In late November, Amelia dropped by the studio/shop to check it out and within a week she was a regular staple in the gang. With her background in hand knitting and keen fashion sense, Amelia says she was attracted to WATG for its fresh perspective, unique vision and forward fashion for knit-lovers, as well as seasoned and novice knitters.
Amelia was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. She attended university for a BA in Women's Studies and Political Science at the University of British Columbia and Portland State University. After working in non-profit for a number of years, she moved to New York to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology for Fashion Design. While living in Brooklyn, attending school, and interning at WATG, she also works as a freelance hand and machine knitter of samples and production for local designers, including Alexander Olch.
How did you start knitting?
When I was in university (the first time) I had a lot of lecture courses and was feeling a bit restless. I really wanted to be making things and thought that knitting would be fun and fit my life, so I checked out a video from the public library and taught myself to knit.
Where's your favorite place to knit?
I would knit everywhere if I could, and I've tried, but I'd say my favorite place is at home while listening to an audio book and enjoying a good cup of coffee.
How does knitting make you feel?
I love working in 3D; it's kind of how my brain works. So knitting feels like the ultimate means of building from a simple material to a fully constructed garment. Not only does it feel like the perfect match for me personally, but also that I am a part of something larger than myself - something with a rich history and a continual influence on what we wear.
Do you prefer to knit for yourself or for others?
I mostly knit for others, but nothing quite compares to seeing or imagining a shape or style you like and whipping a little something up for yourself.
What is your favorite yarn and stitch?
I am loving the Shiny Happy Cotton right now - especially with the weather warming, it's so nice to knit and it's amazingly soft. I don't think that I have a favorite stitch, but rather that I love to find the perfect stitch for the situation - depending on the vision of the end use, yarn, weight, hand, drape, etc.
What project are you working on now?
I have been working on swatches for my portfolio, but I also have the "Over My Shoulders" project on needles at home, just waiting for a free moment.
WATG INTERVIEWS — Amelia Burrus-Granger
WATG Interviews — Mariko Munro
Introducing our friend Mariko Munro, a Wool And The Gang fan we meet through The Smile in occasion of our US launch in February 2009. She's working at 303 Gallery and was pleased to answer our first knitter interview.
How did you start knitting?
Knitted as a child, loved it. But I put down my needles long ago, it wasn't until my boyfriend bought me a kit from wool and the gang until I started again.
Where's your favourite place to knit?
At home in front of the TV, but really, I knit everywhere, i mean, EVERYWHERE... During the holidays I made Snood Dog scarves for every woman I work with, at 303 Gallery, it was the best gift I've ever made, but quite an undertaking... At that time I was constantly knitting, at dinner, on lunch, at parties, at home...
How does knitting make you feel?
Calm, accomplished, happy... My boyfriend and friends noticed the difference! I am generally in good spirits when knitting!!
Do you prefer to knit for yourself or others?
For others, but I've made myself a Snood in almost every color
What is your favourite yarn?
The really thick Crazy Sexy Wool yarn!
What project are you working on now?
I'm very committed to the Snood, but perhaps i should try something more "in season"? ... suggestions welcome!
Photo by The Selby
STAFF INTERVIEW — Nadège Winter
Hi Nadège! What is your position in the gang?
— I'm in charge of the style and involved in the story, the brand image through events, collaborations with other brands, places, shops, etc...
A new story, the SUGAR BABY ALPACA, tell us more !
— We were looking for an other soft yarn, another quality, that suits better babies and children's designs and needs. Because it's very important for us to propose a yarn family, worn from the youngest to the oldest!
SUGAR BABY ALPACA first comes out with few pieces designed for babies and children. But in a WATG style, I wanted to create pieces that we don't usually expect using mature colors such navy blye, heather grey or a blue, a dirty green.
We designed for children an oversized sweater, to knit such as Kurt Corbain's one, with ladders, one sleeve longer than the other. And for the little ones we though about the basic kit : bloomer, booties and bonnet but with adult colors and the fluro ribbon as the customized WATG detail.
The yarn is so nice, it has an incredible quality, that allows the most creative crazy designs, even big holes in your sweater ! The follow up of the collection that will comes out in december for adults follows the same rock and grungy-chic spirit. Well, WATG allow you to knit a screwed-up sweater this winter, it's even a must-have!
Tween Spirit sweater in Ultra violet
Return of the CRAZY SEXY WOOL on the 1st of November ??
— Oh yes, i'm completely crazy about it! Can't wait to wear it, to see it knitted! The colors, the designs, I love them so much and CRAZY SEXY WOOL is OUR yarn, our DNA. The big yarn you can knit so quickly, so easily, and that you can wear with style easily, for either men and women. We are crazy about it, who's not?
It's our style heart that we'll keep through the year and maybe even during summer… We also add new colors, the turquoise, a orange-pink and a real black!
By the way I wanted to go further in a story of accessories, it's a jewel collection or a 2-in-1. The XXL scarf has now pockets, the snood is also a hood, a huge hat makes us think of the Siberian hat. We've also imagined shoulder-pads to wear as an accessory, over a vest, a sweater, very 80's revival from this 09-10 fall, but in wool! Can't wait for the winter to come!
The new photoshoot with the parisians — knitting for everybody ?
— We were looking forward to translate the WATG spirit at its roots. The story of a gang, of everyone that appropriates knitting, the yarn, to create its own style. It's incredible how people had pleasure to play the game, and in two seconds wearing our pieces and accessories with attitude, enjoyment, shyness, aplomb... We saw women, men, children, teens, older ladies, chic ones, hippies, hipsters, boys or working girls wearing WATG each single ones in their own ways. The best non-misleading advertising!
What's next? Return of the Baby Alpaca ? It will be soon a year of fashion knitting...
— Not a come back, only a follow up and surprises. We try to stay always connected… no seasons, no collection, some CRAZY SEXY WOOL, some SUGAR BABY ALPACA and then the SHINY HAPPY COTTON that will come back soon ! Some home design, baby design… collaborations…. well, nothing can stop the gang, we just starting to grow up and we rely on the world wide knitters to prove that Wool is cooooooool !!!!
Thanks a lot Nana! You can discover Nadege's voice on the last album of Séverin "Cheesecake", it's the first time she sings and we love it!