Monkey & the BrownMan begin their global crusade to bring to fans the extraordinary and sometimes ordinary tales of people who 'know who they are'. We want to inspire you and encourage you to explore life, take risks and above all else 'Know Who You Are' in the pursuit of your dreams – however big, or small they may be.

Where we left off, guerrilla knitter Magda Sayeg, has touched the lives of crafty civilians all over the world, taking everyday items and making them beautiful with her creative form of graffiti art.....

Has that sign-post always been there?

In Australia, to collaborate with Sydney artist, Denise Litchfield, Magda Sayeg, the founder of Knitta Please, (a global movement to ‘yarn bomb’ the world), transformed the entrance to the National Gallery in Canberra, utilising her creative talents in knitting.

A brief stop in Sydney for a few days, gave Magda the opportunity to touch our beautiful city with her unique form of art, covering city landmarks with brightly stitched yarns (imagine beanies on side-walk pillars, leg-warmers on street lamps, and jumpers for sign posts). The aim of her projects are to make people stop and see objects they normally wouldn’t – whether it be a parking meter, a statue, or as small as a door-knob.

It is other ‘people’s response (that) brings (her) back to realising the excitement and reason for doing it.’ She feels ‘empowered by knitting,… to have the love coming to her’ from people she has inspired.

Neon yarn – the impossible dream?

Sayeg is truly evolving to know who she is, as her notoriety increases, opportunities become wider and involve potential book deals, exploration of an accessories range, and her desire to collaborate with yarn companies, she wants to be able to ‘give people a piece of Knitta Please.’

What seems to be her biggest hurdle to date is getting the larger companies, who by necessity she has to negotiate with, to see her point of view in how to bring knitting to a wider and more contemporary audience.

From developing knitting patterns for more fashionable garment designs, to creating exciting yarn colours and textures (neon colours, glo-in-the-dark, and anything other than pastels and a million shades of brown), Sayeg is passionate about changing the public opinion on what knitting is about, and being a more realistic ‘pin-up girl’ for knitters.

Know who you are?

Her obvious passion for her art and for pushing the boundaries of conventional craft projects, challenges other’s to really think differently about what they can achieve, and what their greater purpose is. As unexpected as the success of Knitta Please has been, it really appears to have lead Magda Sayeg toward the life she desires.

All of her dreams are definitely within sight because of her clear vision of what she wishes to achieve, and her strong belief in who she is.

Simply through her belief in herself and from making the most of the opportunities that have come to her, Magda has become a role model to a far reaching demographic of people and she has the potential to inspire passion in the lives of many.

Check your inbox’s next fortnight for Part 1 of Monkey and the BrownMan’s ‘Know Who You Are’ feature on local volunteer surf lifesaver, Channel Seven TV personality, and all round adrenaline junkie, Pete Wells, as we discover more about his passion for achieving the toughest of physical challenges.