An honest yarn

Working from home as so many of us do these days, I have been on a mission for a while to find a comfortable, chunky and colourful pair of house socks to keep my feet warm on cold floors. 

So when I landed upon the perfect pair of chunky, fair isle, 100% sheep wool socks just before Christmas 2021, I decided that these wonderful socks and the story behind them were too good not to share with my friends and family. 

Cosy Buddha socks, headbands and wrist warmers are hand knitted in Kathmandu by women working for a fair trade organisation that marries together traditional Nepalese, Newar and Tibetan crafts with modern business practice.

This organisation pays its artisans a fair wage, and allows women to work from home and knit part-time, in the evenings, when housework and childcare is done for the day. This is work that keeps women out of factories, and protected from exploitation - work that keeps traditions alive and families together whilst enabling rural communities to thrive and protect their cultural heritage. 

On top of fair pay, safe working conditions and opportunities to up-skill and train as group leaders, these talented craftswomen also receive a profit share from knitwear sales, to help them send their children to school. 

I hope you find something you love - 

Alice