Community knit sessions combine the creativity of the young with the skills of the elderly
Retail
Netherlands-based Granny's Finest is pairing young designers with elderly knitters to create new products, and foster community spirit in the process.
In large cities, different pockets of the community rarely interact with each other, and most people don't even speak to their neighbors. We've previously seen schemes such as Talk To Me London attempt to get urbanites to get chatting, but now a Netherlands-based project called Granny's Finest is pairing young designers with elderly knitters to create new products, and foster community spirit in the process.
The scheme works with young fashion students who want to bring their designs into reality by teaming them up with members of the senior population who have decades of knitting experience. During knit sessions, the young designers can present their ideas to the older members and discuss how to create the items. As well as resulting in a finished product that's ready to sell under the Granny's Finest brand, the sessions provide a break from the loneliness that the older generation often feel when they're disconnected from their community. The younger participants can also learn how to knit, or simply sit and chat to the people making their designs. Young models, photographers and makeup artists can also get involved in the promotion side once the items have been knitted.
Watch the video below (in Dutch) to learn more about the idea:
Granny's Finest gives young people a platform to get their designs made and sold as well as connect with members of the community. Older members get the chance to knit with their friends, chat with young people and have their skills appreciated by a wider audience. Are there other way to bring together disparate members of the community to create new and interesting products?
5th September 2014
Email: info@grannysfinest.com
Website: www.grannysfinest.com