Supporting Small Businesses & Manos del Uruguay Yarns

These are still unsettled times, and like many of you, we find comfort in working with knitting needles or a crochet hook and a skein of Manos del Uruguay yarn. We are encouraged by the creative approaches we've seen our local retailers take to engage with knitters and crocheters like you! Small businesses come in many shapes and sizes, and today we share a bit about the Manos cooperatives and the women who make the yarns you love.

Manos del Uruguay yarns are all hand-dyed.The artisans use big pots heated by wood kettles, dyeing in small batches creating wonderful colors. Eucalyptus is grown in Uruguay for fuel and for wood pulp; so no forests are harmed in the making of this yarn!

In the winter, production schedules have to allow for increased drying time, because there are no indoor drying facilities; all the yarns are line-dried outside.

Our colorways range from bright and wild, to subtle and subdued, but always full of nuances. No two skeins are the same, each one is unique. You’ll want to be sure to alternate skeins as you knit or crochet for an evenly colored fabric. 

Keeping the traditional hand spinning skills alive is very important for the artisans and it allows them to create unique, beautiful yarns. Both Serpentina and Wool Clasica are hand spun by Manos artisans. 

Every skein of yarn has a tag with the artisan signature and the name of the village where the cooperative is located. This is a reminder that behind each skein you use to knit, crochet, or weave, there is a woman, and a story. The yarns are beautiful, ethical, and sustainable. Your continued support of small businesses, at home and abroad, is most welcome.