What We Heart

Manos del Uruguay Yarn

by Holly Otterbein

$13 per scane, Vagabond Boutique, 37 N. Third St., 267-671-0737, vagabondboutique.com, manosdeluruguay.co.uk

As the hosts of knitting circles and purveyors of burly, handmade sweaters, the ladies at Vagabond Boutique spin quite a bit of yarn. While they are careful to sell and use only all-natural batches, their most socially aware threads are by Manos del Uruguay. The nonprofit organization employs more than 800 female artisans in co-ops throughout Uruguay, thereby promoting economic and social independence for impoverished families. Using Merino and Corriedale wools, the yarn is hand-spun and then hand-dyed in kettles to create a marbleized, textured effect. The threads, which are marshmallow-soft, come in muted colors such as forest green, deep blue and creamy tan.