The art of spinning, weaving, knitting and crochet of wool is centuries old in the Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India. Kullu Karishma is making continuous efforts to keep the traditional spectrum of weaves and knitting techniques alive while providing a sustainable future for the rural community.

1. Kullu Karishma

2. Dr. Kamal Kishore a former scientist at the Central Sheep and Wool Research
Institute, Avikanagar started Kullu Karishma with
a small Angora
rabbit farm in 1990.

3. The beautiful white rabbit produced soft white wool(angora wool)
led him to find ways to add value to the raw material.
The art of spinning, weaving, knitting and crochet of wool is centuries old in the Kullu
Valley, Himachal Pradesh. Dr. Kamal’s scientific background led him to research into
new rural technology available for spinning, tools for knitting, crochet and hand
looms.

4. Dr. Kamal Kishore ‘s dedication towards working with local artisans and craft groups
Kullu Karishma has provided regular income to over a hundred women
in and around the Shamshi in Kullu district.
Maintaining the traditional art of natural dyeing, Dr. Kamal Kishore is trying to use
plants and vegetation available locally.

5. Continuous efforts are being made to keep the traditional spectrum of weaves
and knitting techniques alive and towards a sustainable future for the
community.

6. Wool caps, scarves, gloves to fine stoles and shawls,
wool fabrics.

7. Hand spun, hand woven stoles
Cotton caps and bags

8. Yarn’s used
Angora wool, Tussar Silk, Sheep wool, Cotton, Linen

9. Vegetable dyeing of the fiber
Since 1993 vegetable dyes are used to dye most of the products.
The locally available raw material used vary from rinds of pomegranate, almonds,
onions, walnuts, rose petals , waste tea leaves or eucalyptus leaves, plum leaves and
catechu waste.

10. Different spinning
techniques
Fiber designing is done on the Bradford
and similar local spinning wheels, which
are operated by feet leaving the hands
free to design the pre-spun yarns into
different shapes.

11. Knitting & Crochet
Majority of the products are hand knitted and crocheted. The products made are
sweaters, caps, socks, gloves, leg warmers, stoles and mufflers.

12. Handloom Weaving
Handloom weaving is done on the four pedal loom. Weaving is done by the weavers
at home and mostly men are involved in the process.
At Kullu Karishma a number of weaves plain weave to twill weave are used to weave
fine shawls and yardage.

13. Weaving
A single weaver can weave from one meter to five meters in a day
depending on the weave, pattern and the kind of yarn being used.

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