My first blog is the story of HOW these beautiful creature are made, the daily lives of the Knitters themselves that work at Kenana Knitters.
It all happens on a farm in the rural area of Njoro, Kenya (East Africa). A place called Kenana Knitters, with 200+ women, and this is how the magic happens.
So the key ingredient, the wool is bought, handspun by spinners from near and far, who come on wool buying days (another group of people supported by Kenana Knitters). This wool is then dyed, a process lead by Monica who runs the Kitchen department. In the picture here is Susan - her right-hand woman cooking up a storm! Depending on what orders and therefore colours required, the wool is dyed using natural plant parts grown on the farm, like petals and leaves. A process I wont reveal the secrets of! As the wholesale requests come in from around the world, order sheets are written up. Each day these order sheets are handed out to the women with the details of the products and how many are required for the sales, as well as an order date they are due by. At the end of each day the corresponding pattern, wool or organic cotton they will need for that order are also given out, along with the needles. The women are free to come in as and when they choose, they arrive in groups, on their own or with a child on the hip and one on the hand. Children are welcome and there's even a children's corner with donated books and toys. Its a beautiful beginning to the day to watch the women walking up the road knitting needles clicking as they walk with the intermittent cackle of laughter.
Firsts things first, and most women go down to the washing area where they can wash the items they have already knitted. Once washed these are then laid out to dry in the African sun. Whilst they wait the ladies sit and catch up with friends and neighbours, more laughter and clicking of needles.
There is a radio on in the background with the latest catchy Kenyan songs, but for most this is their source of national news as well as a newspaper which also arrives daily to be shared among those able to read and spread the word.
Usually by lunchtime if they are lucky (on overcast days sometimes longer) their items might be dry and they collect them up, ready for stuffing and finishing off. Eyes and mouths sewn on, attaching arms and legs, its an inspiring process to watch these creatures come together.
Once completed they are taken up to the main table where they are checked, collected and noted down for payment. They are then sent over to the labeling table. A group of usually three or four women headed by the ever smiling Anna Akai sit at the labeling table and as the items come in they attach the Kenana labels with the Knitters name on. The products are checked again, and then put away in the store ready for the day of packing and shipping off around the globe.
As the day draws to a close the women pack up their things, there is a small store for things that didn't quite get finished in time and other bits and bobs to be pulled out again tomorrow. Lastly the various Knitters who completed their items are paid, and everyone heads home smiling, laughing some with needles still clicking.
It's a marvelous business, helping wonderful women and if you ever get to Kenya you must pop in for a visit, the campsite next door does farm tours and part of that involves a wonder around Kenana Knitters so visit Kembu Campsite and meet these women for real.
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