Our Students
ERIBÉ loves to support emerging talent from the UK and abroad, which is why we offer structured placements for students as part of their College/University courses. Our students gather in-depth knowledge of the knitwear industry - everything from knitting technique, production, marketing and business. Check our website for available work placements. You can read what previous interns had to say about their time with us below...
See the Join Our Team page for current internship opportunities.
Andrea Orduna: Production & Design Intern
Studying: BA (HONS) Design for Textile, Heriot-Watt University, Scottish Borders
Work placement at Galashiels: May 2018 to August 2019
I had the great opportunity at ERIBÉ to be faced with real challenges that allowed me to expand my knowledge and improve my skills with better understanding about fibres, quality and measurement standard, colourways and a real vision of the textiles industry in Scotland. l will return to Heriot-Watt in September 2019 with a vast amount of good quality information that I will apply in my last two years and my future textile career. My role during this past year was operating and maintaining efficient and well organised procedures on the production line, ensuring all garments were produced, finished in-house, passed the quality standards and were ready for delivery on time. My favourite part of the internship was when the machines and equipment worked efficiently to achieve a good production line. Also to see the transformation of unfinished fabrics into stunning knitwear and accessories. My least favourite part was not having enough time to development the art of mending! I am very grateful for the experience and the great support of the friendly team at ERIBÉ. Thank you very much.
Elena Massari: Production Intern
Studying: Fashion (BA) - Heriot Watt University
Work Placement: May to August, 2019
I had small production and finishing tasks and an upcycling project through which I learned how to fix dropped stitches, sew in ends and how to use the domestic knitting machine. I also learned how to use the linker and a bit more on how to handle knitwear during production/garment construction. This whole new set of skills will definitely be useful in the future for a better understanding of the fashion industry and will surely enrich my design thinking and process. My favourite part of my internship was learning how to use the knitting machine. I didn't enjoy pressing or labelling!
Please connect with me at https://www.instagram.com/e.massari_fashion/
Frida Nordby Schulz: Production Intern
Studying: School of fashion industry (SOFI) Oslo, Norway
Work Placement: June 23 to September 6, 2019
I have loved my time here. I have been lucky enough to try my hand at a lot of different things within the company. My tasks included helping out with production, packaging and shipping, design, organizing and archiving samples and prospecting of potential clients. When I helped out with production I got to learn about finishing and yarn in general and I also got to try my hand at the manual knitting machine and the linker. From this I have learned the importance of finishing and the care and attention a knitted garment goes through before it reaches the stores and can be bought. I have helped Cat out with packaging orders and seen how much planning and organisation goes into making sure all customers get their knitwear on time.
With design I have been lucky enough to assist with multiple things. I have been sewing up samples, which later have been made up as prototypes for the new collection, as well as researching different ideas for garments and accessories. I have assisted with making flat drawing and tech packs and measuring garments to make sure they fit to the standards of the specs. Together with Shona I have helped with the prospecting and initial approach of Norwegian customers. I have also organized and archived some of Eribé's swatches from as far as 20 years back. I have been working with the Fairisle group. The Eribé team is an amazing and kind group of very hard working people and I have felt welcome from the very first day here. I will always treasure my time spent with the company. My favourite part of the internship? Being able to try my hand at so many different things within the company. That way I was able to really see how a fashion/knitwear company is run!
Lauren Harris: Production Intern
Studying: BA Textile Design, De Montfort University Leicester
Work Placement: November 2017 - March 2018
Interning at Eribe has expanded my skill set. I have learnt how to use the linking machine to professionally finish off scarves and connect knits together. I have learnt to use the over locker to secure seams and prevent unravelling. My responsibilities included tucking in ends on products, learning how to fix and mend ladders, steaming and labelling as well as packaging. I was given a personal project by my supervisor Patricia, in which I created a blanket. I found this a great exercise as it got me back into the creative flare and shared similarities to what I study on my course. I was very pleased with the product I made, and it will be sold in the Christmas sale. I even undertook some modelling for the company which was interesting, I found this fun and even got one photo featured in the brochure. The team were very welcoming and made me feel as one of them. I am thankful for the opportunity and will carry these skills into my University degree.
Susan Smillie: Hand-Knit Production Intern
Studying: International Fashion Business, Glasgow Caledonian University
Work Placement: July - August 2017
I have had the best time interning with Eribe and felt like part of the team form my very first day. I learned so much in such my short time about the production and finishing of knitwear garments. During this time I worked on everything from jumpers to mittens, allowing me to understand the process they go through and how much hard work goes on behind each garment. I had previous knowledge of hand knits but I had limited knowledge of machine made garments when I started my internship and now I have a much wider knowledge of all aspects of the industry. Also I gained an insight into the world of factory production as I had many trips to local factories where I saw garments in production and learned of the importance of efficiency and good communication. I even had the opportunity to learn about the use of new machinery from a tabbing to linking machines. As my degree program does not have a specialism element it was an incredible experience gaining an insight into the knitwear industry. I loved every minute at Eribe.
Deirdre Quaid: Hand-Knit Production Intern
Studying: Fashion Knitwear & Textiles, Limerick School of Art & Design
Work Placement: April - July 2017
I had a very rewarding and valuable experience at ERIBÉ . Being part of the warm and understanding production team gave me the opportunity to see and understand all aspects of the design process. My tasks included pressing, labelling and bagging garments as well as winding yarn to go to ERIBÉ ’s hand knitters and fixing and seaming garments. This was something that I really benefited from because I had to closely inspect pieces and sometimes take them apart which helped me gain confidence in my understanding of knitting. I also was given the opportunity to be part of a knitting event at the National Museum where were teaching people how to knit which also gave me new confidence as it was something out of my usual comfort zone. Overall, my time working at ERIBÉ has been really important for me when starting out in the industry.
Charlotte Tulloch: Hand-Knit Production Intern
Studying: BA (Hons) Design for Textiles (Fashion, Interior, Art)
Work Placement: May - June 2017
I edged scarfs using a linking machine. I assembled a menswear jumper by hand for Loverboy and later made use of the linking machine. I did some yarn winding that was to be used to hand knit scarves. Then they had to be packaged and delivered to the hand knitters. I hand knitted a mini hat for innocent fruit smoothie drinks. I assembled components of a label to be hand sewn onto scarves. This included a label with the design company name and logo, an ingredients label and an address label. I learned to push myself to work quickly in a fast paced working environment. I will take the little things I have learnt along the way such as how to present my work for final submissions at university.
Jessica Ellis: Hand-Knit Production Intern
Studying: Fashion Design, University of Westminster
Work Placement: Nov 2016 - Feb 2017
I helped with the production of garments and accessories. Was really involved with the finishing garments so then they could be sent out to the sellers and other fashion houses. Helped reuse the use of old yarn to create something new and sellable for the Eribe Christmas sale. Was very hands on with the production for the Charles Jeffery Loverboy jumpers. Hand knitted neck ribs for the jumpers and also made sure that they were finished to a high standard for them to be sold.
Alice Laffar: Hand-Knit Production Intern
Studying: Textiles and Surface Design, Bucks New University
Work Placement: Sept - Nov 2016
I really enjoyed my time at Eribe, through working on a wide range of tasks during my internship I feel as though I got a really good look into all aspects of how a knitwear company works. It was very interesting to learn more about finishing and the technical side of knitwear production from an industry perspective as it’s very different to working at university. It was also very enjoyable to follow a collection from the initial prototypes to the finished product. I’ve learnt so much and my hand knitting skills have definitely improved!
Heather Ann Hobb: Hand-Knit Production Intern
Studying: Glasgow School of Art Graduate
Work Placement: Sept - Nov 2016
I have loved my time at Eribe, it has been an amazing experience I will never forget. I have learnt so much. Having had the opportunity to see all aspects within the company is been amazing. I feel I have a greater understanding of the journey from initial design process to finished packed and shipped item. My mending and understanding of the technical structures of knitted fabrics has improved massively. Getting to know all the fantastic other interns and having worked closely with the wonderful team at Eribe has been a brilliant experience and I the things I have learn are completely invaluable to me.
Miranda Hume: Hand-Knit Production Intern
Studying: Glasgow School of Art Graduate
Work Placement: Sept - Nov 2016
My time at Eribe was fantastic, I met so many lovely and creative people and got to experience a whole load of skills, from learning about the company itself to fixing and mending handknit and machine knit garments, helping get orders ready for dispatch and updating and creating posts for social media accounts. I even got to help organise a pop up shop for eribe during my time there. I really enjoyed learning about the wools and how hand knit translates to the industry, I will be taking a lot of helpful skills away with me!
Matilda Sandahl: Marketing & PR Intern
Studying: BA International Business Languages, Edinburgh Napier University
Work Placement: June - July 2016
My time at Eribé was very rewarding as I was able to combine my business studies with knitting, which is my main hobby. I learnt a lot by doing all sorts of marketing and sales tasks, including updating social media, writing promotional letters and researching potential stockists. By doing my internship in a small company like Eribé, I was able to see how the business was run as everything’s happening under the same roof; from production to customer service. The team was very friendly and good to work with, both the regular staff and the other interns. I’m happy I spent a couple of months at Eribé, and I now feel much more confident starting my last year of my marketing degree, having seen how business is done in reality.
Emma Boyd-Madsen: Hand-Knit Production Intern
Studying: BA Hons Textile Design, Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow
Work Placement: July - Sept 2015
I vastly improved my linking technique, I mainly used hand linkers in my course which weren’t very effective but I feel quite confident in my linking abilities now as well as fixing ladders/holes. It was great to see how the yarn orders are prepared for the hand knitters as well as the professional finishes for the Loverboy and Anya Hindmarch jumpers. I enjoyed getting to try my hand at lots of different tasks so I feel I have an advantage going into my final year of studies.
Sandra C Taylor: Hand-Knit Production Intern
Studying: BA Hons Textile Design, Heriot-Watt Univeristy, Galashiels Campus
Work Placement: June - August 2015
From the very first day I was made to feel part of the ERIBÉ team. Everyone pitches in with all the work and it's not a case of menial tasks to the interns. The practical skills I have learned during my time here will be hugely beneficial in my honours year and for my future career. It was a privilege to be involved in the production of such quality garments. I would highly recommend applying for a placement here for anyone with an interest in the high-end hand-knit industry. I don't think my summer could have been more productive!
Elanor Gourlay: Hand-Knit Production Intern
Studying: Design for Textiles: Knitwear, Heriot Watt University, Galashiels Campus
Work Placement:
June - August 2015
Working with ERIBÉ Knitwear has improved my technical skills in knitwear production greatly. I now have an appreciation of how important finishing and quality control is in producing consistent, high quality products that show care and attention to detail. The enthusiastic, creative ERIBÉ team have made me feel valuable part of the team whilst helping me to meet the high standard that they work to. I have learned many new stitches and techniques whilst assisting in hand-finishing on some inspiring styles but, more importantly, I have learned that improved technique is not unattainable and will have no hesitation about professional finishing when putting together my final collection!
Katie Chapman: Marketing & PR Intern
Studying: BA (Hons) Combined Studies (Fashion Management and Retail with Textile Design), Heriot-Watt University, Galashiels Campus
Work Placement:M June - August 2015
A day in the life of an ERIBÉ Marketing & PR Intern... By 9am I am at my desk, ready to continue my Trade Customer Master Acquisition updating project. Within an hour, I am thinking on my feet as a team member needs me to send a mail-out to specific customers during their maximum penetration time-frames. I am then free to return to my project until after lunch, when I need to upload product photos to our website via our Content Management System (CMS) Magento. Simultaneously, I am helping the tea – who are in production – by answering the phone, talking to a hand-knitter needing more yarn and someone with an upcoming trade fair discussing ERIBÉ’s potential presence. Before I know it, it is 3:30pm and I have just enough time to round off the day by applying my knowledge of the Adobe Photoshop suite to today’s ERIBÉ online blog post. Each day has thrown new challenges my way, and has required flexibility, but I would like to thank the ERIBÉ team for their continuous support and culture of inclusivity.
Catherine Hounam: General Intern
Studying: HND Retail Management at Edinburgh College
Work Placement: Summer 2015
My internship at ERIBÉ was filled with lots of different and interesting jobs. I helped out with everything from the production of garments, stock taking to organising yarn to be sent out to hand knitters. I enjoyed setting up the studio for clients who came to view our most recent collection. Everyone at ERIBÉ is so friendly and create a wonderful atmosphere to work in. ERIBÉ is such an interesting, original brand with the most amazing garments and I am so glad I was given the opportunity to work as part of their team, even if it was for a short period of time.
Renee Jones - Marketing Intern
Studying: BA Fashion Marketing and Retailing at Heriot-Watt University, Scottish Borders
Work Placement: May & June 2015
As I am about to graduate with a Fashion Marketing degree, I wanted to put my knowledge into practise by doing an internship – and I was lucky enough to be invited along to ERIBÉ. Working there has been such a great experience. I got to help edit the website, update the company’s CRM system, research new customers and generally help out with everyday tasks. I was also involved in ERIBÉ’s A/W 2016 trend research by doing a competitor analysis. My work was used to help the design team at their seasonal design meeting and I received positive feedback about my work. Interning at ERIBÉ has been about more than making tea (although that is a big part of the culture there!) I have actually got to feel like I am making a difference and helping the company. Thanks ERIBÉ!
Lyndsay McCann - ERIBE Marketing & PR Intern
Studying: BA (HONS) Fashion Marketing & Retailing, Heriot-Watt University, Scottish Borders
Work Placement: April 2015
ERIBÉ was such a lovely environment to work and learn in. Everyone was so kind and helpful, each day was a delight. My tasks related with the marketing side of business, helping and working alongside Veronique. I provided support throughout the company I performed general tasks such as stock taking, answering calls from customers, uploading press contacts into mailing list, and inputting data into CRM system. I now understand the effort that goes into a real company to make it function. It has been a great learning experience. I thank the staff at ERIBÉ for a most insightful and enjoyable internship.
Hayley Lister Draper: Hand-Knit Intern
Studying: BA (HONS) Textile Design For Fashion & Interiors, Bath Spa University, Bath
Work Placement: June - October 2015
I have thoroughly enjoyed interning at ERIBÉ; I have gained a much wider understanding of what it is like to work professionally in the textile industry. While working on cable trellis mitts I got to see the whole production process. This stretched from the winding of yarn to send to hand-knitters all the way through to the tagging, bagging and dispatching to the customer. Having such a supportive helpful team to work with has made my experience with the company fantastic. I have learnt a lot about the design process of the collections produced at ERIBÉ that will help me with my own design work as return to university for my final year.
Scott Bramley: Hand-Knit Production Intern
Studying: BA (HONS) Textile Design, Heriot-Watt University, Scottish Borders
Work Placement: Summer 2011
I have done so much on this placement; including researching and contacting new yarn and spinning companies, tagging and bagging product correctly ready for shipping to shops, photographing samples, and learning about stock management on the computer. One of the most gratifying responsibilities I had was to look into designing some hats for the upcoming spring collection, where I worked sketching ideas, which then became ERIBÉ samples to be sent out to buyers, fingers crossed they provide some good orders. There were also days away from the studio which were all great, such as a look around the university degree show, and a trip to Cumbria to visit Woolfest where I met some of the yarn companies I’d contacted. I was often at Caerlee Mill in Innerleithen, one of the factories ERIBÉ works with, to experience full scale knitwear production and where I packed crates, worked on paris presses steaming accessories, and checked stock. I am so thankful to have had the wonderful experience I have had with ERIBÉ, I really have learned so much about the knitwear business, and am really inspired by everything ERIBÉ! Scott is now full-time MD, Designer on the ERIBÉ team.