This vibrant yarn is guaranteed to make a one-of-a-kind item! Hand-spun by a women's cooperative in Nepal from the silk wastage collected during sari manufacturing in Southern India, your purchase helps provide an income to otherwise disadvantaged women while simultaneously using otherwise-discarded fabric waste.

The silk is hand-spun into yarn using either a drop spindle, charka, or spinning wheel, and is then reused in local garment manufacturing or exported. Due to the nature of hand-spinning, the variations in the fabrics used, and the different skill levels of the individual spinners, no two skeins are the same. Areas of "overtwist" and variations in yarn thickness and texture add to the unique beauty of this hand-created yarn. Each skein has an incredible variation in colors -- you'll find bright and deep shades, possibly some metallic or patterned parts, etc. This isn't a soft cozy yarn, but it is oh-so-much fun!

The silk used in these yarns comes from industrially dyed saris and generally does not run. However, it is always wise to wash individually at least the first wash. Do so in cool water, gentle cycle, inside a pillowcase or lingerie bag to ensure that your finished item does not stretch out of shape. Hand-washed items should be "wrung dry" using a towel -- that is, place it in a towel, roll the towel, and squeeze. Lay flat to dry.

The 3.5 ounces of yarn is approximately 49 feet long; using 10 mm needles you'll get approximately 2.5 stitches per inch. You'll want to unwind the skein first and loosely roll into a ball. If your yarn has any breakages, overlap and twist back together or fray the ends and then overlap them.

One suggested project with these yarns makes bright, small handbags from just one skein. Cast on the desired length, and then knit until you almost run out of yarn. Sew up tri-fold style, and then braid a handle. Fasten with a loop and decorative button or toggle. It's also great for looser-style beanies, decorative tassels, and scarves. Use as a colorful stripe feature in many different hand-knit items, or use in place of ribbon when wrapping gifts. So many ways to use this beautiful yarn, and you'll so enjoy both the process and the result!