graduate_careers

Textile Graduates

This page features graduates who have been finalists in the Knitted Textile Student Awards Competition or those who have had contact with this website during their degree.

The information listed is as accurate as possible and aims to give current or would-be students an idea of jobs open to them once they qualify.

Click here if you have graduated from University and would like to be included

Students are listed in alphabetical order:

Max Alexander


I am Ahab	Knitters Necklace	Mr Pink and Mr Yellow	Severed Head

I graduated from Camberwell College of Arts in 2007 with a degree in Sculpture.

Whilst at college I worked on knitted sculptures and knitted animations. After graduating I exhibited knitted artworks at a number of venues in London including the Affordable Art Fair where I ran a workshop on knitting blood and eyeballs.I am currently running a handmade jewellery business specialising in knitting themed jewellery and accessories as well as working on new sculptures and animations. This Summer I am working on a game with lots of knitted features for the V&A Village fete with a fellow Sculpture graduate Isabel Vince.

Click here to contact Max

Click here for Max's website

Eleanor Amoroso

I graduated from University of Westminster in Summer 2010, where I studied fashion design but have always been preoccupied with textiles and knits.

For my graduate collection I used long lengths of fringing which I knotted together using macrame techniques to create 'knitwear' pieces. Each piece is made completely by hand using macrame techniques.

Click here to contact Eleanor

Victoria Bulmer

Finalist, Knitted Student Textile Awards 2008: Graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Dundee, 2008

Currently in Orkney on placement with Tait and Style -and absolutely loving it! Victoria is designing a new collection for Tait and Style. Tait and Style are in the middle of a studio move, but hope to have a new collection designed by the end of the year. Victoria has also exhibited her work recently and intends to apply for the Royal college of Art as she would like to progress her work a lot more and take it into fashion.

Click here to contact Victoria

Kandy Diamond


I 'heart' snow scarf	Commissions for Lady Luck	Pencil Scarves	Knitted Pumps

Finalist, Knitted Student Textile Awards 2006: Graduated from The University of Manchester 2006

Set up my own label 'Knit and Destroy' in October 2006 I run my own small business, designing and making a wide range of knitted accessories and home wares. I'm currently supplying to a variety of shops in the UK, Europe and USA. My custom knits include: Lady Luck Rules OK, (London based jewellery brand, November 2007 - Present), Lazy Oaf, scarf and other commission designs (2007 - 2008), 'Pimp my pumps', commissioned knitted pumps for touring exhibition (September 2007), Superette shop window display, knitted props (July & December 2007)

I have been lecturing in knitted textiles at The University of Manchester since September 08. I also took workshops in 3D manipulated textiles, machine knitting and crochet to final year BTEC fashion students at Chesterfield College from March-May 2007. I am hoping to study an MA in textiles in order to further my knowledge of knitwear for fashion and am looking to branch out into making garments under my label 'Knit and Destroy'.

Click here to contact Kandy

Click here for website

Young Ju Do


All images: 'Butterfly Life'

Finalist, Knitted Student Textile Awards 2008: Graduated from Central St Martins, London 2008

Young Ju is working as an intern for Celine in the knitwear department

Click here to contact Young Ju

Jennifer Jarvis

Finalist Pringle visionary knitwear award 2008. Selected for the final Gala Show and entered for the Gold award at Graduate fashion week 2008: Graduated from De Montfort, Leicester 2008

Currently working for Felder Felder's Spring/Summer '09 and for De Montfort university in an ethical knitting project.

Jennifer is currently working for Mark Fast and Acorn Conceptual textiles (Summer 2009)

Click here to contact Jennifer

Click here for Jennifer's Knitwear Fashion blog

Kate Jenkins


Wish You Were Here	Pop Up Shop	Kate's Cafe	Window Detail

Kate graduated in 1995 from University of Brighton with a BA Hons degree in Fashion/Textiles with business studies.

Brighton-based knitwear company Cardigan was set up by Kate Jenkins in 2003 to fulfil her philosophy that anything can be created from yarn as long as it is made with love. With a strong emphasis on colour and innovative witty details, Cardigan has become synonymous with the creation of beautiful knitted and crocheted fashion and art.

Before founding Cardigan, Kate spent time working with some of the world's most prestigious fashion designers including Marc Jcobs, Donna Karan, Missoni and Sonia Rykiel. In 2007 Kate created an exhibition called 'comfort food' which featured series of crocheted plates of food raging from fish and chips to patisserie cakes. Since then the art has gone from strength to strength. 2008 saw Kate create a knitted and crocheted garden entitled 'Cardigan in Bloom' this led to her being asked by LIberty of London to create an exhibition of box framed insects which was displayed in their store during the summer. Kate's work is now represented by The Rebecca Hossack Gallery her work has been shown at art fairs in New York, London, Paris, Toronto and Amsterdam. This year saw Kate have her fist solo show of her work, her exhibition entitled "Kate's Cafe' where she turned the gallery into a fantasy cafe where everything was made out of yarn. Kate has been working on various projects over the past year and continues to promote her label 'Cardigan'.

Click here to contact Kate

Click here for kate's website

Emma Kasyan

Finalist, Knitted Student Textile Awards 2008: Graduated from Central St Martins, London 2008

Emma has an internship in Stella McCartney's studio knitting department

Click here to contact Emma

Charlotte Liddle


Stitch and Sparkle	Embellished Ballet Shoes

After graduating in 2005 from Huddersfield with a degree in textile crafts I set up in business as a freelance textile designer, maker and tutor. I create and sell embroidered and highly embellished fabric and paper designs for children's clothing and bedding as well as working to commission and on specific design briefs for clients such as Tigerprint and Redhill Productions. My work is unique and displays interesting combinations of colour, pattern and texture. I create hand made accessories, ballet shoes, skirts, peg dolls, cards and craft kits, which are sold through my website and in a number of prestigious retail outlets, the most famous being Liberty and Designers Guild in London. During the last year I have become more involved in educational projects, I now work closely with Darlington-based company Melting Pot Arts as a workshop leader, delivering contemporary textile and costume sessions to both children and adults in schools and community groups. From February 2008 I will lead weekly stitch groups in Darlington which promote a modern approach to stitch and textile craft.

Coats Crafts UK published my first craft book 'Stitch and Sparkle' in summer 2007. It has proved popular with all age ranges and abilities. Following the success of Stitch and Sparkle I am now working on the second edition with co-author Rachel Henderson. The new book is entitled 'Stitch Divas' and is aimed at girls aged 9-15. Both Rachel and I are passionate about getting more young people enthusiastic and inspired about stitch and are hoping our book will give them the skills to make their very own knitted, crocheted, felted and embroidered textile pieces.

My work has been featured in high circulation craft magazines such as Cloth Paper Scissors, Craft Beautiful, Quick and Crafty, Cross Stitcher and Sewing World.

Click here for Charlotte's website

Susie Johns


	Grey Silk Top	Crocheted Camisole

Having studied Fine Art at the Slade School, Susie worked as a magazine and partworks editor for 11 years before going freelance in 1996. Since then, as well as her magazine work, she has written and illustrated books on a variety of creative subjects, including knitting and crochet. Titles include Crochet for Beginners (Carroll & Brown, 2006), Street Chic Jewellery (New Holland, 2008), Colourwork Stitches (Harmony Guides, 2009), Knitted Flowers (Search Press, 2009) and The Felted Bag Book (New Holland,
2009).

Her work spans a number of disciplines and she particularly enjoys activities that involve recycling and reinventing. Susie is a qualified teacher and runs a weekly drawing and painting class at a college near her home in Greenwich, South East London. Susie exhibits her work in local group shows two or three times a year, and participates in the Blackheath Art Society's annual ‘open studios’. She was an ‘Art of the Stitch’ exhibitor in 2001.

Click here to contact Susie

Click here to see more of Susie's work

Ode Marie


'Le Chapelou', knitted monster	Hand knitted covering chair & crochetted rug	Knitted necklace and bangle	Supersized chain

I completed a BTS Textile Design at the E.N.S.A.A.M.A, Olivier de Serres in Paris in 2005.

After graduating from E.N.S.A.A.M.A, I enrolled at the Central Saint Martins collage in London to do a BA in Textile design and specialised in knitting. This experience both improved my knowledge of textiles and enabled me to meet people from all around the world; expanding my interests and discovering different cultures.

I am originally from France and grew up in the countryside of Normandy. Ever since I was little I have been interested in the different handicraft processes and at 15 years old I began to study Applied Arts. Discovering textiles in Paris was a revelation: my interest in the manipulation of materials, colour and drawing could all be translated in this medium.

I am currently working on my own project to try to produce my own brand and style. Ideally, I would like to collaborate with companies to produce my own knitted objects. I am also interested in designing for childrenswear and trends forecasting.

Click here to contact Ode Marie

Click here for Ode Marie's blog

Claire Montgomerie


Crocheted Flowers	Houndscarf

Graduated in Constructed Textiles MA at the Royal College of Art, London in 2004

Since graduating in 2004, Claire has been designing her own eclectic range of hand made accessories, toys and garments under the name of Monty. She likes to keep her hands busy and so is also constantly working on many different projects, such as making puppets for music videos, designing patterns for craft books and magazines and teaching textiles at many different levels. She also tries to satisfy her yarn cravings by working one day a week in the London yarn shop, Loop.

Claire has three published books: Easy Baby Knits and Easy Kids Knits (Ryland, Peters and Small), collections of simple yet beautiful children’s clothing for beginners and improvers and Yarn Palette (Readers Digest), an experimental pattern book which concentrates on playing with colour and texture.

Click here to contact Claire

Click here to view more of Claire's work

Mimi Milburn


Japanese Kimono	Japanese Kimono

Finalist, Knitted Student Textile Awards 2008: Graduated from Central St Martins, London 2008

Now working in Costume design for the stage, and also working in general wardrobe/styling for short films and photographic shoots. Mimi is also planning more exhibitions around the south and west of England.

Click here to contact Mimi

Kari-Helene Rane


Allegro	Angel	Cleo	Olivia

After graduating from Kingston University, London in 2005, and being a finalist in the Knitted Textile competition I worked as a freelance
knitwear designer for different labels and publishers in London.

Currently I am launching a company with two business partners who found me via the ukhandknitting.com website! Purl Alpaca Designs had its launch at the Alexandra Palace Knitting and Stitching show October 2008.

Click here for website

Noriko Sawano

Winner of the Hand Knit/Crochet category in the Knitted Student Textile Awards 2008: Graduated from Central St Martins, London, 2008

Noriko had her winning design featured in the 2009 Spring issue of American Vogue. She is going to work as a Freelance knitwear designer for fashion, but is also happy to make knitwear for contemporary costume and fine art.

Update for 2010: Noriko has been making all the knitted items for Gareth Pugh's Summer and Autumn 2010 collections

Click here to contact Noriko

Sally Spinks


'Mummy still loves you' (Straight Jacket)	'Ex' (Knitted From Steel Wool )	'Mum'	'I should be so lucky'

Sally Spinks graduated with a Masters in Fine Art from Goldsmith's, London in 2008

She works mainly with textiles including hand and machine knitting. She has an interest in how issues of control and consumerism impact on the changing nature of the class system and her work explores areas where these intersect with home, identity and a sense of belonging to both our past and future. Using predominately domestic materials she produces either installation works or sculptural pieces.

Since graduating Sally has exhibited in the UK and the US and continues to develop her artistic practice in both knitting and other textile medium. Like many other knitting enthusiasts, she was taught to knit at an early age by her mother and has a sister and aunt who are just as passionate about the craft. Along with them she has also knitted garments for use in major feature films as well as working with fashion designers.

After over 20 years working in media organisations, Sally returned to full-time education to undertake a Masters in Fine Art at Goldsmiths College. Previously Sally had been the Head of Learning Design at the BBC and it was whilst at the BBC she completed a Masters in Management Learning in 2000. She still works as a consultant in the field of learning design for several corporate clients, particularly in the areas of creativity, leadership development and executive coaching. She also designs knitted textiles and knits garments for use in major feature films.

Click here to contact Sally

Click here to view more of Sally's work

Jemma Sykes


Butcher Couture	Peruvian Inspired	70s Inspired Jaquard	Fine Mohair

Since graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2003, I've been working as a freelance knitted textile designer.

In 2003 I won the Texprint Prize for Knit, and in 2004 I was awarded the Crafts Councils Development Award. I design personal collections to sell, and collaborate developing fabrics specifically for fashion houses, past clients include Alexander Mcqueen and Michiko Koshino in London, Lanvin, Givenchy and Emanuel Ungaro in Paris, Fuzzi and Etro in Italy. I have also produced garments for Givenchys Haute Couture collections and worked with Michiko Koshino on numerous showpieces.
In 2005 I was asked to participate in the Crafts Councils "Knit 2tog" exhibition, and in 2006 I worked with the Italian yarn company Lineapiu producing inspirational pieces for the yarn show Pitti Filati in Florence. I also tutor part time at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College on their Knitted Textile course.

Updates for 2008 include further teaching at The Royal College of Art and Central St Martins, new clients include Julien Macdonald and Biba (garments for their fashion shows) also my work has been displayed in the windows of Harrods and Selfridges/London and recently Sheffield Millennium galleries commisioned a piece for "Get Knitted".

Click here for more information about Jemma's work

Click here to contact Jemma

Patimarkorn Tangsakul

Since graduating from Buckinghamshire New University in Textiles and Surface Design in 2009, I have been working as Freelance knitwear designer for Zinc Design Ltd in London.

Recently, I have knitted a chair cover for Deborah Hiscock (Furniture Design). It will be shown at New Designers 2010, London from 8-11 July 2010.
I also have entered recycled newspaper competition and hand&Lock competition so I have been making different style of works.

Click here to contact Patimarkorn

Donna Wilson

Donna studied Design and Craft at Gray’s school of Art in Aberdeen, Scotland before gaining an MA in mixed Media and Constructed Textiles at The Royal College of Art, London. She graduated in 2003.

Whilst studying Wilson began creating and selling her creatures and after graduating, set up her studio, which now produces hand-made products for sale in independent design shops in over 15 countries.Donna Wilson’s Studio prides itself on keeping the production hand made and UK based allowing the end product to be unique and have its very own character. As with all of Wilson’s studio work, the productive relationship between designer and activity where the handmade is a creative necessity.

Donna is delighted to announce the launch of her new designs at the Milan Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2009. Donna has worked with SCP for the past 3 years, and this year she has designed a sofa, chair, knitted pouf’s as well as a range traditionally woven Welsh blankets and cushions. This year is already proving to be an exciting year, with her first major solo show at the Lighthouse in Glasgow. For ‘escape to the woods’ she designed a brightly coloured menagerie of creatures and houses surrounded by an enchanted knitted forest. The show will be hosted by a selection of galleries this summer.

Donna Wilson is one of Scotland’s most notable young textile designers, as well as her infamous knitted creatures, recently spotted in Jamie Theakston’s home feature in this months Living etc, Donna has developed a range of melamine trays, luxurious lambswool throws, and a set of three decorated glasses

Click here to view more of Donna's work

Click here to contact Donna

Andrew Yates


Cabled Horizons	Nautical Abstraction	Cape	Freeform and Intarsia

Andrew graduated from Central Saint Martins in Knitwear Design in 2009.

Since Summer 2009 I've freelanced for various clients. I'm now working on a full time basis for Mark Fast as a Design Assistant, plus I'm freelancing for a new hand knit label in Australia called Adettes which supplies high end designer knitwear in kits to knit yourself.

Click here to view more of Andrew's work

Click here to contact Andrew