This beautiful natural yarn is handspun by the members of Ayany Womens’ Group, in Kibera. Sheared from sheep they raise, each ball includes a slip of paper with the name of the spinner. The wool is boiled during processing, giving it a rustic, somewhat felted appearance (for this reason, the yarn is not suitable for further felting).

It will take dyes well. Although not buttery soft like some merino wools, this yarn has a lot of character in all its variation.

Each year, Ayany Womens’ Group receives orders of 50 kilograms. This gives each worker an income after operating costs that can send a Kenyan child to elementary school for half a year. All proceeds go to Ayany Women’s Group.

Each ball is 50 grams of 2-ply, 100% merino wool
Approximately 60-80 yards
Gauge: 13-15 sts, 19-20 rows / 4” (US 8)

Ayany Women’s Group was started in 1986 with a primary objective of providing education for children who lost parents to AIDS. The group also provides vocational training in the area of fiber arts (spinning and dyeing yarn, tailoring and sewing). Among the groups achievements are:

• Building five semi-permanent rental houses in Kibera;
• Purchasing equipment (including spinning wheels) to further increase their ability to generate income;
• Training local girls in fiber arts techniques;
• Providing self-employment for group members.

In late 2007 and into 2008, political rioting engulfed Kenya, displacing many members of the Ayany Women’s Group, who were not able to return to their homes for a period of time, which disrupted their work.

All proceeds raised from shop sales will go directly to the Ayany Women’s Group.

www.etsy.com/people/ayanyhandspinnersaid