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Textile Design
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kausar-8185@yahoomail.com |
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Knit and Purl
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Exploring Design Opportunities with the Hand Knitters of Kumaon
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Guide Aditi Ranjan |
Sponsonr AVANI, Uttarakhand
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I completed my project in the Kumaon district of Uttarkhand. My objective was to introduce product innovation using the local craft of knitting and to introduce more employment generation opportunities for the craftswomen.
My project integrated the use of local skills and crafts such as natural dyeing and spinning. I designed collections of knitted collections of different shapes- neck warmers, and knitted mufflers. American and European visitors were instrumental in giving feedback about these woolen products. I also worked on a brand new category of products – knitted stuffed toys. Most of these woolen products were designed to suit the North Indian winters and the silk products were comfortable even for places with warmer winters. I am pleased that American and European visitors purchased a few of my products. My collection will be presented at various exhibitions- the Nature Bazaar exhibition in Delhi, others in France and Europe.
Design know-how transfer and technique upgradation was an intended valuable outcome. I assisted in organizing knitting workshops for women from 2-3 nearby villages. The project helped in building the capabilities of the craftswomen in terms of interpreting instructions and carrying out little problem solving exercises individually as a group. Collaborative learning through sharing and teaching each other gained importance in the process. I realized that sometimes breaking away from the set rules and patterns helps in coming up with new interesting ideas.
This experience was fulfilling both in terms of creative aspects of design as well as in terms of social responsibility. |
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