"What are the secrets to beautifully finishing knitted items?" Stylish hand-knitted sweaters that make you want to own and knit them!

These knitted creations are so stylish they look like they stepped right out of a fashion magazine. We spoke at length with Mikiko Umemoto, who has worked as a graphic designer for many years, about everything from her first encounter with knitting to her career as an artist.

 

Knitting has been a familiar part of my life since I was a child.

Mikiko Umemoto, who runs [amuhibi], is from Tanegashima, Kagoshima Prefecture. Her mother ran a yarn shop, so knitting was a very familiar part of her life. "When I was little, all I can remember about my mother is her head bowed, intently knitting. She loved knitting so much."

Ms. Umemoto herself continued knitting until she was in high school, but she couldn't imagine knitting becoming a career. Then, her art club advisor told her about the job of a designer, and she decided to aim to become a graphic designer.

 

To study design, she went to a junior college off the island. After graduating, she worked as a graphic designer and art director based in Fukuoka. Even amidst her busy schedule, she continued knitting. "One day, a curator I met through a local industry branding project asked me to create a piece for an exhibition to be held in Tokyo." Up until then, Umemoto had enjoyed knitting as a hobby, buying books and knitting, inspired by the works of Mariko Mikuni and others. However, this request prompted her to challenge herself to design and knit her own knitwear. She began holding exhibitions in Tokyo every winter, and one of her pieces caught the eye of a famous stylist and was even used as an accessory in a commercial. It was around this time that knitting began to take on a greater importance in Umemoto's life. "I wanted to create something that I truly believed in, rather than something commissioned by someone else, and suddenly, knitting, which had only been a hobby, reappeared before me as my own work."

 

Furthermore, Ms. Umemoto felt a sense of crisis regarding the declining number of people who knit. "For me, knitting is creative, fun, and I never get tired of it. It's a shame not to knit. I thought that in order to let more people know about its charm, the power of design that moves people was necessary. That's why, when I was offered the opportunity to publish, my first thought was to create a knitting book that was like a fashion magazine. I hope to use my experience as an art director to further spread interest in knitting through the power of design."

 

The news that Ms. Umemoto was exhibiting at an exhibition in Tokyo soon reached the ears of people in Fukuoka. "When I had my first exhibition in Fukuoka, I had a lot of free time while I was there, so I held a knitting class for people who had purchased my kits. Even after the exhibition ended, many people wanted me to teach them, so for several years I continued a life of being a graphic designer on weekdays and teaching knitting classes on Saturdays."

 

Everyone can cultivate their sense of style.

Umemoto says that her experience working as a graphic designer and art director has been put to good use in the branding of [amuhibi]. "Compared to overseas, there are fewer types of knitting tools available in Japan, and I myself felt frustrated that I couldn't easily find the designs I wanted. I wanted to sell kits that combine stylish overseas knitting tools and original designs with high-quality imported yarn, and I wanted to run a shop where knitting lovers could enjoy shopping with excitement." Thus, in the fall of 2018, Umemoto opened an online shop. She had planned to work on it at her own pace, but it became busier than she had imagined, so in the spring of 2019, she opened an atelier that also serves as a storage space for her products.

 

Many fans of Ms. Umemoto's work and books are drawn to her overwhelming sense of style, which transcends conventional knitting theories. When asked about the source of that sense, she gave a surprising answer. "You can cultivate your sense of style. When I was a student and wanted to improve my sense of style, I would often find someone I admired and, when choosing clothes or thinking about interior design, I would try to imagine myself as that person. For example, I would imagine a friend who is always fashionable and think, 'Would she choose this?' Doing this when I was unsure made it much easier to decide. Good taste requires objectivity and a broad perspective, but this method allows you to effortlessly adopt a different perspective within yourself. I call this the 'possession method.' (laughs)."

 

Finally, we asked her for tips on how to create beautiful knitted items. "First, knit with a rhythm. When your hands start moving unconsciously, the stitches will be easier to keep even. Also, look at lots of beautiful knitted fabrics. Your hands can't reproduce anything beyond the image in your mind. And most importantly, have the desire to knit something beautiful." In May 2021, she moved to her current location, and her long-awaited physical store was completed on the first floor. The second floor is used as a space for knitting classes and other events. Currently, many students come from outside the prefecture to attend her knitting classes. We can't take our eyes off Ms. Umemoto as she continues to expand her activities.

 

The highly anticipated second volume of "amuhibi KNIT BOOK," which caused a sensation in 2022, is now on sale.

Drawing on her experience and sense as a graphic designer, the knitwear she proposes features designs overflowing with unprecedented charm. We introduce 10 types of garments and 5 types of accessories that you'll want to carefully knit with high-quality yarn, accompanied by stylish photographs.

 

"amuhibi KNIT BOOK 2nd" ~Knit with amuhibi~

(Published by Nippon Vogue Co., Ltd.)

Now available at Amazon and bookstores.

 

Couturier Web has launched a kit supervised by Mikiko Umemoto, owner of amuhibi.

Currently, Couturier WEB is hosting “Knitting FestivalWe will be releasing a special kit. Socks and a snood made with high-quality ROWAN yarn will be delivered by express delivery.

The Knitting Festival will be held until February 10th, 2024 (Saturday)!

 

amuhikyo store owner
Mikiko Umemoto
After working as a graphic designer and art director, she currently works as a hand-knitted knitwear designer and knitting instructor. In December 2018, she established an online shop, and in May 2021, she opened an imported yarn specialty store with an attached knitting class in Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City. Her nickname is Nyanko-sensei (Kitty Teacher).

Instagram:@amuhibiknit