Colville called out to knitters around the world to use the first lockdown to make unique personal contributions to blankets, that will be auctioned to benefit a women’s refuge in Milan.

The project offered people an opportunity to create something beautiful together through the ancient craft of knitting, that could also make a difference by supporting CADMI, a refuge for
vulnerable women and victims of domestic violence.

At the beginning of the first lockdown Colville invited knitters to knit a unique and personal square of 20cm x 20cm using any yarns, colours and scraps they loved. The call to action
encouraged everyone to post their squares on instagrams and create a “virtual blanket”, to raise further awareness for the project and the CADMI Charity.

Colville were moved and overwhelmed by the response with hundreds of squares being sent from Japan, South Africa, Australia, Denmark, Germany and from all around the globe. The
feedback was deeply touching with many people sending letters expressing how the project inspired them and how grateful they were to have found a new focus and purpose during the challenging months of lockdown.

Colville has worked with Manusa, an association in Florence that helps vulnerable people including recent immigrants looking for skills training and work. Manusa have assembled and
hand crocheted the squares into five blankets.

‘Calling All Knitters’ has far outgrown Colville’s first idea, and has involved many hands all around the world passing on their skill, dedication and their stories to each other through
their gentle, loving, and individual creative touch.