Azuma Drop Needle Ribbed Print Hoodie【MIDWAY HARDWICK】BR-25439

"A New Material Woven on the Azuma Knitting Machine"

From BARNS OUTFITTERS extensive sweatshirt lineup comes a potential new staple for this season — the “Azuma Sweatshirt.” This piece is crafted from a new material woven using the Azuma knitting machine, a vintage machine primarily used in the 1970s. Positioned in speed between traditional sinker machines and high-speed knitters, the Azuma machine creates fabric that is both soft and plush, yet retains excellent structure and resilience. The sweatshirt also features needle-punched ribbing, giving it a distinctly vintage-inspired look. This season, BARNS OUTFITTERS proudly introduces a confident new standard that has the potential to become a wardrobe staple. Inspired by a fictional club team from the area once called Midway Hardwick.

"MIDWAY HARDWICK"

In 1950, the area was first recorded in the U.S. Census as an unincorporated region not included in any municipality, and it was designated again in the 1980 Census. In 2010, it was renamed Hardwick, the name it holds today. The area historically developed around the Central State Hospital, one of the largest mental health institutions in the U.S., and in the 19th century, it was home to Oglethorpe University. This design imagines a fictional sports club team from that region, blending collegiate aesthetics with retro sci-fi elements for the team apparel. The print features a cracked effect, giving it a vintage-inspired finish.

The oversized kangaroo pocket on the front adds practicality, allowing you to go out hands-free for quick errands.

By adopting raglan sleeves, the range of motion is expanded and shoulder bulk is reduced when wearing an outer layer. The design is focused on providing a stress-free wearing experience.

The ribbing at the neckline, cuffs, and hem features a needle-punched rib construction. By omitting needles at regular intervals during knitting, this technique creates a textured, ridged appearance. Inspired by vintage sweatshirts from before the 1950s, this detail gives the piece a classic, timeless feel.

The fabric, slowly and gently knitted, combines the softness and resilience unique to vintage knitting machines. Its structure resists deformation, making it a durable piece that lasts for years. The brushed interior adds warmth, creating a lightweight yet cozy sweatshirt, perfect for fall and winter wear.