Janie Knitted Textiles

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Jane Withers and Michael Hanmer
Since graduating in 1995 from Nottingham Trent University with a First Class Hons degree in Knitwear Design, I have worked in design studios for knitted textile companies for five years.

In 2000 I left the textile industry and set up a studio at home and started to develop my own contemporary knitted fabrics using domestic knitting machines. In 2003 I established Janie knitted textiles and became a Ltd company in 2005. I continued to keep links with local knitwear companies and designed/produced fashion accessories for clients.

Over the last 4 years I have concentrated on making knitted fabrics and fashion and interior products with the assistance of my partner Michael Hanmer. We produce all our fabrics and products in our studio, located at The Harley Foundation studios.

We have an experimental approach to our work and are influenced by natural forms and colours which I photograph and sketch. With our different backgrounds in knitting design and production we bring a wealth of skills  together producing and developing knitted fabrics which we use for our products. We prefer to use natural fibres such as merino wool, linen and cotton.

I take part in a schools programme of workshops throughout the year, at Patchings Art Centre, creating feltmaking projects for children together with adult workshops in  our studio.

Retail and trade exhibitions have given us a great platform to show our work, particularly Origin and Pulse in London and The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in Manchester and the British Craft Trade Fair, Harrogate.