Working at Eribe...

Aoife Meert

Studying: MA International Fashion Marketing at Heriot Watt University
Work Placement period: May-July 2010

Working with the team at Eribé was such a great experience! Working in the industry has taught me so much. During my work placement I worked on Eribé’s PR. This involved designing and putting press packs together to send out to magazines and newspapers as well as contacting these magazines and trying to get Eribé’s products known to them. 

Not only did I learn more about how PR works but I learnt a lot about many of the different aspects of the business which was extremely interesting.

My time at Eribé has been extremely exciting and rewarding. Rosy and the team are really friendly and made me feel really welcome. This was such a great and invaluable opportunity!

Thank you!

Sophie Adamson

Studying: BA (HONS) Textile Design, specialising in knitwear

Uni: Heriot-Watt, Galashiels.

Year: going into 4th year.

I quickly settled into my time at Eribé due to everyone's friendly nature and approachability. I started off sewing on buttons and labels as well as making lots of pom-poms and fixing minor faults in some products. During my time there I also got into the swing of hand knitting due to some good teaching and a bit of practice! Towards the end of my time t-shirts were being designed for the spring/ summer collection and I started putting together yarn colours and qualities that could provide a knitted element on these t-shirts. I also participated in group deliberations and decisions towards the colour and shape of the t-shirts. Other tasks I did were things like allocating orders in the stock room, as well as sending them out to customers, and sourcing/ researching products on the internet. I began the online archiving record of Eribé's past products and sorted them into categories. During my last couple of days I was also taken along on a factory visit, which was very insightful and made me feel like pat of the team!

In all I had a very enjoyable time at Eribé, and it was a sad day when I had to leave! The wonderful team at Eribé made me feel at home and taught me lots about the industry in a short space of time.

Rebecca Peattie

BA (Hons) Fashion Knitwear Design and Knitted Textiles
Nottingham Trent University
Placement - October 2009 – May 2010
I started my six month work placement with Eribé Knitwear in October.  A large order was in production so I was able to get stuck in straight away.  All the Eribé staff were really friendly and I had no problem settling in.

During my time at Eribé one of my main duties was to carry out quality control product checks working against designer’s specifications.  I hand-finished garments by carrying out seam repairs so that items met the required standard and by preparing and attaching swing tickets and labels to garments.  I was responsible for checking and packing orders and checking the goods received from factories against delivery notes.  I also had the task of collating trend and colour research.

I was given many opportunities to be creative at Eribé and get involved in various projects.  My favourite was designing and producing keyrings using left-over Fair Isle fabric for the Christmas Sales - these were a success and went into production.  I also had a fantastic opportunity to attend the Scottish Trade Show in Glasgow.  Gaining firsthand experience of a trade show was so interesting and gave me knowledge of what selling in industry is like.

My time at Eribé was a valuable experience and has played a huge part in fuelling my ambition to be  part of the knitwear industry.  It has allowed me to gain firsthand experience of a small design studio in action, gaining insight into many aspects of a business such as design, production and sales.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Eribé, making new friends and gaining knowledge of the knitwear industry.  I felt like I had become part of the team and it was hard to leave, I will always remember my time at Eribé.

Thank you everyone at Eribé

Rebecca x

Linda Wagner

BA of Arts, Texile Design
University of applied Sciences Hof, Germany
Work Placement: August/September 2009

My Time at Eribé Knitwear was just the best thing I could do during my summer holidays. At that time, I started with a knitting project at Uni and I was desperate to learn more about it, which was possible in Scotland.

I was involved in many different parts of the business. I helped with packing and checking boxes, I reorganised the Button-stock, I did a lot of sewing with machine and hand, mostly Labels. I did measuring and ironing. The most interesting thing for me was the hand knitting as itself. Kim and Katharine were really patient with me and introduced me in a lot of technics simple tricks. I made a lot of samples for Rosy and translated knitting patterns from German into English. I really enjoyed being in the studio with the girls, even though they battened me with loads of tea and biscuits…

Everyone in there was very nice and kind, sometimes I wished anyone would be wee bit more strict… I believe I was too lazy once in a while…

As I lived in the House attached to the studio, I had a great connection to everyone there. It felt like a second Home, right from the first day. I met such interesting people and really miss all the lovely evenings with the housemates.
I really loved this summer in Scotland and I hope to return soon.

Laura Smith

Studying: BA (Hons) Textile Design
University of Leeds
Work Placement Period: July & August 2007

My year in industry started with a summer placement at Eribé. When I first arrived, the studio was being reorganised, so I was moving furniture and computers around even before my first day! It was great to get stuck in straight away and I knew that I would enjoy my time here.

I have been involved in many aspects of the business. I have helped with production, such as sewing up hand knitted cashmere toys, putting tassels on scarves, mending garments, winding yarn to be sent to hand knitters and sampling. I had the responsibility of quality checking products, ensuring that they met their specification requirements, were labelled correctly and then sorted according to orders and packaged appropriately. I also developed a new filing system for the studio and reorganised the hand knitters’ database making it more accessible and easy to use. I had the privilege of meeting some of the hand knitters and started to build a working relationship with some them through my answering of the telephone!

My time here has been a great insight into the demanding Knitwear Industry, the high standard, quality of production and finish is certainly something I will take away with me and endeavour to achieve in my own work. Everyone at Eribé has been so friendly and welcoming and my experience of working and living here is not one I will forget!

Thank you,
Laura

Sophie Cairns

My placement with Eribé Knitwear Design was only a short 3 weeks and those 3 weeks flew by, aside from the odd few coughs and colds I loved it!
 
My main job over the three weeks was to sort and identify knit swatches squares/pieces and then to organise them so that in time a catalogue would be available for clients and design teams to pick from and reference. I have never seen so many swatches in such a small square footage in my life before and it is surely a job I will never forget, but I have to think that the starting point I made with the boxes may aid me one day!
 
In the first week Margaret Howell and four of her team came up from London to visit Rosy and scope ideas for their Autumn/ Winter collection, my claim to fame ‘I made the coffee’.
 
It was wonderful to observe how the business worked and I really enjoyed it when I was able to help with hand knit pieces, my label sewing is up to scratch now, and re-locating tiger tails was good fun too. I think the way hand-knit compliments machine-knits is great and very much a way I hope to work on my degree show but also in the future if that is possible.
 
My three weeks with Rosy & everyone at Eribé Knitwear will never be forgotten and I hope that we may be able to work together again in the future.

Prem-usa Sapaiwan (Pom)

Work Experience

Studying: BA (HONs) Fashion Knitwear Design
Northumbria University
Newcastle –upon-Tyne

Work Placement Period: Feb – April 2007

The placement period at Eribe has giving me opportunities to learn many skills that I had never learned before. This has helped me to build up my own ability in Knitwear Design as well as enhance my knowledge and understanding of the knitwear process.

I did get the responsibility to get involve in design and production. For example: making tassels as if in a production line. I had the responsibility of checking that garments were sized and labeled correctly, and packed with the correct details before sending out to customers. All the garments and accessories had the same system. I was given some interesting projects to do during the placement. For instance, I designed a pair of gloves with a ring and crochet detail. I also designed an Arran patterned house-sock. I sewed together hand knitted cashmere toys. I knitted swatches on machine and by hand to help customers understand patterns and the handle of the yarn. This helped to prepare for pattern writing of garments. I made flower brooches. I mended gloves, hats, socks, etc.

Further more, I got to know how a company is run as a business which has taught me business management.  What I have learned here will help me for my future career.
 
I was made to feel at home as I lived with Rosemary in a Victorian house and the few housemates. We all come from different backgrounds so we could share many things. We did a lot of cooking (everyone is a good cook not sure about myself). As the studio is attached to the house I could go to work with my slippers on (I always did that). People I work with at Eribe are friendly even if they have their own jobs to do, but we always talk about things and solving problems together. I got help with my English and we shared our life stories and ups and downs. So, I have made good friends here as well as learning the Scottish culture. I would definitely come back to visit them and help them winding the yarn (lol).

Pom

Michelle Legere at Eribé

Studying BA (HONS) Fashion Knitwear Design  
Nottingham Trent University

I started my year in industry with a six-week placement at Eribé Knitwear in August. At this time many of Eribé’s Autumn Winter Garments were ready to be despatched to customers. I had the responsibility of checking the garments were sized correctly and labelled and packed with the correct details.
Working in the Eribé studio environment gave me a great insight to the fashion/textile industry. Meeting clients and customers and understanding their needs and standards is something I can take away from Eribé.

It was a great experience for me as a student being involved in Eribé’s 20th anniversary event. Meeting the hand knitters, machine knitters and spinners was very interesting. I understand that it is important to understand all aspects of the Knitting industry and those involved in making designs come to life. The fashion show at the event was an unforgettable experience also. Seeing how a designers trends and fabrics have developed over the past twenty years is something you rarely see in one fashion show.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Eribé, and have learned so much in such a short space of time. Working with such friendly and welcoming people within such a demanding industry has made me less nervous about finding a design position when I graduate.

Thanks Eribé x

Sarah Moyes

During my work placement at Eribé, I feel I have gained not only friendship but have also enhanced my knowledge and understanding.  I have found this experience invaluable and most enjoyable and with the help of my colleagues, I have learnt about a successful business working in the international knitwear sector. 

In addition to this, the relaxed atmosphere, great teamwork and rapport built up with my colleagues have made my time very special and one to remember. 

Thank you Eribé!

Klara Kamora

Age - 18

From - Czech Republic

I have found my time at Eribé Knitwear very interesting, it has taught me to be more patient. I have met interesting and funny people with lots of experiences. These lovely people helped me with my English, and made me more fluent. At work I learnt how to sew on tassles, buttons (man made and hand made), how to correct holes in jumpers and scarves. I sewed on labels by machine and by hand. I learned how to use the linking machine for a jumper which Rosemary named after me! It was enjoyable during my stay and I'm pleased I worked with everyone at Eribé.

Judy Hollis

Degree: BA (Hons) Fashion (specialising in textiles and knitwear)
              Northumbria University
              Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Work Placement Period:- 14 Weeks 4th July 2005 ~ 7th October 2005

I arrived and started work at Eribé Knitwear at the height of production. Deadliness had to be met and quality control of the garments had to be guaranteed at an exceptionally high standard.  From day one I was treated as a member of the Eribé team and not as a 'Student'.  This immediately made me feel at home and I suppose it is home as I am living with Rosemary at Bylands where Eribé Knitwear is based.

Production and quality control are two of the areas where I worked for my first two weeks.  I was taught how to attach various finishes and trims to the Accessories Collection ready for distribution for Autumn/Winter 05.  I progressed to working in quality control where each garment or knitted piece (e.g. novelty items, corsages etc.) have to be checked against specifications.  This work is ongoing and applies to everything that Eribé sells.

I was given the opportunity after a few weeks to be able to work solely on production of a range of scarves.  These scarves consisted of appliqué, laying in, putting together colourways and machine embroidery. This work continued for 4 weeks where I made Tinkerbell Scarves, Butterfly Scarves and a run of 13 and 35 Scatter Snowflake Scarves.

Once these have been completed and I have met my specific deadlines and dispatch dates, I will be starting work on a design project for Autumn/Winter 2006/07.  Although a lot of hard work and time management is needed to be able to fulfill the work that is required, working at Eribé gives me a good general understanding of all aspects of knitwear, textiles, and fashion, which will be helpful to my project. The 'buzz' of dispatch equals out the hard work that is put into the garments.

I feel that if you have drive and ambition to get into 'the trade' then a placement at Eribé Knitwear can give plenty of knowledge and skill that is there for the taking.  I am 8 weeks into my placement and wish it didn't have to come to an end but like most good things it must.

Rosemary and the team have provided me with a truly unique experience which I will never forget and hopefully I can reflect the knowledge, skill and experiences I have had in my placement assignment.

OUR NEXT STUDENT

Could it be you?

We are looking for a student who wishes to develop skills in the area of Internet Marketing and Promotion using the latest techniques and technologies.

Experience with Microsoft Visual Studio would be advantageous (though not essential), as well as familiarity with CMS (Content Management Systems), SEO (Search Engine Optimization), blogs, ezines, reciprocal link strategies and web site design. Familiarity with HTML would likewise be an advantage though not essential.

Strong abilities in research, copywriting and good keyboard skills would all be advantageous but above all we are looking for someone with a positive attitude who is willing to take up an opportunity to learn about the cutting edge of internet marketing and promotion.