CARL J. PERMIN A/S

What CARL J. PERMIN A/S does

Carl J. Permin A/S is a Danish family-owned handicraft supplies company founded on April 1, 1854, in inner Copenhagen by Christian Permin. Originally focused exclusively on embroidery products, the company expanded into knitting yarn over time to become a total supplier for embroidery and knitting articles globally. Today it is headquartered in Brøndby, Denmark, with a lean team of 9 employees, and operates under the brands 'Permin - Danish Art Needlework' for embroidery and 'by Permin' for knitting yarn, along with the ONIONKnit sub-brand for sustainable/organic yarn lines.

The company's core offering spans two main categories: knitting (strik) and embroidery (broderi). Knitting products include over 50 proprietary yarn qualities under the 'by Permin' brand (ranging from alpaca and cashmere to recycled fibers) plus the ONIONKnit sustainable collection, an extensive library of knitting patterns organized by garment type and audience, and accessories including Addi needles and crochet hooks. Embroidery products include complete kits organized by theme (Christmas, Nordic, Animals, Maritime, etc.), Aida and linen fabrics in multiple counts, and premium threads from distributed brands (DMC, Anchor, Madeira). The company also distributes major international craft brands — DMC, Anchor, Madeira, Addi, Rico Design, Durable, and Eva Rosenstand — for the Scandinavian market.

The business model is wholesale-only: Carl J. Permin A/S distributes exclusively through a dealer and retailer network, not directly to consumers. The company website (permin.dk) operates as a product catalog and inspiration platform only, explicitly directing private customers to their dealer network. Geographic markets served include Denmark, Norway, and Sweden primarily, with global distribution through regional distributors. Marketing relies on standard digital analytics (Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel) and multilingual website presence across Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, English, and German. The company holds OEKO-TEX certification on certain yarn lines and has remained continuously family-owned since its founding 170+ years ago.

Name

CARL J. PERMIN A/S

Legal name

Carl J. Permin A/S

Website

https://permin.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1854

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Carl J. Permin A/S is a Danish family-owned handicraft supplier founded in 1854, offering knitting yarn, embroidery products, patterns, and accessories through a wholesale dealer network across Scandinavia and international markets, with no direct-to-consumer sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Handicraft Supplies Wholesale

NAICS

Piece Goods, Notions, and Other Dry Goods Merchant Wholesalers (424310)

SIC

Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130)

akta.pro primary industry

Notions & Sewing Accessories Retail (Thread, Needles, Zippers, Buttons) (CRALADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Yarn, Knitting & Crochet Shops (CRALADAC), Needlepoint & Embroidery Shops (CRALADAE)

Keywords

• Knitting yarn supplies
• Embroidery kits wholesale
• Handicraft materials
• Needlework accessories
• Yarn distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Brøndby

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Carl J. Permin A/S is a Danish family-owned wholesale supplier of handicraft materials founded in 1854. It markets its own knitting yarn brand "by Permin" (50+ yarn qualities), the embroidery brand "Permin — Danish Art Needlework", and the organic yarn line "ONIONKnit", alongside distributed international brands (DMC, Anchor, Madeira, Rico Design, Addi, Durable, Eva Rosenstand). Products include embroidery kits, Aida/linen/Hardanger fabrics, embroidery threads, knitting patterns, sock yarns, knitting needles and crochet hooks, and accessories, sold exclusively through a dealer/retailer network rather than direct-to-consumer.

Product overview

Carl J. Permin A/S is a Danish family-owned company founded in 1854, operating as a total supplier for handicrafts globally. The company offers two main product categories: Knitting (strik) and Embroidery (broderi). Under knitting, it provides proprietary yarn brands Garn by Permin (by Permin) and ONIONKnit, along with an extensive library of knitting patterns organized by garment type, yarn quality, and target audience. The company also distributes major international yarn and craft brands including Rico Design, DMC, Addi, Madeira, Anchor, Durable, and Eva Rosenstand. Embroidery offerings include complete kits, fabric materials (Aida, linen, evenweave), embroidery threads, and accessories. Permin serves retailers worldwide and does not sell directly to consumers through its website.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• by Permin: Own brand for knitting yarn marketed under this sub-brand
• ONIONKnit

Products and services

• Garn by Permin Proprietary knitting yarn brand featuring over 50 yarn qualities (e.g., Agnes, Alice, Angel, Bella, Esther, Solvej) in materials ranging from alpaca, cashmere, cotton, linen, merino wool, and recycled fibres, marketed under the by Permin sub-brand for sale through authorised dealers to home crafters.
• ONIONKnit Sustainable yarn collection under the Permin umbrella featuring organic cotton, mohair, wool, cashmere, silk, and nettles, including yarn qualities such as Organic Cotton, Mohair+Wool, Cashmere, and various Organic Wool+Nettles blends, along with corresponding knitting patterns.
• Knitting Patterns (Opskrifter) Extensive library of knitting patterns organised by garment type (vest, top, accessories), yarn quality, and target audience (baby, children, women, men), including free patterns, Rico patterns, and ONIONKnit patterns.
• Knitting and Crochet Accessories Wide range of knitting and crochet accessories including effect yarns, books, project bags, crochet hooks, markers, stitch markers, scissors, sock stop, and knitting needles (circular needles, double-pointed needles, interchangeable needles).
• Embroidery Kits Complete embroidery kits with various motifs including pictures, bookmarks, table runners, baptism items, Christmas decorations, cushions, and towels, organised by themes such as Around the World, Baby and Child, Botany, Denmark, Animals, Birds, Hardanger, Hunting, Culinary, Christmas, Maritime, Nordic, and Easter.
• Embroidery Fabric (Metervarer) Various embroidery fabrics including Aida in multiple counts (340, 352, 354, 355, 356, 357, 359, 957), linen, evenweave, Hardanger, French Aida, and Zweigart brands, as well as precut fabric options.
• Embroidery Thread Embroidery threads from major brands including DMC (Mouliné, Mouliné Coloris, Color Variation, metallic, wool yarn), Anchor (Marlitt, Mouliné, metallic, wool yarn, neon, linen), and Madeira (metallic).
• Eva Rosenstand Danish embroidery brand featuring kits with various types (table runners, Christmas items, pictures, tablecloths) and motifs including animals, birds, children, nature, hunting, landscapes, botany, Nordic themes, Christmas, and maritime subjects.
• Rico Design German yarn and craft brand distributed by Permin, featuring cotton yarn, effect yarns, Creative, Luxury, Fashion, sock yarn, basic, felt yarn, giant skeins, chenille and pompon, and Rico knitting patterns.
• DMC Premium embroidery thread and craft brand including Babylo crochet yarns, Natura, baby yarn, Brio, Eco Vita, Knitty, and various embroidery threads.
• Addi German premium knitting needle and crochet hook brand including crochet hooks, CraSy Trio, double-pointed needles, circular needles, Addi Click interchangeable needles, and accessories.
• Madeira Premium embroidery thread and yarn brand featuring metallic embroidery threads and glitter thread for crafting.
• Anchor Embroidery thread brand featuring Marlitt, Mouliné, metallic, wool yarn, neon, and Anchor Linen product lines for various embroidery techniques.
• Durable Yarn brand featuring Durable Coral, Durable Comfy, Durable Glam, Durable Soqs Tweed, Durable Soqs, Durable Starlux, and sock yarns.
• Sock Yarns Sock yarns from multiple brands including Permin sock yarn, Onion sock yarn, Rico sock yarn, Arne & Carlos, Durable sock yarn, and reinforcement/stopping yarns.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Anchor (Coats brand)minorOthersAnchor is a yarn brand distributed by Permin. Permin offers Anchor products including Crafty, Puppets Eldorado, Lyric, and Metallic yarn lines through their dealer network.
• DMCminorOthersDMC is a leading embroidery thread and yarn brand distributed by Permin. Products include Babylo, Natura, Babygarn, Brio, Eco Vita, Knitty and related embroidery/knitting supplies.
• MadeiraminorOthersMadeira is a brand of embroidery floss and metallic thread distributed by Permin, including Glimmergarn (glitter yarn) and Glimmertråd (glitter thread).
• Rico DesignminorOthersRico Design is a yarn brand distributed by Permin, offering cotton yarn, effect yarn, Creative, Luxury, Fashion, sock yarn, Basic, felt yarn, chenille, bubble textures, and patterns.
• DurableminorOthersDurable is a yarn brand distributed by Permin, including Durable Coral, Comfy, Glam, Soqs Tweed, Soqs, and Starlux product lines.
• AddiminorOthersAddi is a brand of knitting needles and crochet hooks distributed by Permin, including circular needles, double-pointed needles, Addi Click system, and accessories.
• Eva RosenstandminorOthersEva Rosenstand is an embroidery brand distributed by Permin, offering embroidered cushion kits and decorative items.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• DMC: French embroidery thread and craft brand that is both a distributed partner and a comparable supplier of embroidery threads, kits, and patterns. Closely overlaps with Permin's broderi category.
• Rico Design: German yarn and craft brand offering cotton, effect, fashion, sock, and felt yarns plus patterns. Distributed by Permin but also a competitor for shelf space at Scandinavian dealers.
• Hobbii: Danish yarn and handicraft brand selling knitting yarn, patterns, and notions globally with a modern DTC e-commerce model. Direct competitor to Permin's knitting yarn and accessories catalog, particularly for Scandinavian craft consumers.
• Prym: German manufacturer of sewing, knitting, and crochet notions including needles, hooks, and tools. Directly comparable to the Addi-branded and accessory categories in Permin's knitting accessories range.
• Drops Design / Garnstudio: Norwegian yarn brand with a large free pattern library and global online distribution. Comparable to Permin's by Permin and ONIONKnit knitting yarn lines and pattern content offering.

Emerging players

• Scheepjes: Dutch yarn brand with a strong pattern community and DTC presence across Europe. Overlaps with Permin's by Permin and ONIONKnit yarns on premium natural-fiber and effect yarns.
• KnitPro: Specialist manufacturer of interchangeable knitting needle and crochet hook sets. Competes with the Addi accessories Permin distributes and serves the same hobbyist knitter segment.

Regional players

• Stof & Stil: Nordic fabric, yarn, and hobby retail chain with physical stores across Scandinavia. Competes with Permin's dealer network for end-customer mindshare in the regional craft retail channel.

Broad incumbents

• Søstrene Grene: Danish lifestyle and hobby retailer operating a large store network across Northern Europe with a meaningful handicraft and yarn assortment. Indirect competitor for the same Scandinavian craft consumer wallet.
• Coats Group (Anchor): Global industrial thread and yarn group that owns the Anchor craft brand distributed by Permin. Broad incumbent in sewing thread, embroidery thread, and handknitting yarns with overlapping product lines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carl-j.-permin-a-s

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CARL J. PERMIN A/S