Chiara: The Knitter

I’m a big fan of handmade products. Besides having a unique item for myself, buying handmade products supports the artists. I buy directly from the makers who are passionate about their craft. Handmade products are made with love. It’s amazing to know the stories behind them. This time, I want to introduce Chiara, the Knitter.

Knitty Gritty by Chiara

Chiara Karenina Manuel started knitting in 2016 when a good friend gave her a pair of needles and acrylic yarn. She used all the YouTube tutorials she watched to make artworks. At first, she was into crochet but she wanted to make larger items so she started knitting.

I am inspired with people who can make something useful and beautiful out of just thread or yarn. It also calms me and challenges my creativity in creating beauty through my hands.

Chiara Manuel of Knitty Gritty

Knitting with a Purpose

Chiara has a heart for cats and dogs. She provides the basic needs of foster dogs by selling Kitty Hats. They are so cute, I bought two! Would you believe that she used to foster NINE dogs?

She found a way for people to switch to sustainable dish washing sponges through her knitted abaca scrubbies. She makes hemp scrubbies, cotton bath poufs, and cotton rounds.

According to Chiara, full time knitting means earning according to sales. Knitty Gritty only produces what’s needed and wanted. The challenge is that she only earns from what she can deliver. Her income depends on the volume of orders. Furthermore, Chiara is planning to organize a group of women who knit so it can be their source of livelihood.

Travel with Chiara

Although she’s based in the Philippines, her handmade warmers, from cowls to scarves, have traveled a long way. Her crafts have been to Japan, Netherlands, Taiwan, China, United States, New Zealand, Hong Kong, among others.

I bring my yarns anywhere, I knitted on a speed boat ride from Abra de Ilog to Puerto Galera, on a Bangka during our island hopping in Palawan, bus rides, train rides, FX lines – simply anywhere where I don’t want my time wasted.

Chiara, The Knitter

Favorite Place

My favorite place would be Kiangan, Ifugao. I will never forget immersing with the locals and experiencing farming at the rice terraces! Nagacadan Rice Terraces in Kiangan, Ifugao is a UNESCO world heritage site that will really take your breath away. A shot of tapuy, cold air, and warm people, I will definitely come back.

Dream Destination

Batanes. Ever since I was young, I have been curious of Batanes because it is the topmost island of the archipelago. Now that I have an idea what wonders it can promise, I can’t wait to travel and visit Batanes!

Be driven by your capacity to create and remember to respect your time and make others respect your terms. If others are not willing to purchase according to your rate and schedule, they aren’t the right audience for your craft. At the end of the day, people should put premium on the skill, the time, and the quality of the item they are asking us to make. Put premium on handmade and never sell yourself short for this to be sustainable.

Chiara, The Knitter

Do you want to be a knitter? Are you fond of using handmade products? Follow her on social media.

• Facebook: Knitty Gritty by Chiara
• Instagram: @knittygrittybychiara

Besides writing about my travel adventures, I also feature amazing people that I meet in my journey. Chiara is one of my org mates from UP Community Broadcasters’ Society. She’s my classmate when I was in college.

If you enjoyed reading her story, you might also read about some of the artists I featured:

• Rens Tuzon: The Coffee Painter
• Thrianne: The Makeup Artist
• Felson & Sheena: The Gospel Recording Artists