“I wanted to make something catchier, and something everyone will want to and can do it themselves easily. That’s why I designed Knit-Shock!!.” — Oozu Makoto

AWW: How did you come up with the idea of combining cross-stitch with watch-making?

Oozu: I have always thought that if cross-stitching is only for framing and decorating room, it will be boring so I started doing cross-stitching myself. Stitching ornament on handkerchiefs or shirts must be cute, but I wanted to make something catchier, and something everyone will want to and can do it themselves easily. That’s why I designed Knit-Shock!!.

AWW: I notice all of your products are associated with cross-stitch (The cross-stitched clocks are adorable!) Why are you so attached to embroidery?

Oozu: Techniques of cross-stitch are quite easy even I as a person who is not good at detailed work. That is a catalyst for me to be so attached to cross-stitch. Also, cross-stitch works look like pixel art which reminds me of retro games. That’s cool.

AWW: You organised workshops for people to design and make their own watches. What makes these hand-made watches different from other ordinary watches we can purchase in stores?

Oozu: That’s totally different. As this DIY kit, everyone would be watch designer and also craftsmen. You can design and assemble a watch by yourself, so that is the one and only watch in the world and it is absolutely different from mass-produced ones. Giving our sweethearts a hand-knitted scarf as a gift was formerly popular in Japan. I hope this Knit-Shock!! will replace it.
It’s easier and cooler than hand-knitted scarf, isn’t it?

AWW: People wear accessories to express their unique styles. How can a knit-SHOCK’s watch say something about a person’s personality?

Oozu: This Knit-Shock is sold in specialty fashion stores such as BEAMS Tokyo, I.T Hong Kong, and so on, which are fashionable and popular amongst young people. I didn’t design it to be handled in these stores originally, however I’m glad about these originality and uniqueness was accepted by those fashionable people and stores.

AWW: What kinds of outfits do you think match perfectly with knit-SHOCK!!’s watches?

Oozu: Of course, it must match perfectly with casual style, but wearing Knit-Shock!! together with smart casual as an accent should be nice too, shouldn’t it?
One thing I can tell you for sure is, everyone who sees this watch on your wrist will be happy!