Interview with Dorothy Offeciers - the designer behind Adorable Knits
Could you begin by introducing yourself and telling us how you got into knitting and started creating your own designs?
"I am 41 (but stopped counting somewhere mid-thirties and have to rely on my eldest daughter to help me remember my age), and live in Antwerp, Belgium, with my husband and our 2 daughters Renée (10y) & Gabriella (8y), and our 2 cats. I absolutely love my city and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in Belgium. It’s a very vibrant, hectic and multi-cultural city, but still feels small enough.
I worked as an interior architect for more than 15 years, I loved the creative part of the job (‘It’s all in the details’ still is my motto) and the creative collaboration with my architect colleagues. During a ‘burnoutish’ episode in 2019 I discovered knitting, and I quickly noticed that this was something that gave me a lot of energy, and sparked my ‘creative brain’. It didn’t take me long to start working on my first designs, even without really knowing anything about it. The learning curve was steap (and still is), but it is very satisfying to learn new skills.
In 2020 I released my first sweater design, and in 2023, after a few years of combining 2 jobs, I decided to switch carreers and become a fulltime knitwear designer. This wasn’t an easy decision, and it was only possible with the support of my wonderful husband. I still feel very lucky that I can do this fulltime. I’ve never worked so hard in my life, I’ve never had this much stress, but I’ve also never felt so proud of what I’m doing and I’ve never been happier."
We noticed that you have a background as an interior architect. Do you see any connections between interior architecture and knitwear design? Which skills or experiences from your previous career have helped you as a designer?
"Absolutely! I see many connections between interior architecture and knitwear design. Both disciplines involve a strong sense of structure, form, and texture. In interior architecture, I learned how to balance function with aesthetics — a mindset that directly applies to knitwear, where garments must not only look visually compelling but also fit well and move with the body.
Working in interior architecture also trained me to think in three dimensions, which has been useful in developing knitwear silhouettes and experimenting with construction techniques. Additionally, attention to detail, material research, and concept development were all core parts of my previous work — and they remain central to how I approach design today.
One of the most important lessons I’ve carried with me from my previous career is that good things take time. Whether you're designing a space or a piece of knitwear, the creative process is rarely linear. You have to allow room for mistakes, experimentation, and learning. I’ve learned to trust that each misstep is part of refining the final outcome. It's often in those moments of failure or doubt that something special begins to take shape.
I also rely heavily on my intuition. When something doesn’t feel right, I’ve learned to pause and listen to that gut feeling — it’s usually telling me that it’s not working. And on the flip side, when I hit that “jackpot feeling” — that moment when everything clicks — I know I’m onto something! That instinct has become one of my most valuable tools as a designer."
Are there particular themes, eras, or cultures that influence your collections? And are there any designers, artists, or creatives who currently inspire you?
"There isn’t one specific theme, era, or culture that consistently influences my designs. I find inspiration in many different places. Architecture, photography, graphic design, art, and nature all play a role in shaping my ideas. I’m especially drawn to anything that involves lines, details, structure, and movement. It’s often the interplay between form and texture that catches my attention and sparks a new direction.
I tend to follow my gut feeling when it comes to designing. I design things I love and I would like to wear and make. That might seem a bit selfish, but all my designs are born from something that sparks my yarn brain, a texture that intrigues me, or simply a need for a comfy sweater.
When I write or grade designs, I often listen to music to help me focus, relax, or feel inspired — especially since working in Excel tends to stress me out. The type of music I choose changes throughout the year and usually follows my mood. There are a few artists and albums that always seem to tick the right boxes for me, like Hermanos Gutiérrez, Massive Attack, Radiohead, Whitney, Khruangbin, Nick Drake, Erykah Badu, and Air."
What projects are you working on at the moment, and what styles or ideas can we look forward to in your next designs?
"I’m currently working on several projects — the Fall and Winter season is always incredibly busy, which suits me perfectly. I'm a winter knitter (and a winter child) at heart, and this time of year always sparks the most ideas. Honestly, I never feel like I have enough time to design and release all the winter knits I imagine. Many ideas end up being postponed to the next year — the story of my life!
One of the designs I’m most excited about is my first colourwork sweater, the Wintersoul Sweater, which is coming out in November. It’s been such a rewarding challenge, and while I’d love to explore more colourwork this year, time is limited. Hopefully next season will bring more opportunities for that.
I’m also preparing to release the Charlotte Sweater, which includes a dress modification. I knit the first version about three years ago, so it feels very special to finally be sharing it now — a good reminder that good things really do take time.
Looking ahead, I’d love to design more cardigans. They’re some of my favourite pieces to wear, even if they’re not my favourite to knit (if I’m being honest!). I’m currently working on the Grace Cardigan, part of the Grace collection — a series of everyday, stylish basics that are easy to wear and combine effortlessly with different outfits. I’m also planning to start the Romy Cardigan soon, which will be a chunkier, cozier piece.
And I would like to add a Romy Sweater for men to my pattern collection. At the moment, I only have one design for men (the Jo Sweater - I received a lot of lovely feedback on that one) and I would like to add more.
Another exciting goal is revisiting my Renée Sweater and Renée Cardigan. They’re two of my earlier designs, and although I’m still very proud of them, they deserve a refresh. I plan to regrade and rewrite both patterns, expand the size range, and ensure they reflect my current standards for inclusivity and fit."
