We believe that a strong, personal link between fiber producers, spinners, and buyers makes a better product and promotes a more conscious, not-just-for-profit business. We also believe in strengthening women's rights by providing them with earning opportunities and developing connections across cultures.

ethical business that empowers women

The Tajik and Afghan spinners were supported by a 4-year development project funded by IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) and managed by AKF (Aga Khan Foundation). The objective was to create earning opportunities for rural women in remote areas of Tajikistan and Afghanistan by helping them process local fibers into high quality yarns and linking them to the global marketplace. The project was successfully completed in spring 2017 and the spinners now collaborate with PortFiber on marketing their yarn. 

These handspun yarns are produced in a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable way by fairly paid artisans who are fully in charge of their business. They share the belief that strong personal ties between producers, buyers, and customers make a better product and promote an ethical, not-just-for-profit business that empowers women and links spinners and knitters from different places and cultures. 

The spinners live in some of the most isolated, traditional communities in the world. They want to learn about the people who work with their yarn. Perhaps you will also be curious about the woman who spun your yarn. Please check out her bio. The chances are she had to confront poverty as well as constraints of traditional, patriarchal culture. Her yarn will allow you to knit a unique, luxurious product.  And your purchase will give her more power within her own life.