Knitting the Air is a community project that visualises air quality data through the power of knitting in Poplar, East London. Over 120 knitters have contributed to the ambitious goal of knitting data from two Breathe London air quality sensors. Starting in March 2023, their aim is to knit data for the entire year to help raise awareness about air pollution. Caroline Murray, Project Manager at Poplar HARCA explains how it all started and the conversations it is sparking,
Knitting the Air supported by Poplar HARCA and EcoWorld London and is part of Poplar Green Futures, a community led approach to create a greener and healthier Poplar.
What inspired the creation of ‘Knitting the Air’ and the unique concept of visualising air quality data through knitting?
We started Knitting the Air when air quality sensors were installed by researchers from Imperial College London’s Breathe London programme. As a housing provider in East London, we know air quality is a big challenge and one that we’ve been working to address with local communities for quite some time. It’s one of the biggest environmental risks to public health in the UK, but general awareness is still quite low.
So when we installed the sensor on one of our estates in Poplar and started getting readings for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) it posed the question: how do we get people interested and curious in this?
Which is where the knitting comes in! It might seem strange, but knitting and data in fact have a lot in common. Knitting is essentially like coding and there is a long tradition of knitting data. A group in the US called Tempestry have been knitting temperature blankets, showing climate change. A personal favourite is a knitter in Germany who made a scarf visualising their train delays during their daily commute. So it got us thinking: why not use knitting to visualise the air quality in Poplar?
Can you share the story of how ‘Knitting the Air’ mobilised over 100 knitters in Poplar, Tower Hamlets, UK?
We set ourselves the goal to knit data from not one, but two Breathe London sensors in Poplar for a whole year. That is a huge amount of knitting (over 1500 individual squares), but we felt it was important to explore air quality across the seasons. Plus we wanted to make something big to catch attention. Quickly we realised we were going to need a lot of help!
Fortunately, there are many Knit and Natter groups locally, plus we’d just started a lunch time knitting club at Poplar HARCA. So with yarn, needles and patterns at the ready, we got out and about across Poplar to see who wanted to be involved.
A game changer was when we connected with The Aberfeldy Practice, a local GP surgery which is a short walk from the sensors. They’ve always been aware of poor air locally, and see the impact it is having on peoples’ health every single day. Turns out they love knitting too and many of their staff have been solidly knitting for over a year now and are such champions for the project. They’ve even referred patients to get involved!
As word began to spread (knitters like chatting after all) people started calling us or messaging on Instagram asking to get involved. We’ve been running knitting meet-ups too, where we knit data together. I think part of the appeal is being part of something collective and bigger than yourself, plus people can contribute as much or as little as they want. Whether it is one square or many – it all adds up.
What role does ‘Knitting the Air’ play in promoting dialogue and action around environmental issues beyond Poplar and Tower Hamlets?
It’s so interesting to see how people respond to the knitted data. We’ve taken it out all across Tower Hamlets, going to community events and groups, local schools and GP surgeries. Being able to see and touch the artwork brings about more interaction and engagement. It instigates conversations about pollutants, World Health Organisation guidelines, and UK Legal Targets easily. From there the conversation opens up into what patterns they can see in the data, what is causing high readings, pointing out significant days like public holidays. People of all ages get curious and start asking questions. And that is the cornerstone of dialogue.
What often happens next is that people start sharing their personal experiences of air pollution. People talk about what they worry about, what they hope for and the impact on their own health. This is true of our knitters and the wider community.
In September 2023, we staged our first work in progress exhibition in Poplar – showcasing three months’ worth of completed data for everyone to see. At this exhibition we started gathering these stories and community reflections on air pollution as it feels very important to bring to life what this data means for people living in Poplar.
Can you share any memorable reactions or experiences from members of the community who participated in or interacted with the project?
So many, it’s very hard to choose from. A few that stand out:
For example during our first exhibition in September we were visited by staff and children from Culloden Primary School. One of our sensors is opposite their school entrance and near a very busy road. I was stunned by how clued up the children were. They instantly understood the knitting, air pollution and its impact. They told us stories about how many of their classmates suffer with asthma which was very worrying.
We staged another exhibition in Spring 2024 – showing six months of data from our sensors. It’s a really special moment when everyone involved comes along to see how their individual squares come together to make this wonderful exhibition. Even knitters who couldn’t make it in person, were so excited and proud to see pictures of their contribution. Even though the subject matter is serious and often sobering, there is a huge amount of positive energy going into this piece and importantly, hope for what it could help change.
How do you see the future of the Knitting the Air project and what impact do you hope it will continue to have?
Well we’ve not finished yet, but we’re getting there! We’re working hard to finish and get the last months of data all sewn together. Then we want to share the final work with the community. After that, we shall see!
Currently we are trying to gather stories of the knitters and communities who’ve been involved in this project. It has been a truly awesome feat to be involved in. I hope everyone’s hard work and dedication will lead to the changes needed to improve air quality across our city.
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