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fibre space

a yarn universe

Just Landed: Handspun Hope, fair trade yarn from Rwanda

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Handspun Hope yarn has landed in space! Through the missionary organization, True Vineyard Ministries, this yarn is harvested, spun, and dyed by women in northern Rwanda who are working under fair trade principles that ensure just wages and safe working conditions. Dyed in nature’s palette, Handspun Hope yarns are subtle, soft, and quite extraordinary. We are excited to offer two of their special yarns: Organic Merino Wool Worsted and Ethiopian Handspun Cotton.

About Handspun Hope

Handspun Hope is a ministry working with at-risk women in northern Rwanda. For 13 years, Handspun Hope has implemented a holistic, whole-person approach to breaking the poverty cycle for women and their families. What began in 2007 with employment of ten women has grown to become the number one employer of women in the Musanze district of Rwanda with 123 women fully employed. All of the women have suffered some level of trauma. Many are survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi, which occurred in 1994.  The women are employed at their cooperative in Musanze where they process wool from their own flock of Merino sheep. The ladies clean and hand card the wool, spin yarn and dye it organically using native Rwandan plants. Additionally, the coop imports Ethiopian cotton, which is then spun on drop spindles by a cooperative in Ethiopia. The ladies working for Handspun Hope then dye the yarn organically using Rwandan plants and ply into yarn.

Ethiopian Handspun Cotton

This lovely cotton yarn is laboriously handspun on a drop spindle in Ethiopia by women working for a small cooperative comprised of single mothers.  A single skein of yarn requires approximately 736 yards of handspun yarn.

The yarn is then imported into Rwanda where the ladies of Handspun Hope complete the process of dyeing it organically, using natural materials, in the single-ply. Once the yarn is dry, the spinners then ply the yarn with spinning wheels into a two-ply yarn.

Yarn Details:

  • Sport weight
  • 368 yards / 100 gm
  • 100% handspun cotton
  • Hand wash, dry flat in the shade

Pattern Picks:

Sakura by Knitting for Breakfast

This circular yoke tee has a delicate lace pattern inspired by cherry blossoms.

Sizes:

XS, S (M, L, XL) ( 2X, 3X, 4X) 5X, 6X

Bust Circumference(finished garments): 87, 95 (103, 112, 123) (131, 141, 152) 163, 174 cm; 34.2, 37.4 (40.5, 44, 48.4) (51.5, 55.5, 59.8) 64.1, 68.5 “

This sweater is designed to fit with 4 – 8 cm
1.6 – 3.2 ” of positive ease at the bust.

Materials:

  • 2, 2, (3, 3, 3)(4,4,4)4,5 skeins of Handspun Hope Ethiopian Cotton yarn, or 547, 634 ( 722, 853, 973 ) ( 1083, 1192, 1301 ) 1411, 1531 yards of sport-weight yarn
  • US 2.5 circular needles
  • US 4 circular needles
  • Stitch markers

 

Staple Linen Top by Joji Locatelli

The perfect breezy top for summer! This easy, breezy style will have wonderful softness and drape when worked in cotton.

Sizes:
XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X).
This is a close-fitting top, so an ease of zero or slightly-negative is recommended.

Bust circumference: 28 (32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 68)“; 70 (80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 170) cm.

Materials:

  • 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4) skeins of Hanspun Hope Ethiopian Handspun Cotton, or 425 (500, 550, 625, 675, 800, 925, 1050, 1175) yards of sport-weight yarn
  • US 4 circular needle at least 32″ long
  • US 2.5 circular needle at least 32″ long
  • stitch markers
  • stitch holders
  • tapestry needle

 

Rift by Jacqueline Cieslak

This lightweight, bottom-up knit includes instructions for two necklines, optional bust darts, short or long sleeves, and a custom fit bicep. The design features a slightly cropped body and a split high-low hem in twisted rib, giving it enough detailing to be interesting while maintaining a timeless simplicity.

Sizes:

Finished bust circumference: (40, 44, 48) [52, 56, 60] {64, 68, 72} inches / (102, 112, 122) [132, 142, 152] {163, 173, 183} cm

Materials:

  • (2, 2, 2) [3, 3, 3] {3, 3, 3} skeins of Handspun Hope Handspun Ethiopian Cotton, or 550, 600, 650) [700, 750, 800] {875, 950, 1025}of sport-weight yarn
  • US 8 (5 mm) 32” (sizes 34-46) or 40” (sizes 50-66) circular; DPNs for sleeves if not using magic loop
  • stitch markers
  • darning needle
  • extra needle in similar size or smaller than project needle for 3-needle bind-off

 

Fenix by Nomad Stitches

This brand new geometric crochet tank pattern is perfect for layering and features a bold geometric design. Available in Pom Pom Quarterly No. 37: Spring 2021.

Sizes:

1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Finished chest (fullest point) circumference: 72 (80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150)cm / 28¼ (32¼, 35½, 39½, 43¼, 47¼, 51¼, 55, 59)“ – to be worn with approx. 3-10cm / 1¼-4” negative ease

Materials:

  • 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) skeins of Handspun Hope Ethiopian Cotton yarn, or 560 (650, 715, 820, 920, 1020, 1070, 1200, 1250)yds of sport-weight yarn
  • 4.5mm / US 7 crochet hook
  • 3 locking stitch markers (preferably of three unique types)
  • tapestry needle.

 

Organic Merino Wool Worsted

The wool from their own flock of Merino sheep is triple-washed before the ladies of Handspun Hope begin creating yarn using the age-old craft of spinning with only wheels and hand tools. It is then dyed in baths created from mostly native Rwandan plants, producing a color palette like no other in the world. The project gives over 120 women, most of them widows and orphaned survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, dignified employment.

The sheep receive meticulous 24-hour care so they will continue producing quality fleeces for the ladies working for Handspun Hope.

Yarn Details:

  • Worsted Weight
  • 123 yards / 100 gm
  • 100% Organic Merino wool
  • Hand wash, lay flat to dry

Pattern Picks:

Felix Cardigan by Amy Cristoffers

This cropped top down raglan cardigan has an eyelet motif incorporated into the raglan increases.

Sizes:

39 (43 ½, 48, 52 ½, 57)” around chest at underarm

A range between 2 to 10” of ease is suggested for this garment.

Materials:

  • 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) skeins Handspun Hope Organic Mernio Worsted, or 700 (800, 900, 1000, 1100) yards Aran weight yarn
  • US 10/6mm: circular 16” and 24” or longer for body and a set of 4 or 5 DPN for sleeves.
  • US 8/5mm: circular 16” and 24” or longer, and a set of 4 or 5 DPN for sleeve cuffs.
  • US 5/3.75mm circular or straight for tubular cast on (optional)
  • 4 stitch markers
  • tapestry needle
  • 6 20mm buttons

 

Hipster Shawl by Joji Locatelli

This cool, quick and cozy shawl has tons of charming details that elevate a classic garter stitch shawl shape.

Finished Measurement:
Approx. 83 inches (208 cm) from side to side and 22 inches (55 cm) from top to bottom at deepest point (after blocking).

Materials:

  • 5 skeins of Handspun Hope Organic Cotton Worsted Yarn
  • US 8 circular needle
  • Tapestry needle
  • a split ring st marker
  • blocking pins or wires.

 

Maize by tincanknits

This versatile and easy free pattern has the option to knit as fingerless mitts or full mittens, and is sized from Toddler to Adult Large! These make great gifts, and the perfect way to celebrate the handmade nature of Handspun Hope Yarn.

Sizes:

Toddler (Child, Adult S, M, L)

Materials:

  • For mittens: 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) skeins Handspun Hope Organic Merino Worsted, or 70 (80, 120, 150, 200) yards worsted weight yarn
  • For fingerless mitts: 1, (1, 1, 1, 2) skeins Handspun Hope Organic Merino Worsted, or  50 (60, 80, 100, 140) yards worsted weight yarn
  • US 6 (4 mm) needles, DPNs or long circular for magic loop
  • stitch markers
  • darning needles
  • waste yarn

 

Tiramisu Baby Blanket

This crocheted baby blanket with sweet ribbon border is perfect to brighten up a nursery, and will become an heirloom piece.

Materials:

  • 9 skeins of Handspun Hope Organic Mernio Worsted
  • 5.5 mm (US I) crochet hook
  • ribbon for border