Our Impact

Employment and Leadership

ShuttleKnit is a proven model of Traveller women’s leadership through enterprise, as demonstrated by:

  • 3 generations of Traveller women employed.
  • 85% of our current team are Traveller women.
  • Women leading in production, embroidery, and business development.

Cultural recognition

We believe in design as storytelling and culture as power

  • Keeping traditional craft skills alive while innovating with design.
  • Products that tell cultural stories — like An Capall (The Horse).
  • Challenging stereotypes and putting Traveller creativity into the mainstream.

Policy Influence

Our influence on policy is led by the community, not imposed from outside

  • Demonstrating Traveller-led entrepreneurship in action.
  • Offering a replicable model for other Traveller groups.
  • Showing policymakers what real inclusion looks like. 

Next Generation and Legacy

We are building legacies, not just livelihoods

  • Inspiring younger Traveller women to see a future in craft and business.
  • Building a creative pipeline for daughters and the next generation.
  • Laying the foundation for Ireland’s first Traveller-led heritage brand.
  • With #MAGGIE2035 we are working towards towards a future where Traveller women thrive as entrepreneurs, leaders, and cultural pioneers.

Environmental Impact

We believe in sustainability, as demonstrated by:

  • Turning waste into one-of-a-kind homeware pieces.
  • Using eco-friendly yarns and creative reuse.
  • Leading with initiatives like Knit Swap to keep textiles in circulation.

25 years ahead of policy

ShuttleKnit has been quietly achieving what national and EU frameworks are only now aspiring to:

  • Employment
  • Inclusion
  • Sustainability
  • Cultural pride.