Student Experiences from the KnitLAB
Knitwear is a lucrative area in the fashion industry. It brings unique creative opportunities for designers and the chance to work for some of the most well-known brands that value knit for its versatility and saleability.
Hear from our students on how the KnitLAB has broadened their skills and career prospects.
I graduated from the Fashion School in 2016 with my design work focused on knitwear and sustainability and am currently a Sweater Designer for the Ralph Lauren Collection brand. I chose to specialize in knitwear largely due to my learning to knit as a child and having an emotional attachment to it.
When designing knitwear, you automatically design the fabric while also designing a finished garment, offering a unique, engineered 360-degree design approach. The result tends to be a more thoughtful, considered product. Kent State currently offers an up-close look at knit creation for its students, with hands-on machinery experience and programming training that is not often offered elsewhere. Knitwear is typically overlooked as an area of study, so having a robust offering at Kent State is a rare opportunity, especially in the US. There is almost always a high demand for knowledgeable knitwear designers due to the niche, technical nature of the medium, and the lack of properly trained talent. Brands tend to want to offer the knitwear category due to its high salability, but are not well versed in the specialization, making the need for strong, technically skilled designers even more relevant.
Abby Steger
Sweater Designer, Ralph Lauren Collection
I first stumbled upon the world of knitting on a whim when I decided, during my junior year, to take a machine knitting class. However, my perspectives of knitting changed completely after taking my first knit course. Through Kent State’s knit programs, not only did I learn about the wide applications of knitting, but I also gained hands-on experience working with industry-level knit technology such as the industrial hand flats and the more advanced Stoll computerized 3D knitting machines. I truly enjoyed seeing the development of my vision from yarn selection to fabric (and to finished garment) but most importantly having a direct hand in each stage. However, the best part was having access to the Fashion School’s knit resources and passionate instructors who were very encouraging and inspired me to explore deeper into knit technology. The unique advantage of the knitting program’s hands-on approach to instruction gave me the confidence to pursue a career path in the knitting industry. Now, as a Knit Technician at a high-tech knit company, I’m part of a team that is pushing boundaries and innovating in the fashion and knitting industry.
Maame Amoah, Knit Technician, Evolution St. Louis
The Knit Lab at Kent State not only helped me unlock a new possibility of research and creative exploration, but also helped set my application apart from other candidates in the job market. Over the past few years that I’ve worked in fashion design, I’ve learnt that the retail industry favors designers that can successfully move within a variety of aesthetics and constructions. This means they prefer designers that are well-rounded and knowledgeable beyond standard design practices—like the skills I learnt in the Knit Lab. Furthermore, the Lab allows students to grow their knowledge not only in sweater technology, but also in thinking about the technical process behind fabric creation. Having this expertise allowed me to lead strong conversations internally and with vendors when pushing for innovation, sustainability, and unique ideas. Giving students the opportunity to explore their passion for fashion within the Knit Lab will develop them to be both stronger and more curious designers.
Katryn Seeburger, Assistant Designer, Kohl’s Department Stores: Young Women’s, So Knit Tops
Across all industries there is a need to specialize to stay a competitive job candidate, and by specializing in a skill high in demand you set yourself up for high success. Digital knitting positions you not just in fashion, but in interior, automotive, architectural, and innovation sectors. The future of design is in cross-collaboration and sustainability, and knitting is a perfect fit to open those doors into other industries. It’s becoming increasingly more valuable to be a designer with both the technical and aesthetic knowledge. I started knit programming in my sophomore year because I knew I needed to start early to build mastery in a skill. At Kent State, I became known as ‘The Knitting Guy’. I was able to set myself apart from others at the school and within the job market. My specialization in knit programming has landed me internships in Denmark, Netherlands and opportunities throughout different regions within the States. I’m currently a Knit Engineer at Variant in Malibu CA working in textile innovation.
Shuntaro Ogawa
Knit Engineer, Variant