India Design Immersion with KOCO Knitting

Transform Your Creative Vision Into Hand-Knitted Reality

An Exclusive 7-Day Journey Behind the World’s Most Ethical Fashion Manufacturing

Chennai & Pondicherry, India | 15 – 22 Jan 2027 | Limited to 15 Participants

Join the waitlist for one of 15 exclusive spots.

Why Us?

This Isn't a Tour. It's a Creative Transformation.

For the first time since before COVID, we’re opening the doors to our artisan hubs in rural Tamil Nadu for a small group of designers, brands, and knitting enthusiasts who want to experience the human heart of hand-knitted fashion.

This is your opportunity to work directly with the artisans who create for over 200 global fashion brands.

Price: AUD $7,500 per person

Deposit Deadline: The Last Day Of February 2026

Deposit: AUD $2,200 (fully refundable if trip doesn't proceed)

Why Designers, Brands & Knitting Experts Are Already Securing Their Place

Our first expressions of interest have come from the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, and the Bahamas – a fascinating group of creative minds who understand that hand-knitting at this level can’t be experienced anywhere else in the world.

What makes this different:

Direct artisan collaboration

We work alongside our knitters, seeing, learning, and participating as each garment begins, grows, and takes shape in real time.

Expert-led design sessions

Every evening includes discussions on design, manufacturing, and marketing with industry experts and Danielle Chiel herself.

Your own collection development

Develop two handknit styles, (a cardigan and a vest) refined collaboratively and delivered once sample knitting is completed.

Behind the scenes access

See textile manufacturing facilities in Chennai that aren't open to the public. Visit villages where hand-knitting is transforming lives.

Intimate group size

Maximum 15 participants ensures personalised attention and meaningful connections.

Hear a testimonial from a past participant

Listen to a first-hand experience of our India Design Immersion Journey

Your Week in India: The Complete Itinerary

Friday Evening: Arrival in Chennai

Touch down in one of India’s most fascinating cities. We’ll collect you from the airport and settle you into your accommodation. First group dinner to meet your fellow participants.

Saturday & Sunday: Chennai Textile Immersion

Two full days exploring Chennai’s textile and manufacturing landscape:

Private tours of leading textile facilities (closed to public)
Traditional handloom weaving centres
Modern sustainable manufacturing facilities
Fabric markets and colour inspiration

Monday: Journey to Pondicherry + First Hub Visit

Scenic drive south to Pondicherry (formerly French colonial city, now vibrant design hub)
Check into your Pondicherry accommodation
Late afternoon: First visit to KOCO knitting hub
Evening session: Introduction to your pattern development project

Tuesday–Thursday: Full Days at the Hubs

Each day follows this structure:

Morning: Direct collaboration with KOCO artisans

Hands-on work with knitters
Understanding tension, pattern reading, and technique
Development of your cardigan and vest designs
Problem-solving with expert pattern writers

Afternoon: Cultural and creative exploration

Village walks and artisan home visits
Traditional cooking experiences with knitting families
Historic Pondicherry architecture tours
Beach time and creative downtime
Market visits for colour and texture inspiration

Evening: Expert-led design & business sessions

Pattern development refinement with professional pattern writers
Manufacturing strategy for hand-knit collections
Marketing and storytelling for sustainable fashion
Costing and pricing for artisan production
Q&A with Danielle Chiel on building ethical fashion businesses
Group critique and feedback sessions

Friday: Completion & Celebration

Morning: Final hub visit and farewells with artisans

Afternoon: Collection review and next steps planning

Evening: Celebration dinner

Optional: Evening flight departures, or extend your stay in Pondicherry

Saturday: Departure or Extension

Depart Chennai or extend your time exploring South India independently.

What the price covers

Accommodation (7 nights)

Carefully selected hotels in Chennai and Pondicherry
Based on single rooms (If rooms are shared the trip will be the same price)
Value: ~$2900

All Meals

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily (alcohol not included)
Welcome and farewell group dinners
Cooking experiences with artisan families
Value: ~$1000

All Transport

Airport collection and departure
Chennai city tours (private transport)
Chennai to Pondicherry transfer
Daily transport to knitting hubs
Village visits and cultural activities
Value: ~$600

Exclusive Access & Tours

Private textile facility tours (not open to public)
KOCO hub access and artisan collaboration time
Village visits and artisan home experiences
Pondicherry cultural activities
Expert-guided manufacturing tours
Value: Priceless (not available separately)

Expert Sessions & Development

Daily evening design and business sessions
Professional pattern writers on hand
Marketing and storytelling workshops
Costing and manufacturing strategy sessions
Danielle Chiel’s full-time guidance throughout
Value: ~$2,000

Your Complete Knitwear Development Package

This is where the exceptional value becomes clear:

2 professionally written patterns (cardigan + vest, all sizes)

- Industry rate: $800–$1,200 per pattern = $1,600–$2,400

Yarn for both garments (your choice from our range)

- Premium mohair/merino/specialty yarns = $200–$400

Complete production of cardigan and vest by KOCO artisans

- Hand-knitting labour, quality control, finishing = $600–$1,000

International freight to your home (anywhere in the world)

- Fully tracked, insured shipping = $100–$200

Total Standalone Value of Knitwear Package: $2,500–$4,000

Included in Your Trip at a Flat Rate: $1,000

You're Saving $1,500–$3,000 on this element alone.

The True Value: What You Can't Put a Price On

Relationships That Scale Your Business

After this week, you’ll have:

Direct relationships with KOCO artisans and management

A proven production partner for future collections

Understanding of feasibility and timelines for hand-knit production

Confidence to pitch hand-knit pieces to retailers and buyers

Value: Immeasurable (most designers spend months trying to establish reliable artisan partnerships)

Production Knowledge

You’ll leave understanding:

How to design specifically for hand-knitting (not machine-knitting)

How to write or commission patterns that artisans can execute

How to calculate costing and pricing for artisan production

How to communicate with offshore manufacturers effectively

Value: Years of trial and error avoided

Your Own Launch-Ready Collection

You’ll return home with:

Having designed two knitwear styles, a cardigan and a vest, developed in close collaboration with your assigned knitter during the week

Complete patterns for all sizes

High-quality product photography opportunities (you’ll photograph your garments being made)

The storytelling content to market these pieces

Video footage of artisans creating your designs

Value: Everything you need to launch immediately

Global Network

You’ll spend a week building relationships with:

Fellow designers and brands from multiple countries

KOCO’s management and pattern-writing team

Industry experts in sustainable fashion

Artisans whose skill is world-class

Value: The connections alone are worth the price

Price Summary

Element	Standalone Value	Your Price
Accommodation (7 nights)	~$1,500	Included
All Meals (7 days)	~$800	Included
All Transport	~$600	Included
Exclusive Access & Tours	Not available separately	Included
Expert Sessions	~$2,000	Included
Knitwear Development Package	$2,500–$4,000	Included
Total Standalone Value	$7,400–$8,900+	$7,500

Plus immeasurable value in relationships, knowledge, and launch-ready collection.

For $7,500, you're receiving at minimum $7,400 in tangible value, plus:

A week of Danielle Chiel's expert guidance
Production partnership opportunities
Global network connections
Launch-ready designs
Years of learning compressed into one transformative week

This isn't an expense. It's an investment in your creative business that pays for itself with your first collection.

Questions About the Immersion?

Get answers in real-time +61 405 224 810

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the group limited to 15 participants?

“The magic happens in small groups. Any larger and you lose the intimate access to artisans, the depth of expert sessions, and the ability for me to work directly with each person on their designs. This isn't a tour – it's a creative masterclass.”

– Danielle Chiel

Do I need hand-knitting experience?

You don’t need to be an expert hand-knitter, but you should have a genuine interest in the craft. Designers with no knitting experience are welcome — you’ll learn the fundamentals through observation and hands-on collaboration.

What if I’m a brand, not a designer?

Perfect. We’ve designed this trip for both designers creating collections and brands wanting to understand artisan production. You’ll develop the same knowledge and relationships, with business strategy sessions tailored to your needs.

Is the deposit really refundable?

Yes. Your $2,200 deposit is fully refundable only if the trip doesn’t proceed. Once the trip is confirmed, standard cancellation policies apply.

Can I extend my stay in India?

Absolutely. Many participants choose to extend their time exploring South India, visiting other textile regions, or enjoying Pondicherry’s beaches and French colonial architecture.

What about accommodation arrangements?

Accomodation is priced for single rooms only. Sharing is only available if you bring the share person too.

Will dietary requirements be accommodated?

Yes. Indian cuisine is incredibly diverse and accommodates vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other requirements easily.

What level of physical fitness is required?

Moderate fitness. Expect walking through villages, markets, and facilities for up to 30–45 minutes at a time.

Can I bring my own yarn?

Yes, though KOCO’s premium Australian merino, mohair/silk blends, and sustainable yarns are highly recommended for the full experience.

Will I own the patterns created?

Yes. You own the copyright and can produce the designs with KOCO or elsewhere.

What’s the weather like?

January–March is warm (25–32°C), dry, and ideal — before monsoon season.

How do I secure my place?

Submit an Expression of Interest. A $2,200 deposit is required by the end of February to secure your place.

This Trip Has Already Begun Building Its Community

Expressions of interest from:

United Kingdom – Sustainable fashion designer

Australia – Boutique knitwear brand

Belgium – Textile artist and educator

Bahamas – Luxury resort buyer

This is the calibre of creative minds you’ll spend the week with. Not tourists. Not hobbyists. Serious designers, brands, and industry professionals who understand the value of artisan craftsmanship at the highest level.

About Your Guide: Danielle Chiel

Danielle didn’t just build KOCO Knitting – she pioneered an entire methodology that brought hand-knitting into commercial fashion manufacturing. With a PhD in Musicology and a lifelong passion for hand-knitting, she’s created a business that:

Produces for 200+ global fashion brands (including Jil Sander, AGR, Wolfgang Scout)

Employs 80+ artisan women in rural Tamil Nadu (250+ at peak)

Uses zero electricity and zero machines in production

Has developed the exclusive Haute Tricot quality standard

Danielle will be with you every day of this journey, sharing her 15+ years of expertise in artisan manufacturing, sustainable fashion, and creative business development.

"I fell in love with hand-knitting at first stitch when I was ten years old. What you'll experience in India is the culmination of that love – transformed into a movement that changes lives on both sides of the world. This trip is my opportunity to share that magic with you."

Danielle Chiel, Founder, KOCO Knitting

Your Next Steps

01

Submit Your Expression of Interest (No Commitment Yet)

This helps us finalise numbers and structure the group appropriately. You’ll receive:

Detailed information pack

Sample itinerary and expert session topics

Booking terms and conditions

Accommodation options and single supplement pricing

02

Finalise Your Decision (By End of February 2026)

Once you receive all details, confirm your participation with:

$2,200 AUD deposit (fully refundable if trip doesn’t proceed)

Completed participant information form

Dietary requirements and special requests

03

Begin Your Design Development (February–December 2026)

We’ll provide:

Pre-trip pattern development resources

Yarn sample cards for selection

Design brief templates

Connection with fellow participants

04

Depart for India (Early 2027)

With your designs ready to develop, your creative business transformed, and a week of immersion awaiting.

Limited to 15 Participants.

Expression Deadline: End of February.

This trip exists because designers like you asked for it. Because you want to understand the artisan craft at its deepest level. Because you’re building something meaningful in fashion and need the production knowledge, partnerships, and creative community to make it happen.

Price: AUD $7,500 per person

Value: $7,400 + in tangible elements + immeasurable creative transformation

Deposit: AUD $2,200 (fully refundable if trip doesn't proceed)

Or contact Danielle directly:
Email: Danielle@kocoKnitting.com
WhatsApp: +61 405 224 810

"This isn't about tourism. It's about transformation. Yours. Theirs. The fashion industry's."

When you purchase a KOCO garment, you’re buying a story of empowerment. When you join this trip, you become part of that story. You’ll return home not just with knowledge and garments, but with the relationships, confidence, and production capabilities to build the ethical fashion business you’ve envisioned.

Hand-knitting the world together.
One stitch. One life. One designer at a time.

KOCO Knitting
UN SDG Aligned | Zero-Electricity Manufacturing
Rural Tamil Nadu, India | Founded by Danielle Chiel, Australia

Website: kocoknitting.com