MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — Maggie Thompson can remember her first knitting project: A flute case at her Waldorf school in fourth grade.
Since then, her love for textiles has only grown.
Thompson received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design and opened her knitwear business, Makwa Studio, a year later in 2014.
Located in the Northrup King Building in northeast Minneapolis, Thompson started her business with just two balls of yarn for a hat.
"It's slowly been growing from there. I didn't have a lot of capital to begin with. I've never applied for a loan," Thompson said. "I wanted to... have flexibility in working for myself because I was taking care of a parent at the time. And then also to create and keep my own designs. I think being a Native artist and feeling protective of your work."
Thompson (Fond du Lac Ojibwe) is inspired by her Ojibwe heritage and it can be seen in her work.
"I'd say some and some not. I think like subtle references to like beadwork, and quillwork, ribbonwork, different florals. I also grew up skateboarding so it's like poppy colors," Thompson said.
Thompson and her team use vintage Brother knitting machines to create their pieces. Makwa Studio is known for its cowls and beanies. The studio has also done some high-profile collaborations including one with Target.
For those looking to support Native artists, Thompson said, "Do your research. Make sure you are supporting a Native artist. I think I get a lot of questions like, 'Oh, can I wear this?' And my answer is like of course. It's a beanie. It's also my job to tell you if it's inappropriate. But it's winter wear."
Beyond the business, Thompson looks at the studio as a space to connect and learn.
During the protests in response to the murder of George Floyd, the studio made masks. Thompson is also exploring ways to uplift and elevate other artists.
Their partnership with Dogwood Coffee Co. helped them purchase an STOLL industrial knitting machine.
"They gave us 100% of the profits of some coffee beans that we helped design a label for and that really helped elevate and lift us to be able to get the machine. Just seeing that impact, I'd like to reflect that in our business, as well," Thompson said.
The machine, which Thompson describes as a "printer for knitwear," will allow them to produce more complicated designs. The machine is meant for a finer yarn. They will still use the vintage machines when working with thicker yarns.
"The hand ones are really hard on your body so this just allows us to kind of take care of ourselves more and do more stuff," Thompson said.
You can shop Makwa Studio online.
Makwa Studio will also be open during Art Attack, located on the second floor (238) of the Northrup King Building.
The open studio event runs Nov. 10 (5-9 p.m.), Nov. 11 (12-8 p.m.) and Nov. 12 (12-5 p.m.).
Know a local business we should feature for our Behind the Business segment? Email Heidi Wigdahl at hwigdahl@kare11.com.
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