A Passion for Texture and Wearable Art
Ranti Ehinmola, a 27-year-old self-taught knitwear designer based in London, is pushing boundaries in the world of knitwear through her distinctive textiles and commitment to community building.
Her eponymous brand, Ranti Studios, launched just last year, but Ehinmola’s journey into the world of knitting began during the pandemic in 2020 as a way to pass the time.
“I have always made things for myself, but I found after posting my pieces on social media that people resonated with what I was creating and wanted to make similar projects for themselves,” Ehinmola shared with ESSENCE.com.
Knitting Patterns and Custom Creations
Ranti Studios offers a unique blend of knitting patterns to purchase, custom orders, and ready-to-wear pieces. Ehinmola meticulously toils over creating one-of-a-kind patterns and catering to those who want to experiment with new techniques, inviting her growing community to put their own spin on her designs.
“I love seeing all the variations that come from people putting their spin on my patterns,” she says.
Architectural Influences and Textural Exploration
With degrees in architecture from the Royal College of Art, Ehinmola’s designs are heavily influenced by her architectural background, combining texture and form to create wearable art pieces that amplify the possibilities of textiles through hand-knitting.
Her most popular pattern, the Romanesco jumper, features bulbous textures throughout the knit, achieved through a labor-intensive process that pushed Ehinmola to explore the limits of hand-knitting. The recently revealed Ranti jumper, with its subtle yet eye-catching fluffy stripes, is another testament to her mastery of texture and innovative techniques.
Building a Welcoming Community
While Ranti Studios splits its focus between physical products and hand-knit patterns, Ehinmola’s ultimate goal is to build a community around her brand. Although the knitwear community has been welcoming and wholesome through her experience, she hopes to introduce more Black creatives like herself into the space.
“The community she’s wanting to build is already gathering organically, although she would love to introduce more Black creatives like herself into the space,” the article notes.
With her passion for texture, wearable art, and community building, Ranti Ehinmola is challenging the norms of knitwear and inspiring a new generation of knitters to embrace their creativity and push the boundaries of what’s possible with yarn and needles.
