This is part of an ongoing series where I take you behind the scenes of Knots Studio — the real story, from the very beginning. Want to get these directly in your inbox? Subscribe here.
I've decided to change the way I show up in your inbox.
Honestly? I'm tired of sending promotional emails — and I'm guessing you're tired of receiving them. We're all drowning in endless marketing, and it's just not that interesting anymore.
So instead, I want to take you behind the scenes of Knots Studio. Because I think that's a much better story than showing you the same products over and over again.
Starting today, I'm going to tell you the story of Knots — from the very beginning. And every week, I'll share what's happening in my studio: what's inspiring me, what I'm developing, what I'm dreaming of designing next.
(And I would genuinely love to hear from you too — leave a comment below, or send me a note anytime.)
So. From the very beginning.
My name is Neta, and I'm the founder and head designer of Knots Studio. I'm 39 years old, I live in Jaffa, Israel, with my partner Itamar and our two daughters, Ella (7) and Gafan (4).
At 23, I started studying textile design at Shenkar College. I chose textile design because I've always had a deep love for materials — as a kid, I was obsessed with sculpture. Big, voluminous forms. I loved combining different materials and seeing what they could become together.
I went back and forth between fine art and textile design, and eventually chose textiles because I thought I'd go into fashion. During my studies, I realized I was much more drawn to designing for the home. And by my final year, I knew exactly what I loved most: textile objects for living spaces.
The memory that started everything
That last year, I started digging into childhood memories. I kept coming back to one: I was around 6 or 7, sailing with my grandfather and my father along the shores of Ashkelon in southern Israel. My father has always loved the sea — and I caught that from him.
I started studying the materials on the boat. The ropes. The wood. The metal. The texture of everything. I began playing with those materials, creating small objects, experimenting.
Slowly, I started working with knots — and the knots kept growing. I wrapped ropes in fabric sleeves, began tying them into different forms, and eventually arrived at a knot called the Turk's Head. I made large fabric tubes, stuffed them with acrylic fill, and tied them — and suddenly something completely new existed.
A knot pouf.
I kept developing this technique — fabric knots, growing in scale and complexity — and for my graduation project in 2013, I created a full collection: a knot ottoman, a bench, a stool, and even a sail made from fabric.
The project was a huge success. And the moment I graduated, I made a decision:
I'm opening a studio. I'm calling it Knots Studio.
I was 26. No clients, no business experience, no production process. Just a decision.
I'll continue the story next week.
I hope this was interesting — and if you have any questions, leave a comment below. I'd love to hear from you.
Neta
Founder & Head Designer, Knots Studio
