Textiles

Eileen Braybrook

Today we introduce the work of Eileen Braybrook, an impressive textile artist and knitter based in Brunswick in Melbourne’s North.

Eileen splits her practice between the practical and the experimental. She makes everyday wearable garments, homewares and accessories, alongside exhibition pieces.

We recently caught up with Eileen in her studio to find out more about her practice.

Written
by
Lisa Marie Corso

Textile artist and knitter Eileen Braybrook at work in her Brunswick studio. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.

Eileen Braybrook at work in her Brunswick studio. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.

The Brunswick studio of textile artist Eileen Braybrook. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.

Studio details. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.

Studio details. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.

Studio details. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.

Knitted garments in the studio of knitter Eileen Braybrook. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.

Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.

Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.

Knitted works by Eileen Braybrook. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.

Work made as part of a collaboration with artist John Brooks and knitter Eileen Braybrook. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.

Eileen Braybrook in her Brunswick studio. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.

Writer
Lisa Marie Corso
31st of March 2016

Eileen Braybrook is a knitter. A mad knitter. She can knit all kinds of things you probably didn’t realise were knit-able, and what’s more, she makes it look easy. Knitting is her specialty.

Working out of the Tinning Street studio complex in Brunswick (and occasionally on the couch in front of the TV), Eileen discovered her ambidextrous skill in her late twenties. ‘I didn’t even know knitting was something you could do for a living,’ she admits. Feeling a little unsatisfied with work a few years ago, she picked up the needles as a creative outlet, and hasn’t looked back since. She graduated from a Bachelor of Textile Design at RMIT in 2013, majoring in knitting.

These days, Eileen splits her time between teaching Textile Design at RMIT, working part-time as a textile designer at a homewares company, and working on her own knitting pieces in the studio every other moment. Eileen’s knitting practice moves between two distinct outlets. There’s the everyday functional pieces she makes, including cushions, blankets, scrunchies, beanies, socks and lots of different items of clothing. Then there are more conceptual and experimental pieces she makes for exhibitions. Last month she exhibited work alongside artist John Brooks, as part of her first major show. ‘I love collaborating with people because I want to do so much, but you can’t know how to do everything!’ she says.

While much of Eileen’s work is the simple product of a pair of needles and a pair of hands, recently she has been investigating machine knitting techniques, and working with local manufactures to realise some of her more ambitious ideas. ‘I had some jacquard knitted pieces manufactured, and was really surprised by how long it took to develop those pieces,’ she explains. ‘Although the machine knits them in an hour, it took about 5 months of research and development to get there!’

Currently, Eileen is in the process of launching her very own knitwear label. ‘I’m really looking forward to bringing something new into the world,’ she says.

To see more of Eileen’s work, visit her website here.

The Brunswick studio of textile artist Eileen Braybrook. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.

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