In Syunik residents herd sheep and practice agriculture. Those sheep provide the raw material for the Wool-to-Carpet Social Enterprise, which transforms wool into natural carpets, home products, and personal accessories. The products utilize not only the range of colors naturally produced in sheep’s wool, but also (and more importantly) the creativity and design skills of local women.
More than fifteen women from Syunik region work at four primary tasks: wool processing, threading, carpet-making, and souvenir sales. Their woolen thread is 100 percent natural raw material, which is ecologically clean, without chemical additives. The Wool-to-Carpet workshop sells its natural yarn in skeins as well, so you can take some home for your own projects.
Inside the workshop, you may participate in the full Wool-to-Carpet experience, choosing from two tour options: a workshop tour with lunch, including local food and beverages; or a workshop tour alone. First, see how wool is sheared and prepared for spinning into yarn. Next, learn from an expert how to spin wool into yarn—in both a traditional way with a bobbin and in a modern way on a spinning wheel operated by foot.
After processing the wool, you will learn how to weave carpets and other crafts. The women create a wide range of designs, from simple stripes to complex motifs. You can learn not only the techniques of carpet-weaving, but also the repertoire of cultural motifs used in carpet design. Before you leave, sit down to a locally made lunch in the studio’s garden.
Meet your host
Wool-to-Carpet is a social initiative by the Goris Women’s Development Resource Center Foundation to create sustainable income opportunities for economically disadvantaged women in Shinuhayr village. GWDRC’s products include toys, magnets, and key tags made from hand-crocheted animals, fruits, and vegetables. All purchases support local artisans in Goris and surrounding villages.
