Hand Knitting Loom

A microloan benefiting Indigenous Artisans in the Southern Andes, Peru

Indigenous Artisans

"We are a group of artisan weavers in the southern Andes of Peru that produces high quality clothing sold by Indigenous Designs"

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About this project

The weaving community in Arequipa is using this loan to purchase a hand-powered knitting machine. The new knitting machine will help one of our member artisan knitters generate additional income and become part of a larger production model, while enabling them to work from home to stay with their family.

It's transformational: In 18 months, the knitter can make enough money to support themselves and pay off the cost of the loom--that is the amount of income these looms can generate! Not only are knitting looms hand-powered, a great solution for a region with scarce electricity, they also help weavers produce thinner gauge knits of higher quality, thereby yielding even higher income.

Each knitting work group is composed of 4 to 20 people, although the group has the potential of employing as many as 60 people, depending on the number of hand knitting machines and timing of production.