October 03, 2020
Indigenous Organic Cotton : Hand Spun Yarn - From Kutch
Our Handspun Indigenous Organic Cotton Yarn is a collaboration between farmers and hand spinners strengthening the rights of rurally located women by providing earning opportunities and developing connections with resonant knitters across the globe. This new line of hand spun yarn represents an emergent solidarity economy that centers indigenous culture, our relationship with each other and the environment.
Kala cotton is one of the staples of our fiber portfolio and it is the main ingredient in the yarn collection - it is indigenous to the region Kutch located on the West Coast of India.The farmers do not use any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Kala cotton is a non GMO organic seed - one of the oldest recorded strains of cotton - it is purely a rain fed crop and does not require irrigation beyond natural rainfall.
The cotton farmers we engage with have owned and worked their land for many generations. We are proud to be connected to this socially and ecologically regenerative farming practice.
After spinning the yarn is resist dyed in natural indigo - the fermentation process is a collaboration with microbial communities, dyers and a commitment to care. Green leaves are transformed into blue color when the correct conditions are created for the micro organisms to thrive. The process of indigo dyeing is an alchemy of ingredients & an act of culture. Indigo eats, breathes, bleeds and fades. Indigo is alive.
Wearing handspun clothing is an environmentally friendly choice with positive social impact embedded into fabric. If you are looking for ways to divest from the harmful effects of industrial manufacturing - responsible food & clothing choices are everyday opportunities for us to participate in creating a more equitable world.
Images Courtesy of : Lucas Speigel, Sam Fleischner & Agyesh Madan