About Atelier Ooi

                   

Hello, I’m Julia, the heart and hands behind Atelier Ooi.
I was born in Budapest, raised with a passion for music, dancing and crafting. I became a Spanish teacher, and made the life-changing decision to move to Utrecht with my husband, our three sons, and our two beloved pets—our dog and cat. Leaving behind the cherished yarn shop that I co-ran with a close friend in Hungary was incredibly hard, but after a year, I realized I couldn’t live without wool. That’s when Atelier Ooi was born.

At the core of my work is a deep commitment to local sheep and their wool. My dream is to one day have my own yarn spun here, using Dutch wool, and to continue the wool-saving mission my friend and I started back in Hungary.

Knitting is where it all began for me—a skill passed down from my grandmother that holds a special place in my heart. The rhythmic click of needles and the feel of yarn in my hands take me back to my childhood and connect me to the women in my family who came before me.

Beyond wool, I’m passionate about protecting the planet. Every decision I make in my business is driven by a desire to do less harm to Mother Earth. From recycling and reusing materials to minimizing paper waste, I do my best to keep sustainability at the forefront. I also prioritize using European yarn bases to reduce the carbon footprint of shipping, and I’ve decided to keep my shipping within Europe—because I believe there are incredible naturally dyed yarns available all around the world, and staying local makes a real difference.

Thank you for visiting Atelier Ooi—I’m so glad you’re here!