Our Production Process
The story of the Handspun Hope production process begins at the base of Mount Sabyinyo in Northern Rwanda, continues at our center in nearby Musanze, and ends around the world in the homes of our customers.
1. IT StartS WITH MERiNo SHeEP
Our herd of Merino sheep are cared for around the clock by our farm manager and team of shepherds. The wool of our sheep is allowed to grow until it is 3.5 inches long before shearing. This produces a loftier, softer fiber that is less abrasive than traditional Merino yarn.
4. Organically dyed
Everyday, the women collect plant material around their worksite or on their walk to work. The vegetation is used to create 100% organic dye baths. Avocado pits, onion skins and Eucalyptus bark are a small example of the vegetable matter used to create our dye baths. These natural dyes create our earthy, natural color palette, which truly represents the colors of Rwanda.
2. Washed by Hand
After shearing, the wool is transported to our facility where the women of Handspun Hope work. The wool is carefully washes, cleaned and—if used for yarn—combed into fluffy rolags, or rolls.
5. other FINISHED ProdUcts
Once the yarn or raw wool has been organically dyed, it is prepared for sale, to given to one of our finished product teams like the knitting and felting departments. Whether its a felted sculpture of handknit accessory each product is crafted with love and unique in execution and appearance.
3. Handspun into Yarn
To make yarn, the ladies working for Handspun Hope feed rolags into the spinning wheel, transforming into a single-ply yarn. Two single-ply yarns are then reverse-fed back through the wheel, creating a skein of stunning two-ply yarn .
6. FINISHED GOODS MARKETED TO BUYERS AND CUSTOMERS
Our yarn and finished goods are imported and sold in the U.S. via our online marketplace Hope Artisan Collective, and at various markets and events stateside.
It’s worth the wait.
From sheep to shawl, our knit products can take almost one year create. Your purchase is not only made with love: it also provides life-changing employment opportunities.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
We believe strongly in our responsibility to serve as good stewards of the earth. To that end, we are committed to the practice of environmental and social sustainability. We minimize our impact through:
the installation and use of a rain water collection system, significantly reducing water consumption during our wool washing processes
the exclusive use of 100% organic and primarily plant-based dyes
the rotational grazing of our flock of Merino sheep in order to increase forage production and reduce soil compaction and erosion
the use of farm-produced manure for composting purposes
the support of local farmers through the purchase of supplemental grass when needed