The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word KNITTING
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
K
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T
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Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Coming together/handicraft" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case coming together/handicraft = knitting.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does KNITTING mean?
KNITTING verb- To turn thread or yarn into a piece of fabric by forming loops that are pulled through each other. This can be done by hand with needles or by machine.
- To join closely and firmly together.
- To become closely and firmly joined; become compacted.
- To grow together.
- To combine from various elements.
- Of bones: to heal following a fracture.
- To form into a knot, or into knots; to tie together, as cord; to fasten by tying.
- To draw together; to contract into wrinkles.
- The action of the verb to knit; the process of producing knitted material.
- Material that has been, or is being knitted.
- Overhead electrification wires, OHLE