I’m Manmi, the knitwear designer behind Soopknits, based in Busan, Korea. 

The Beginning of Soopknits

I grew up by the sea in Busan, yet somehow, I’ve always found myself longing for the forest. I love the feeling of being surrounded by tall trees and endless green, and that quiet fascination with lush forests eventually became the name Soopknits — “soop” means forest in Korean.

Before becoming a knitwear designer, I worked as a UX designer, planning and designing user experiences for a variety of digital services. Knitting began simply as a hobby, but in 2015, I started designing pieces of my own. What began quietly alongside my other work eventually became what I do full-time, and today I pour my energy into Soopknits as an independent knitwear designer.

I enjoy working slowly and independently, but Soopknits is never entirely a one-person process. I’m fortunate to have a wonderful community of skilled local knitters around me. They help me explore new and better techniques, test my patterns, try on samples for fit, and even take part in photoshoots. Their experience and support are an important part of bringing each design to life.

The Style of Soopknits

I love street fashion, and I especially enjoy bringing its contemporary attitude together with the warmth and tactile quality of hand knitting.

Through Soopknits, I hope to create pieces that feel warm and handmade, yet modern and relevant — knitwear that feels just as natural in everyday wardrobes as it does special because you made it yourself.

Rather than designing clothes only for special occasions, I’m interested in the pieces you instinctively reach for again and again.

The Patterns

I tend to avoid techniques that are complicated simply for the sake of being complicated. I like the making process to feel clear, simple, and intuitive.

Sometimes, of course, a more beautiful finish is worth a little extra effort.

My hope is that the process of knitting a Soopknits pattern feels approachable and enjoyable, while the finished piece carries both the warmth of hand knitting and the effortless mood of contemporary style.

You can follow the latest Soopknits designs and news on Instagram @soopknit.
For a little more of my everyday life beyond knitting, you can find me at @stillmydays.