Industrial knitting school Knovus has launched an introductory course to production and design, with founder and director Patricia Chircop saying it covers what the industry is lacking.
The Introduction to Knit Production is a one-day intensive course launching on May 17, and teaches the basic aspects of knit production and design. It covers different types of knit technology, including Shima Seiki machines, as well as creating technical specifications and communicating with manufacturers.
Chircop, who has over 15 years of experience in the knitwear industry, said designers today are already working with offshore manufacturers in an online capacity.
“[The course] allows designers to have a deeper look into what's happening in the factory and assist with identifying product challenges that they might be having in their development,” Chircop said. “In the fashion industry context right now, it's really helping designers have better language, understanding where the challenges might be with working with offshore manufacturers, or helping them understand how to do local manufacturing as well.”
Chircop said in her experience of running workshops, many designers didn't know how to communicate with factories due to lack of knowledge.
“One of the takeaways is that they come out knowing how to do a really good specification,” Chricop said. “Because it just shortens the lead time, then you can bring in circularity as well - because the better you can communicate, the money and time and waste you can save.”
The course adds on to Knovus’ suite of workshops, which includes a Shima Seiki intensive course.
“This is for people who have bought the machines, or who are looking at buying the machines,” Chircop said. “We do a five-day intensive workshop to get people really having a go at operating and programming those machines. And we've got Shima Seiki support on that.
“I don't know if you know Shima Seiki, but they're one of the global leaders of advanced knitting machines.”
Chircop said she is positioned as an industry expert in 3D seamless knitting production.
“I've also just embarked on a PhD to focus on doing that in a hyperlocal application, where it doesn't matter if you're Rip Curl or you're H&M or you're an independent designer, you can manufacture anywhere locally, because of the way these machines are,” Chircop said.
As a lecturer, she said there is nowhere to get the hands-on knowledge with Shima Seiki machines.
“I had Woolmark through the other week, I had the Graduate Award Program, and some of those graduates said they've learned more in two hours with me than they had in their whole bachelor degree,” Chircop said. “My gripe when I was a lecturer was that they're trying to get these kids so employable that they actually become unemployable. Because there's no focus outcomes, like real skills that are applied.
“So I've engaged many graduates in my practice over the years, and they just don't have any idea. Even basic practical things like how to make a specification.”
The Introduction to Knit Production runs from 10am to 4pm on May 17, with a cost of $1,229. It will take place at the Knovus studio in Carlton. Bookings can be made online at Knovus. Upon completion, students will receive a certificate, a specification template and Knovus’ Industrial Knit book valued at $45.00.