Himalayan Naari · Lofty Peaks Yarn
A shared community of artisans, makers, educators and advocates bringing Himalayan craft, natural materials and thoughtful design together.
People · craft · purpose
For generations, women in the Himalayas have made warm wool clothing and household textiles by hand. Many of the artisans who work today learned knitting and weaving from their mothers and grandmothers. Their knowledge now meets contemporary design, creating work that respects tradition while opening new possibilities.
Himalayan Naari works with local materials, natural regional colours and Indian-made yarns, including yarn made from lamb's hair. Blankets, shawls, scarves, hats and clothing are made with care, and the quality and beauty of this work continue to create opportunities for more local artisans.
The craft in their hands
These women carry deep knowledge of Himalayan wool, knitting and handmade production while continually learning new techniques.
Master Knitter
Rekha is a Master Knitter who creates new product samples and trains other Naari artisans. A native of Chakouri, she was raised there and continues to build her family's future there, including supporting her two children as they attend Himalayan InterCollege.
Artisan · Himalayan Wool
Basanti comes from the Darma valley, near the India, Tibet and Nepal border. The valley is known for its high-altitude pastures, where shepherds take their flocks each summer. The wool from this region is highly valued locally for its quality and is traditionally used for clothing.
Founding Member
Deepa is a founding member and mother of energetic twin boys. She rents a room in Chakouri so her sons can attend school and has an eighth-grade education herself. Through cooperative work, she has learned new knitting stitches and computer skills while building the confidence and economic independence to create a better future for her family.
Master Knitter
Deepa is a Master Knitter and mother of two. She rents a room in Chakouri so her children can receive an education. She speaks about the strength that comes from cooperation and inspiration, and her work includes intricate shawls and beautifully made couch throws.
Craft to connection
Geeta's work connects the artisans' finished pieces with the careful systems that help them reach customers around the world.
Co-leader · Shipping Team
Geeta co-leads the shipping team, helping make the final dispatch of Naari items to the United States smooth and accurate. She prepares invoices and inventory forms that are vital for artisan payments and tracking, checks quality and prepares each shipment.
A skilled seamstress and knitter with a Master's degree in Home Science, Geeta brings both practical craft knowledge and careful attention to the many details that connect the artisans' work with customers around the world.
A living craft community
As the work grows, more local women continue to join Himalayan Naari — carrying traditional skills forward while creating new opportunities for themselves and their families.
Craft, colour & confidence
Alongside knitting and stitching, natural dyeing has become another space for skill, creativity, community and independence.
Team Lead · Natural Dyeing Unit
Vineeta came to Choukori hoping for a better future for her son. Through the natural dyeing unit, she found confidence, community and a renewed sense of purpose. Lofty Peaks Yarn is dyed in beautiful colours through a process that takes patience and care—sometimes three to four days for a single ball of wool. As her craft has grown, so has her confidence as a woman, and she now dreams bigger for herself and her family.
Artisan · Natural Dyeing
Neha is a mother of two who moved to Choukori to educate her children. After hearing about the natural dyeing work from local women, she joined the close-knit community. The work allows her to support her family, build confidence and independence, and find a sense of purpose while continuing to dream about what is possible for her future.
Artisan · Natural Dyeing
After the loss of her husband, Ambika moved to Choukori with hope for a better life for her two daughters. Himalayan Naari gave her a fresh start and a supportive community. As a single parent, she contributes to her family through her work and has grown in confidence through her skills as a natural dyer.
Artisan · Natural Dyeing & Stitching
Deepika moved to Choukori to educate her children. Working in dyeing and stitching has given her confidence, independence and a strong sense of community. She has become a go-to expert when questions arise around natural dyeing, often finding creative solutions through her experience. Her work contributes to her household with pride and helps inspire other women around her.
People who help the work travel further
The people behind the work extend far beyond a single role. They help artisans develop skills, connect craft with new markets, strengthen production and build long-term relationships around handmade work.
Social Entrepreneur · Artisan Advocate · Board Member
Manvee Vaid is a social entrepreneur, artisan advocate and board member of the Himalayan Education Foundation. She is the founder of TerraKlay and has spent more than a decade creating sustainable market access for rural artisans while helping preserve traditional craft. Her leadership with Lofty Peaks Yarn brings naturally dyed, hand-crafted wool to global markets.
A visual thinker and hands-on collaborator, Manvee works directly with artisan groups, connecting design, production and opportunity while keeping the people and craft at the centre of the work.
Art Educator · Designer · Mentor
Mansee Parekh is an art educator and designer based in Bangalore with more than 15 years of teaching experience across textiles, design and ceramics. Fluent in five Indian languages, she brings an unusual ability to connect people and ideas across different communities.
She connects artisan communities with businesses and social enterprises through clear communication, seamless production and collaboration. As a bridge between artisans and international design teams, Mansee is deeply involved with Lofty Peaks Yarn and Himalayan Naari through training, mentorship and capacity-building, helping support sustainable livelihoods while keeping craft knowledge alive.
From the Himalayas to the world
From the women making each piece by hand to the people who teach, dye, stitch, check, design, mentor and connect the work to the world, every role is part of the same story.
