article : Shuttleknit

For those of us who studied ‘Silas Marner’ for the leaving, weaving often conjures up images of a lone craft worker, weaving in fingerless gloves by candlelight. Well, things have changed since the dark days of Silas Marner and the good people of ‘Shuttleknit’ are testament to the progression weaving has made in terms of design and skill.

• On one lovely day in October, we headed to Wicklow to visit the Shuttleknit studio and workshop which is located just outside Wicklow town. We were welcomed by Mella, who manages sales and production for this unique company which combines the skills of travellers and settled persons to produce a range of knitted and woven products.
  The workshop is housed in a building overlooking the sea. On arrival, the first thing that hit us was the friendly, warm atmosphere. Calling unannounced, knitters and weavers were in full flight preparing for the RDS Christmas craft fair. Yarns of the highest quality are used to produce scarves, gloves, throws and a variety of ladies fashions.
  After a quick cup of tea and catch up with Mella, we got talking to their master weaver, who mans the main weaving machine which consists of endless loops & pullies. He proceeded to guide us through the setting up of such a machine to produce a run of woven coloured yarns which will end up as scarves and throws. To say this man would talk the hind legs off a donkey is an understatement! He seemed to take a shine to Laura having mentioned that she briefly considered weaving over metals in NCAD ten years ago. ‘Sure you would know about that’, he would say to Laura following a technical description of the weaving machine. He didn’t seem to be bothered by the blank expression and shrug of the shoulders he received as a response. 
  The enterprise employs six people which includes one manager, four full-time and one part-time members of staff.  The fully trained weaver works on a part time basis to train and develop staff. Innovative and new designs are produced each season to ensure Shuttle Knit has a competitive edge within the knitting and weaving industry.

  A bit on the background of Shuttleknit:

  Shuttle Knit emerged as an enterprise in 2001, resulting from the work of Wicklow Traveller’s Group Limited.  Supported by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (DGRA) under the Community Service Programme, Shuttle Knit is a stand alone business which involves Travellers and settled persons working together to design and produce a comprehensive range of knitted and woven products.
  Apart from promoting business enterprise and partnership, Shuttle Knit actively promotes social inclusion and addresses inadequacies experienced by members of the Traveller community.  It provides opportunities for people to develop both their academic and work related skills.

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