Ever since I saw Whitney Port sporting a gorgeous cream woollen headband in an episode of The City a few months ago, I’ve been searching high and low for something similar – especially as “summer” is coming to an end!
KnitBerry cream headband - love it!
Et voila! Introducing KnitBerry. Knitting everything from scarves and children’s hats to headbands and cowls, founder Lana O’Neill tells me about her inspiration, the future and cracking Australia…
Hi Lana, can you tell me how KnitBerry started out?
KnitBerry was created in October 2007 as a result of a high demand on children’s handmade knits. When my kids were born I used to make them lots of cute hats and sweaters, and people always used to ask me to make them the same outfit for their child or grandchild. I always enjoyed coming up with new designs for kids and women. When I was growing up we always had Burda Fashion Magazines around the house. Just the thought of making something yourself by hand was always fascinating to me.
Your pieces are really creative and individual – where do you get your inspiration from?
My inspirations come from just about anywhere – books, magazines, children’s toys, flowers, vintage clothing from 1920s, patterns on iron gates. I research colour and style for next year’s fashion on an ongoing basis which helps me to come up with fresh ideas. Seeing what designers come up with for the coming year makes me think about what sort of hat of scarf would go with that trend, and then I create it. Sometimes when I go shopping for yarn, just seeing an unusual colour or texture gets me inspired to create a particular item. I guess that’s where you would see particular pieces being so “individual”.
Have you got a favourite piece?
Lana's favourite!
I am planning to come up with more black pieces such as that with colourful embroidered flowers.
Who are you knitting for?
I am knitting for busy women, working mums and for their children. One key piece needs to make a statement and my cowls can definitely do the job. The same can be said about kids hats – they will stand out in a crowd, they are fun and they are warm. I have so many more ideas for fun children’s hats, but sometimes my ideas are faster than my knitting!
Tell me about your headbands – they’re so gorgeous!
Ah, my headbands… They have been very popular. With the headbands, I was surprised to find out that people preferred classic colours to brighter ones. But sometimes you have to go with the demand. Headbands are mostly popular because a lot of people out there do not like hats. Headband is a great replacement. It can be used as both a fashion statement and a functional piece.
How successful has KnitBerry been? What are your plans for the future?
The KnitBerry Brand has been successful locally in US as well as in UK and Australia. It is also very pleasing to me that customers who bought from me before come back the next year and are very satisfied with my product. I am planning to delve into more “out of the box” marketing - good advertising is a big part of success in a small company. I would also love to work with some designers and create some pieces for the runway shows. Recently I have been accepted to participate in a pattern book for Cowls. It is very exciting to have my designs published.
Check out the full range of Lana’s products at www.knitberry.com or at her Etsy.com account.
Happy shopping!
Fabulous interview. I really want one!!