Shokay, Wrap Yourself In Yak

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Dec 25th 2009 at 9:02AM

Shokay is a knitwear brand with a unique story. It uses the soft fibers combed from Tibetan yaks to create blankets, scarves, earmuffs and other accessories as well as yarn for sale. Shokay is a social enterprise based in China that sources directly from Tibetan herders, enabling them to earn a long-term sustainable living. The yak fibers are processed in the Hei Ma He Village of of Qinghai Province in Western China and Shokay also works with knitters in Chong Ming Island off Shanghai.

The founders include Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government graduates who were inspired to create the business after traveling in the western Chinese provinces of Yunnan and Gansu. True to the school, the brand now also sells a line of Harvard scarves and beanies through the Harvard Shop.

The hand-knit throw shown at right has border stitching around the edges and features a chain of the auspicious Tibetan Knot of Eternity along the vertical length. It sells for $950.

Tags: china, shokay, social enterprises, SocialEnterprises, tibet, yak fiber, YakFiber