About
Personal:
Hi, I'm Ellen! I studied textile design, specializing in knitwear, at Central Saint Martins and graduated in 2024. I had never knitted before university, I applied with a full portfolio of print work thinking I wanted to be a print designer. However, I fell in love with knitting from the first time I tried it and have never looked back!
Work:
Whether you're a knitter or a fashion lover, we've got something for everyone! You can browse our designs to buy pre-made pieces, or if you'd prefer to make your own at home, you can learn how with our patterns.
We have a range of patterns aimed at all different experience levels - from complete beginner through to advanced. All of them include a detailed breakdown of every step and technique you’ll need, so don’t be afraid to be ambitious and learn along the way!
Our mission is to bring innovation and modern design to the machine knitting pattern industry. Most existing patterns were created during the 1970s and 1980s, when there was a boom in the production of knitting machines. These patterns, although beautiful in their own way, no longer reflect contemporary style or fit of today. Here we are reimagining knitwear for today, offering thoughtfully designed patterns that combine modern aesthetics with quality, durability, and comfort.
As for our pre-made designs, each piece is handcrafted in London on vintage domestic knitting machines, typically taking 6–12 hours of work per garment.
As well as my own designs, I also freelance for other brands. You may have seen my work before and not realized it! If you’re a brand looking for help with design or manufacturing, please get in touch through our contact page or email info@ellenbyrne.co.uk.
Sustainability:
All our yarns are sourced from responsible suppliers and are 100% cotton. We make everything to order, which means no excess garments end up in landfill. Our production process is also highly sustainable: each garment is shaped during the knitting process, meaning no cutting, and therefore zero waste.
For our patterns, all garment constructions are tested to ensure you’ll end up with a high-quality, durable piece. We want your knits to be loved and last a lifetime, so there’s plenty of advice in each pattern on how to repair holes, pick up dropped stitches, and finish your knitting securely so it never unravels.
