The craftsmanship of Kenana Knitters
Behind every comforter, soft toy and animal rug by Kenana Knitters is a pair of hands, a name, a skill passed down through generations — and a valley in Kenya where knitting has become a source of independence for hundreds of women. At Studio Matongé, we chose this maker for the softness of its pieces and for the meaningful opportunities they create.
A social enterprise in the heart of the Rift Valley
Founded in 1998 by Patricia Nightingale, Kenana Knitters is a social enterprise based in Njoro, in Nakuru County, around 200 km from Nairobi. Today, it brings together several hundred craftswomen — knitters and spinners — around textile skills handed down locally from generation to generation.
In this rural area, women generally do not have the same rights or opportunities as men when it comes to paid employment or land ownership. Agricultural wages, more readily available to men, are often insufficient on their own to support the large, extended families common in the region.
Knitting as a path to independence
These women are the mainstay of their households, balancing unpaid domestic work — housework, subsistence farming, raising children and caring for older relatives — with poorly paid employment. For Kenana Knitters, women are at the heart of their communities. The enterprise works to help them support themselves through dignified work in a safe environment where their families can thrive.
The aim is simple but powerful: to give each knitter a fair source of income paid directly to her. Each craftswoman knits at home, at her own pace, and signs the pieces she makes. Sales also fund practical social support: computer and literacy classes, family planning sessions, preventive health campaigns and counselling for the women and their families.
Exceptional textile craftsmanship
The character of Kenana Knitters begins with the material. The wool is hand-spun from a blend of locally raised breeds — Merino, Hampshire Down and Dorper — reared without mulesing. Depending on the design, colours come from the natural ecru, grey and brown shades of undyed wool, plant-based dyes, or dyes free from azo colourants and cadmium.
For its cotton ranges, Kenana Knitters uses GOTS-certified organic cotton, supporting production that respects people and the environment throughout the supply chain. The result is entirely handmade pieces whose small irregularities are part of their charm, with each stitch bearing the touch of its maker. Discover what GOTS certification guarantees.
Kenana Knitters at Studio Matongé
At Studio Matongé, the Kenana Knitters collection brings together two complementary worlds.
The first is for children: GOTS organic cotton comforters, wool soft toys and animal rugs, all knitted and sewn by hand. Soft, expressive and lasting companions for a new baby, a child's room or a thoughtfully chosen gift.
The second is for the home: wool cushions, matching sets, round Bonbonsi cushions and Tanggoor throws bring warmth and distinctive craftsmanship to living rooms and bedrooms. These pieces draw on the same skills in a more decorative way, combining natural materials, generous shapes and everyday comfort.
In both, each creation bears the hallmark of Kenana Knitters: a handmade piece with warmth and character, just enough irregularity, and a beauty inseparable from the hands that shaped it.
Why choose a Kenana Knitters piece?
Choosing Kenana Knitters means choosing something handmade, soft, lasting and deeply human. Whether for a new baby, a child's room or a textile piece to treasure for years, these creations embody what Studio Matongé looks for in every object: carefully chosen materials, visible craftsmanship, simple beauty and a story that never feels like a marketing line.
A cotton comforter, wool soft toy, cushion or animal rug becomes more than an accessory: a gentle presence, a thoughtful handmade piece to give, keep or pass on.
