Text: Ben Davis (The White Paper)
Translation: Yuto Miyamoto
Video: Masaki Miyamoto
Special Thanks: Taiko Co., Ltd.
In mountainous Nagano prefecture, the origins of the textile industry can be found in sericulture (silk production). Since its founding in 1949, Taiko has overcome various challenges over the past eight decades. Faced with the decline of sericulture and the rise of mass production, the sock maker was the first to develop tabi socks with knitted toes and continues to create new processes and one-of-a-kind products. These include contoured socks with three-dimensional toes, high-performance socks for athletes and socks specifically for trekking, jogging and fishing in the wilds of the Shinano region.
This innovative spirit has seen Taiko create thousands of different socks, while also applying those techniques to making gloves, supports and other items. So when it came to knitting yarn into versatile bottle bags using sock-making techniques, the company proved the perfect match. Asako Sakata from KINTO’s product development team explains the material she selected: "There are so many different yarns available, including cotton, but nylon’s exceptional durability, absorbency and quick-drying properties were ideal for making something both easy to use and made to last."
The design process began with thinking about how to smartly carry a bottle or tumbler. What could be done to carry a bottle without the hassle of condensation, and in a more positive way than just as a bottle cover? This led to the creation of the "Bottle Wrist Bag" with a short strap, and the "Bottle Sling Bag" with a shoulder strap that can be worn over the shoulder like a sacoche. Sakata worked closely with Taiko's engineers and was able to realize the two designs using a flat knitting machine known as WHOLEGARMENT: "Socks are usually made on circular knitting machines, but flat knitting machines knit the yarn flat, horizontally, rather than in a circle, so there are fewer width restrictions and it is possible to make wide products like T-shirts without sewing. There are no patterns, and everything from the number of yarns to the way they move is specified by data, allowing the product to be finished without sewing."
Yet just like crafting a comfortable sock, one of the challenges was finding the right amount of stretch for each part. While the holder itself is designed to expand to fit bottles of various sizes, the nylon material alone proved too stretchy for the strap. This led to polyester yarn being woven into the back of the strap, adding firmness while maintaining a simple aesthetic.
As small as these details may seem, they play an important part in creating an item that fits seamlessly into daily life, enhancing the enjoyment of using KINTO bottles and tumblers. There’s also a stretchy sling bag in the same material, providing yet another way to enjoy textile products on the move, whether you’re riding your bike, walking the dog or relaxing in the park.