Knitting the heritage

Lahauli knitted socks and gloves have a long history, dating back to the colonial era in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul area when Moravian missionaries first introduced them. These missionaries sought to convert local communities and propagate Christianity by establishing a presence in Lahaul. Despite modest success in conversion, the missionary ladies founded a knitting school in 1862, teaching Lahauli women how to make German-style gloves and socks. The initiative benefited local women by allowing them to create indigenous themes and market their crafts. Today, Lahauli socks and gloves are acclaimed for their sustainability, for being created from locally spun sheep wool as also for reflecting the region's history and culture, weaved by the skillful hands of Lahauli women.

From fleece to fashion

Lahauli socks and gloves are delicately fashioned from indigenous wool collected from local sheep and spun by Lahaul's shepherding community using traditional processes. These garments are knitted in portions using four double-pointed needles, with socks boasting up to eight colors and ornamented with designs such as Bumchang, Lari Zildan, Kuru, Thingma, and Kyog, all of which have local importance. The process involves knitting the cuff, leg, and heel separately before adding the intricate "dashi" patterns on the upper foot, which can have up to seven or eight motifs in exquisite colors. Finally, with the sole ready, the components are smoothly combined to form the entire sock or glove, demonstrating the expertise of Lahauli handicraft.