New This Week: The “Moses” Sweater

Cuddle up with this cozy new arrival straight from Peru made from 100% Alpaca.

#HonestlySourced       #EthicalFashion

Gift Ideas: For The Kids

Kids are high spirited and love even more than ever to play outside during a time of year when most adults would rather be snuggled up inside.

We make keeping them warm easier with  stylish beanies made from super soft alpaca for that rambunctious bundle of joy.

My Style is… Effortless

Shop the Look

Hand Knit This Week: The Camilla Shrug

The “Tina“ Shrug was hand knit this week and is available in stores only!

Gala, One of the Knitters at Our Hands For Hope.

By: Cinthya Rubio, Marketing Director @ Our Hands For Hope

Gala, age 50 from Trujillo, Peru was affected with polio as a child. This has left her with a life long, leg disability. She is a single mother with a 17 year old daughter, Michella. Despite her disability, Gala has always had a smile on her face and a very positive attitude, which she has gracefully passed on to her daughter.

Meet Gala, she is one of the Our Hands For Hope knitters from Trujillo, Peru.

Over the years, Gala’s health problems have increased, one of her kneecaps has made it more difficult for her to move around. The only way for her to relieve some of the pain is to have knee surgery, but with a very limited income she has had to put this procedure off.

Today, with the help of Our Hands for Hope she is part of a network of women that have the sole objective of working together and helping each other. Violeta, our Peruvian coordinator, sent word about Gala’s need for surgery and asked if we would be willing to increase one of our orders by just five items… The women had come together offering to hand knit the extra pieces and donate their earnings to cover the cost of Gala’s surgery. Together, the women have created beautiful alpaca knits and have raised enough money to pay for her surgery!

Here is a video that Gala’s family sent to us:

Gala has received  the needed surgery and is recovering nicely. Gala’s story warms our heart, seeing how our knitting community came together to help her is priceless. But none of this would be possible without you. With your purchases, we are helping women help themselves.

Behind the Essence of NapaStyle

By: Alicia Fischer, Communications @ Our Hands For Hope

A few weeks ago the team was excited to get a special invitation from NapaStyle
to be featured in their September catalog.

NapaStyle is a store based out of Yountville dedicated to showcasing the essence of Napa Valley and the uniqueness of living in wine country. It is brought to life by the mind and culinary mastery of Chef Michael Chiarello whose cooking revolves around the simplicity of wine country living. NapaStyle features items from food to cooking accessories and decor that encompass what it means to live in Napa Valley, and we are thrilled to be included as one of those items!

With harvest happening around the valley, these knits and colors pair perfectly for the long, increasingly cooler nights that lay ahead as we celebrate the 2013 harvest season.

Here is a behind-the-scenes look at our NapaStyle shoot featuring model Courtney Erin Pierce wearing Our Hands For Hope knits.

Check out NapaStyle to see some of their amazing products, including a few
from Our Hands for Hope!

How to wear a Summer dress in the Fall

By: Cinthya Rubio, Marketing Director @ Our Hands For Hope

It’s that time of year again when the transition from hot summer days of drinking a mojito at the beach are quickly ending, and chilly evenings sitting around a fire pit sipping on an Oktoberfest beer are just around the corner. The thought of having to buy a whole new wardrobe for the change of season excites and daunts many, but knowing how to use a fun summer dress as a fall item will take your fashion sense to another level!

Nothing screams fall fashion more than boots and knits, well maybe flannel but we’ll leave that for another conversation. I love knee high riding boots but it seems like everyone is following that trend, but there are other options people! I always incline for that subtle rocker look without looking like I’m trying to resuscitate bands like “Guns N’ Roses”, so I paired up my dress with some awesome Dr. Martens boots. Now wearing a dress during the fall or winter is torture when your legs  and arms are exposed to the chill of the wind so look for some opaque tights to protect your oh so beautiful legs, and a sweater that won’t add unneeded bulk but that will complement the shape of the dress you are wearing. Now the fun part is accessorizing! I am a fan of hats and Our Hands For Hope has the cutest hand knit hat EVER! I added their Rosemary hat to this look to match up with the boots, sprinkling some statement jewelry pieces like this brass cuff, gold rush necklace from Noonday Collection, and some Griffin Sunglasses give my look just the right amount of pizzazz.

How to Wash Your Alpaca Knit

By: Alicia Fischer, Communications @ Our Hands For Hope

Alpaca can be a bit intimidating to take care of, especially if you’re new to the fabric. But not to worry! It’s very easy to take care of your knits so that they retain their shape, softness, and look new after every wash.

Follow these tips for fool-proof ways to hand wash, dry clean, and store your new alpaca knit.

Hand Washing

Start with a clean sink filled with luke-warm water, about 80-85 degrees. Add a mild soap to the water (NEVER use chlorine bleach or Woolite, as these have a whitening base. Fragrance-free baby shampoos are perfect).

Use the soap or shampoo to create bubbly suds.

Swish your alpaca knit in the soapy water, careful not to pull, snag, or agitate it.
Soak for two to three minutes.

Rinse in luke-warm water.
(Other water temperatures could cause the knit to shrink or sag).

Remove any excess water by placing your item on a towel and gently blotting and rolling.
Avoid tightly wringing or twisting.

Dry the item in a flat position and out of direct sunlight. Reshape to its original dimensions.

Dry Cleaning

If you’re nervous about washing your knit yourself, you can take it to get dry cleaned. However, be sure to use a dry cleaner that is experienced in cleaning alpaca. Always show them any spots or stains, and ask them to use a fresh solvent in low heat with a process that does not involve tumbling.

Storage & Preservation

In order to get the best use out of your alpaca knitwear and to give it a long life, make sure that your items are completely dry upon storing. To prevent moths from going after alpaca, store your pieces in a sealed cedar chest, freezer (in a zip-lock bag — also kills any smells!), a plastic bin, or other moth-protected environment. Using mothballs with your knits is not recommended.*

WWIN: Women’s Wear In Nevada

Today begins the WWIN (Women’s Wear In Nevada) Fashion Mart in Las Vegas.

Looking forward to those new store orders to come rolling in.

Stop by and visit us at the Rio Hotel, in the Miranda room, booth M809.

Tell Ron the Rep and staff “Hi” for us!