A Conversation with Julie of Maxies Knitwear

By her own admisssion, Julie of Maxies Knitwear loves to knit!  Creating garments that tick all the boxes of soft, colourful and comfortable to wear.  Her attention to detail is evident in her beautifully wearable and vibrant accessories.  Here, Julie offers us a window into her creative world...

Who is Maxies Knitwear?

Maxies Knitwear is me (Julie), a knitter addict living in the suburbs of South Auckland with my husband and cat, Max

What’s your “handmade groove ?”

I love wool, and I love what can be created with wool. My favourite yarn to knit is one that has an amazing texture or colour that looks beautiful when it’s simply knitted without any difficult stitches. Most of my work is knitted pieces that accessorizes for women ... item’s that can compliment any garment they wear.

What’s on your bedside table right now? (hey, no tidying up or censoring)

Lol … a bottle of perfume, some jewelry, medication and a book cooled “field of the fatherless”, which is a book about orphans.

Who are your creative role models? What music, books, images, poetry spark your creative fire?

My mum! She taught me to knit when I was young and inspired me throughout the years by all the wonderful garments she knitted for our family. I’m also inspired by other knitters that I see at craft shows and online … there is such amazing talent out there.

What could you talk late into the night about with like minded people?

China (we travel there regularly and love it) and how to help Orphans (a cause I’m passionate about)

If you could go to three free workshops/creative events this year which ones would they be? What are they about?

Soapmaking, crochet and anything that will up skill me in the art of photography

How do you balance your creative life with your family, life commitments?

I work outside of the home 4 days a week (9-5), and mainly do my crafts in the evenings and weekends around our social life. Fortunately I can knit in front of the TV, and have a wonderfully supportive husband!

What is your favourite creative screw-up?

That’s the great part of working with wool – screw-ups can be unpicked and recreated.

Kitchen table or studio?

Office table and couch!

Do you have a wish list? Can you tell us what’s on it?

To travel … visit the parts of China we haven’t seen, travel through Central Asia and then head on up into Europe.

You can find Maxies Knitwear here:

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/maxiesknitwear

Blog:  http://www.maxiesknitwear.blogspot.com/