Manos del Uruguay: Crafting Identity and Empowerment Since 1968 Manos del Uruguay is a non-profit social organization that, since 1968, has provided sustainable livelihoods for female artisans in rural Uruguay. Our garments are meticulously designed and hand-knitted—primarily using premium wool yarns—for both the local market and renowned international fashion houses. We are a pillar of Uruguayan identity, serving as a vital thread in our national fabric where culture and tradition converge in every knitted piece. Since 2009, Manos del Uruguay has been a proud member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). This accreditation recognizes our mission to eradicate poverty through sustainable economic growth, empowering artisans to refine their craft while fostering personal and professional development. Our Cooperative Model The artisans are the true owners of Manos del Uruguay. Organized as a non-profit association, our primary objective is to generate work for rural women, enabling them to remain in their hometowns, earn a dignified living, and thrive as human being Our masters of craft utilize a wide range of traditional techniques, including: • Manual Knitting: Expertise in double-needle knitting, manual machines, and crochet. • Heritage Weaving: Specialized skills in looms, felting, and complex textures. • Signature Dyeing: Our artisans hand-dye yarns in vibrant, smooth, faded, or space-dyed colors. This creates an infinite palette of tones and shades that is unique, special, and recognized worldwide. • Hand-Spinning: We produce hand-spun craft yarns that are commercialized in the most demanding markets of the USA and Europe. A Collaborative and Personal Touch We also collaborate with independent artists and craftspeople who supply our outlets with diverse objects made from local raw materials such as wood, horn, leather, and pottery. Every garment manufactured under the Manos del Uruguay trademark features a personal signature from the artisan who created it, along with the name of their locality and cooperative. This guarantees that each piece is unique and embodies the full work and dedication of the woman behind it. When you choose a Manos product, you are wearing the love, dedication, and heritage of the artisan involved in its creation