A Chat With Knitwear Designer, Meiju of Meiju Knits

We love being able to work with and offer yarn support to talented knitwear designers all over the world. This time we’ve been chatting to the incredible Meiju Kallio, of Meiju Knits. Meiju is based in Helsinki and designs modern classic knitwear, publishes her own patterns, and has her own book, ‘Contrasts’, published by Laine. One of Meiju’s newest patterns, the Bedizen jumper, uses our very own Devonia DK and we think it’s a perfect pairing!  

In this interview, Meiju has kindly let us pick her creative brain! Discover how she came to work full time in the knitting industry, what makes her tick as a designer, and what’s on the horizon for Meiju Knits…

Tell us a bit about your journey into knitting and your background?

My name is Meiju Kallio. I started knitting at around the age of 8. My grandmother taught me the first stitches, but I didn’t really get excited until my teenage years, when we knitted mittens and socks at school. As a teenager, I designed and knitted my first sweaters. Knitting was forgotten during my university years studying social psychology, but I picked it up again while expecting my first child 17 years ago. Initially, I knitted socks, but after discovering Ravelry, I soon started knitting scarves and sweaters again.

How did that path lead you into designing?

I knitted a lot with my mom friends, and we had a small knitting club that met regularly. We escaped the everyday life of motherhood by going to cafes to knit. We were yarn enthusiasts, growing our yarn stash and sharing our knitting experiences. I’ve always enjoyed modifying patterns and knitting on my own terms. Then I realized one day that I had the yarn, but couldn’t find a suitable pattern for it, so I designed my own.

I considered writing down the pattern, and my friends encouraged me. Soon I had written one pattern, then another, and another. I realized I could put them up for sale on Ravelry to cover the cost of yarn. It all started gradually, and a couple of years later, I founded my own company. Now, I can’t imagine living without knitting or designing. Currently, I work full-time in the knitting industry. My day job is at the Finnish media company A-lehdet, where I produce the magazine “Beloved patterns” and produce instructions for the magazine “Kotivinkki”, that is a household and lifestyle magazine. I don’t design for them, but I do technical editing and produce craft content. In my free time, I run my own business, Meiju Knits.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Everywhere. I follow fashion and browse Pinterest and Instagram. I study knitting books, patterns in architecture, fabrics, nature, and the environment. Sometimes I see repetitive patterns in unusual places, for example, the Viljanen Pullover represents the repeating shapes of crop fields in August. The best ideas come to me while knitting – that’s when my mind wanders, and I think about knitting while knitting, often coming up with new ideas in the process. I also have creative periods where I dream about knitting. Some of these ideas do get lost, though, as I forget them before I have a chance to write them down!

What do you like to get up to in your time that you’re not working?

I consider designing and the computer-related aspects of knitting as my work, but I still don’t consider knitting as work. That’s why I continue to knit a lot in my free time, but I also love dancing salsa, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, and other forms of exercise. I also spend time with my dog and children.

What are some of the unique challenges of being a knitwear designer?

I’ve always considered the biggest challenge in knitwear design to be the lack of time to knit all the ideas that come to mind, or that are found in my sketchbook. There simply isn’t enough time! Even if I had helper needles, I still wouldn’t be able to produce all the designs that come to mind. Gradually, I’ve learned to accept this, and there’s nothing to be done about the problem.

Another issue is that I’m always at work. Sometimes it’s difficult to switch my brain out of knitting mode, so I try to engage in other activities. My body gets stiff if I only knit, so I need exercise for my own well-being as well.

What do you love the most about your job?

I love knitting the most, would you have guessed?! Also, the satisfaction of finishing a pattern and casting on stitches for a new project is wonderful. Those moments when I got my first knitting book (Contrasts – Texture Knitting) in my hands and saw the result of my work were amazing and felt great. I was also pleasantly surprised by the wonderful reception the book received and how much people liked it.

Can you walk us through your design process from idea to publishing?

First comes the idea, and ideas can come from anywhere at any time. Then I choose the yarn for my idea, although often the yarns themselves also inspire ideas, so this step in the process can usually happen in a different order as well. After that, I make a gauge swatch or swatches and carefully consider what I’m doing. Then I often grade my work and ensure that the idea works in all sizes. After that, I write the pattern and knit the sample. While knitting the sample, I often make adjustments as I go. Then I send the pattern to a technical editor and then to be test knitted. The process concludes when I publish.

Do you have a favourite of your patterns?

My favourite knits also change over time, often I really like the ones I’ve just released. But my all-time personal favourites are: Abellio, Long Road Pullover, Hilpu, Candlelight Pullover, Hento and Hento Cardigan, Puffed Polo, Viljanen Pullover, Aureed, Silversmith Hoodie. And for shawls, Softly Together Shawl is my favourite.

What advice would you give to aspiring designers?

Learn, learn, learn, and utilize technical editing AND test knitting to receive feedback on your patterns. A skilled technical editor, while potentially expensive, can greatly assist in crafting clear and high-quality patterns.

Do you have any plans / goals for the future that you’d like to tell us about?

I hope that soon I will have time to write another knitting book. I already have many ideas for it, but I just need to find enough time to implement them. Also, I wish to continue publishing patterns and grow my business a little more, so I could hire some permanent help.

Where are the best places to find you?

Currently, at my home in Helsinki. 😀 I recently purchased a new home where I have a perfect home studio where I usually work and create. Also, I will be visiting Lapland a couple of times this year and you will also find me walking my dog in north Helsinki.

And just a few fun questions for good measure…

We love a snack here at the mill, what is your favourite things to munch when you’re having a break from designing?

I never say ‘no’ to good chocolate or toffee candies. But most often, I snack on fruits and/or sandwiches.

Do you watch / listen to anything when you’re working?

While I am doing computer work, I never watch or listen anything because it distracts my concentration. However, while I knit, I usually watch TV, listen to an audiobook or music.

Any pets?

Yes, a little puppy called Nipsu arrived to me last November. She is an Australian Labradoodle and the joy and irritation of my days, as she steals my yarn balls and unravels my work.

Thank you so much Meiju for giving us an insight into your world. We can’t wait to see what you do next!

Meiju’s Links

Instagram    —   YouTube   —   Ravelry   —   Payhip   —   LoveCrafts