Commuknitty Is New Initiative Auctioning One-of-a-Kind Knitwear For Charity

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Paolina Russo's knit zip-up for CommuknittyPhoto: Aidan Zamiri / Courtesy of Commuknitty

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For as long as knitting has existed as a medium, it has been a collaborative endeavor. Thousands of years into human history, we still have knitting circles and clubs—plus countless online forums to discuss the ins and outs of one of the world’s oldest extant crafts. Now a group of London talents are coming together to mobilize their knitting community for good. Knitwear studios Knitster LDN and Loop Studios joined forces with Kaysha Sinclair to create Commuknitty, a knit-based initiative that empowers young designers to use their passion for charity. Today, the organization announces its first project: an online auction of seven one-of-a-kind knitwear pieces that will raise money for the Emergency Designer Network, a British coalition of fashion designers producing PPE and hospital scrubs founded in March of this year by Holly Fulton, Bethany Williams, and Phoebe English, and supported by Cozette McCreery.

Ahluwalia's graphic knitPhoto: Courtesy of Commuknitty

The seven pieces up for auction come from a cross-section of inspiring British talent. LVMH Prize finalist Priya Ahluwalia made a patterned crewneck in azure and tomato red. Menswear label Stefan Cooke iterated on its signature argyle cut-out pattern, while womenswear duo Kepler London created one of its well-known filmy dresses in a rich shade of brown. Next in Fashion winner Daniel W. Fletcher produced a star-spangled sweater inspired by the jockey shirts that formed part of his fall 2020 collection. “In shirt form they were rendered in stiff silks, but I translated them into knitwear for this project with satin stars appliquéd into the shoulders, a design I first showed when I was on Next In Fashion,” Fletcher explains. Each item will be available for bidding on eBay starting the week of June 28. The pieces are all made from Italian and British yarns provided by Commuknitty and produced in Loop and Knitster LDN’s studios.

An argyle sweater by Stefan CookePhoto: Courtesy of Commuknitty

“I learned how to crochet from my Nonna growing up, but it wasn’t until I started my BA studies at Central Saint Martins that I found my passion for knitting as medium to create my work,” says designer Paolina Russo, whose contribution to the sale is a butterfly-inspired zip top whose fluttering image represents change. “As a maker, I knew it was my responsibility to help in whatever way I could. There was a huge lack of PPE for NHS workers in the UK, and the Emergency Designer Network have been tirelessly working and fundraising for scrubs to be made by volunteers across the UK. It has been so inspiring seeing strangers come together and collaborate, lending their skills and knowledge to help this cause. I jumped at the opportunity to lend my skill set in knitwear to help raise money for EDN and the NHS.”

“Supporting the Emergency Designer Network was an easy decision to make,” echoes Berthold designer Raimund Berthold, whose piece is an optical black and white cable knit. “COVID-19 affected us all hugely and raising funds to produce scrubs for hospitals and care homes felt like a natural contribution to make.”

Kepler London designers Alexandra Hadjikyriacou and Jaimee McKenna met through a knitting course at Central Saint Martins and describe the Commuknitty project as a great way for knitwear designers to give back during the pandemic, especially because knits are not applicable for medical supplies or masks. “We participated because we wanted to come together to support such a great cause and we really believe in the fundamentals of this project. As we are knitters we haven’t been able to make scrubs and this project is about community and coming together through all of our mutual love of the craft of knit.”

Each unique piece will have a starting bid of £100 on the Commuknitty eBay page and be up for seven days. The funds raised will directly benefit the Emergency Designer Network, allowing for another group of British designers to purchase materials to make scrubs and other supplies for hospital workers.

“We have always wanted to support the causes we believe in and have always believed collaboration gets us further than we can go on our own,” says designer Carlota Berrera. “It might not be world-changing, but we hope that if everyone does something, however small that is within their means and power, we can all move in the right direction together.”

A filmy dress by Kepler LondonPhoto: Courtesy of Commuknitty
Daniel W Fletcher's star designPhoto: Courtesy of Commuknitty
A cut-out tank by Carlota BarreraPhoto: Courtesy of Commuknitty
A colorblocked sweater by BertholdPhoto: Courtesy of Commuknitty