Beautiful knitwear
made by Syrian women
We commissioned this crochet child’s lifejacket from Abeer for World Refugee Day in June 2019. We wanted to illustrate, with a symbol of the refugee crisis, how some refugees are staying afloat thanks to their skills. In the case of Knitstanbul, these skills are crochet and knitting, and a few of our ladies sustain their families entirely by their work for us. This lifejacket is currently in London and it is for sale, to raise cash for our project. Please enquire at [email protected]
we work towards
Refugee Empowerment
Knitstanbul is a social enterprise that was started in Istanbul in 2015.
It empowers Syrian refugee women by employing them to knit baby and children’s clothes and toys, which are then sold in Turkey, Europe and the US.
Knitstanbul is run by a team of Syrian refugees and British volunteers in Istanbul and London.
Syrian Knitters
Knitwear Designs
+ Countries Sold
Featured Handmade Products
Remembrance Day brooch
Macrame bag made by Abeer
Tala bunny the beautiful girl
Get Involved
Support our women
Our fixed costs are low – the only person who is paid a salary is our manager in Istanbul – and we depend a great deal on the help of volunteers, who donate their time, their suitcase space and their skills.
With donations and any profit, we keep up this website, we protect ourselves from the volatility of the Turkish lira, we buy wool for samples and in advance of orders, and we develop and buy packaging.
Every donation, however small, really helps! Paypal is the easiest, but we can also take cash in Istanbul.
– Malika Browne, founder.
Love | Positivity | Sharing
I ordered 12 little knitted cats for my daughter’s party, as going home presents. Knitstanbul sent each one with its own little bag and a branded tag. Everyone was so delighted to receive something entirely different and original (made a change from Haribos and plastic toys) and it was amazing to support the knitters’ efforts in the process.
I’m a knitter and I love making handmade gifts. However, I give Knitstanbul sweaters to all my baby friends because I want to support Syrian women and because they knit much better than I do! Each item has impressed me with it’s durability and beauty.
I just wanted to say that I learned about KNITSTANBUL through a segment on Al-Jazeera. What a wonderful cause! I’m looking forward to giving this beautiful toy to my one-year-old niece. Thank you for all you do
Everything I have ordered has been beautifully made, unique and makes me feel happy to support the women and their work
I meant to say my niece is kept so warm and cosy in the romper I bought her in the new year when she was just a few weeks old!! Really beautiful and skilled knitting! Thank you.
My bunny and pig arrived yesterday and they are adorable (and really well-made). Thank you so much for sending them out.
The reindeer are amazing and we love them. Thank you very, very much. They will be greatly loved.
A fabulous, unique and home-made reindeer from Knitstanbul. Intended for my daughter but I might keep it for myself!
Thank you – love the donuts. . . . . and the cherry brooch. All of them gorgeous! Thank you.
“Knitstanbul is a great opportunity for me to earn some money. I live alone in Istanbul with my child. Nobody is supporting me.”
– Souhair, Knitstanbul manager in Istanbul
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