Our Story
Hello, from Sarah
My name is Sarah.
I live in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island and I love to travel.
I love the people and the cultures of the world.
One of my favourite places is Nepal where I spent many weeks trekking, exploring and discovering the amazing people of this incredible country.
When I stumbled upon Kedar and his band of knitters, I was stirred to share their work with Canadians who I knew would enjoy the mix of fleece and wool for our climate.
I sat with the team and we designed some creations together. Before I knew it, I was placing an order for hundreds of sweaters, excited to get them into Canada.
And now, they are here!
It is an honour to share these treasures with you.
The knitters of Nepal are delighted to have built these for us.
Now I know you will be delighted to be embraced by them.
When you buy from me at Karu, you are dealing with me directly.
Customer Service is a straight line to me and you can be assured that your satisfaction is my priority.
Thank you for trusting me to deliver.
Both the knitters of Nepal and I will not let you down.
KARU means maker, or artisan.
Kathmandu, Nepal: with Kedar Rimal and Ajit Khatiwada
I wanted to know more than what could fit on an invoice.
I stood beside the machinery, watched yarn being prepared and garments being finished by hand, and took these photographs myself.
Seeing the process in person changed the way I understood the clothes. A warm garment is also a sequence of decisions and skilled hands: yarn prepared, pieces shaped, seams joined, details checked, and the finished woollen held up for one more look.
The makers
KARU woollens are made by Kalanki Knitwear, a knitwear business in the Kalanki neighbourhood of Kathmandu, led by Managing Director Kedar Rimal. The pullovers are knitted by hand, and accessories appear from time to time. The jackets are knitted on manual knitting machines and finished by hand, using New Zealand wool.
Preparing the yarn
Knitting
Finishing by hand
The team at Kalanki Knitwear includes Parbati Khadki, Reema Maharjan, Urmila Tamang, Kusal Bantawa Rai, Rishi Rai and Asta Kumar Nepali.
As Kedar puts it:
“We believe international business should be built on relationships, not simply transactions.”
Kedar Rimal, Managing Director
How the team describes its work
These are the team's own commitments, and I am glad to share them:
- No child labour at any stage of production.
- Fair wages and a safe place to work for everyone on the team.
- No chemical AZO dyes.
- Work created for women, single parents and families in local communities.
Every KARU piece carries the work of the people who made it.