At 4T2D, community has always been at the heart of what we do. From knitting every beanie in Vermont to partnering with local retailers who share our values, we believe the best ideas often come from close to home. This season, one of those ideas came from an unexpected and incredibly inspiring place.
Local kids.
Thanks to a thoughtful collaboration with the REI Williston team, we had the opportunity to bring a kids’ beanie design contest to life, and the result was one of our favorite projects to date.
A Special Partnership With REI Williston
REI in Williston has been committed to supporting local manufacturing for years, and this season, we were incredibly grateful to have them carry 4T2D beanies in their store. As our relationship with the REI team grew, they approached us with a creative idea that immediately stood out.
What if local kids were invited to design a beanie?
The concept was simple and powerful. Give kids the freedom to be as creative as possible, then select a favorite design and turn it into a real, wearable beanie made right here in Vermont.
We did not hesitate to say yes.
Turning Creativity Into Something Real
The contest invited kids to submit original beanie designs, with no rules beyond letting their imagination lead the way. The submissions were colorful, playful, and full of personality, exactly what you would hope to see when kids are given creative freedom.
After reviewing the designs, one stood out immediately:
The winning design was created by Luca Letsos, featuring a bold and colorful moose that perfectly captured both Vermont character and kid-driven creativity. The design felt fun, expressive, and full of life, and we knew right away it was something special.
From Drawing to Finished Beanie
Once Luca’s design was selected, it was time to bring it to life.
The beanie was produced at our sister facility, Fourbital Factory, which specializes in custom knit beanies for brands, events, and organizations. This part of the process is what made the project truly unique. A drawing created by a local kid was translated into a professionally knit beanie, produced by skilled craftspeople in Vermont.
Seeing the design move from paper to production was incredibly rewarding for everyone involved. It was a reminder of what is possible when creativity, community, and local manufacturing come together.
Why This Project Matters to Us
This contest was about more than just a beanie.
It was about encouraging creativity, showing kids that their ideas have value, and demonstrating how local partnerships can create something meaningful. It also highlighted the power of keeping manufacturing close to home, where ideas can move quickly from concept to reality.
Projects like this are exactly why we do what we do. They remind us that making things locally is not just about products. It is about people, stories, and shared experiences.
Thank You to Everyone Involved
We would like to extend a huge thank you to Luca Letsos for the incredible creative inspiration and for sharing such a fun, memorable design with us.
Thank you also to the REI Williston team for supporting local manufacturing and for making this project possible. Their commitment to community and creativity is something we truly admire.
We are proud to have been part of this collaboration, and we hope it inspires more projects that bring local voices and ideas into the products we wear every day.