The Wooly Rouge Knitters
“I was knitting before I could read… My grandmother taught me everything about knitting. It’s in my blood! I can’t sit down without knitting… Even if there are no orders, I knit…”
All the knitters tell the story of a tradition deeply rooted within them . By becoming professionals, the knitters working for the NGOs Udružene and Wooly Rouge have fully grasped the heritage and know-how they are guardians of .
Today, trained in Udružene training centers in new techniques and to a high degree of standard, the knitters are giving new life to knitting and giving it its rightful place in today's fashion.
By achieving the status of professional knitters, their self-perception changes, as does their place within their families and communities. A change in status that benefits everyone.
Amela, the workshop manager in constant contact with the knitters, can attest to this.
“In our rural society, in our families, women’s position is often unfavorable; the man is the head of the household, he dominates. But the income women earn here significantly changes the way their families treat them . The simple fact of earning and bringing money home changes one’s status within the family. Even men begin to think differently and appreciate this new arrangement. The woman feels better, the husband too, and ultimately, the whole family benefits.”
Huma, a knitter from the Konjic region: “We women were left like ‘felled trees,’ as we say back home. Without education, without jobs… We weren’t valued, and our position within the home was taken for granted. But today, through knitting, I’ve gained courage, I feel more confident . And then, it’s true, money matters too: now I no longer have to ask my husband for money to do things for me.”
In a country with a painful recent history, knitting finally provides an important psychological benefit .
Knitting is renowned for its therapeutic qualities , particularly in cases of trauma. The repetitive motion, the soft and comforting texture of the wool, the colors, the beauty of the finished product, the need for intense concentration... all soothe and help to ease the pain. In short, knitting heals! Knitters say nothing different.
Rabija: "When I knit, I concentrate solely on the work. It takes the dark memories away from me, relaxes me, soothes me, makes me feel good."
Merima agrees: “Knitting helps me stay calm. When I knit, my thoughts stop, and it calms me down. It’s a bit like therapy. I was advised to see a psychologist to talk about everything I’ve been through, but knitting has allowed me to come back to life.”
Since 2012, the NGO "Udruzene" and Wooly Rouge have trained more than 450 women.