Samoolam started as a grassroots, social movement in 2009 that was both inclusive and sustainable with the intention of generating livelihood for a few economically-deprived rural women in Gaya (Bihar, India) — home to the legendary Gautama Buddha. Over the years, the organisations planning, training, co-ordination, collation, manufacturing and retail in turn has resulted in each woman in their network becoming self-reliant enough to earn and support her family financially.

The idea was to create everyday accessories using the one-needle yarn knitting art of crochet (derived from French ‘croc’ or ‘croche’, which means ‘small hook’). The design philosophy has been clear and minimal — to create products that are useable and cost-effective. The designs are inspired by Nature and everyday items to narrate the design stories. Their team of rural women handcrafts multi-colour crochet yarns into interesting shapes. They use these elements (birds, animals, flowers, whorls, fruits, emojis, cords, tassels, laces and more) singularly or bunch them up to make utility products for women, kids, home, travel, and stationery.

Image and text source-Samoolam