The development and evaluation of a speciality handknitting yarn using appropriate technology for the empowerment of women in rural India
- Submitting institution
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The University of Huddersfield
- Unit of assessment
- 32 - Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
- Output identifier
- 58
- Type
- D - Journal article
- DOI
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10.1108/RJTA-03-2016-0005
- Title of journal
- Research Journal of Textile and Apparel
- Article number
- -
- First page
- 136
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 3
- ISSN
- 1560-6074
- Open access status
- Technical exception
- Month of publication
- September
- Year of publication
- 2016
- URL
-
-
- Supplementary information
-
-
- Request cross-referral to
- -
- Output has been delayed by COVID-19
- No
- COVID-19 affected output statement
- -
- Forensic science
- No
- Criminology
- No
- Interdisciplinary
- No
- Number of additional authors
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2
- Research group(s)
-
-
- Proposed double-weighted
- No
- Reserve for an output with double weighting
- No
- Additional information
- The aim of this research was the identification and proving of the appropriate technology and rigorous evaluation of the properties of the yarn and fabric produced in response to an identified real-world problem. The research in this article initiates an original framework of activities and measures to develop an upcycled hand knitting yarn using left overs of silk warps that are used in the sari weaving industry in Vellanchery in Southern India. The research was built upon rigorous and detailed observations in the village, designed to identify an appropriate method for the manufacture of yarn that would be acceptable for the unpaid female labour in the handloom sector. The speciality yarn developed using the left-over silk warp yarns blended with lambs’ wool and was tested against five market available hand knitting yarns, which were similar in terms of visual effect and handle. The objective measurements of the yarn were triangulated with subjective data to provide a complete quality analysis.
This study utilises rigorous, novel mixed methods to collect data within a real-world situation with a defined social problem where design thinking and transition design are applied to the problem. The resultant model has justified application to be used for social change for the women in Vellanchery.
This research matters because it makes a positive contribution to a real-world problem for the empowerment of women in Vellanchery in Southern India. The original design model of the study has the potential to be recontextualised to other geographical contexts with similar social problems and challenges for women in these other communities.
- Author contribution statement
- -
- Non-English
- No
- English abstract
- -