Cosmos: Bright Lights Changing Lives

It’s Cosmos Season! The heavy rainy season has now passed and the long dry season is in full swing, bringing with it the seasonal Cosmos flower. Everyday, the women at Handspun Hope collect plant material on their walk to work which is used to create the 100% organic dye baths that naturally color our yarns with the vibrant, earthy colors of Rwanda. They are currently collecting Cosmos.

Handspun Hope’s “Bright Lights” collecting Cosmos flower petals that will be used in the dyeing process.

Sulphur cosmo (cosmo sulphureus) blooms in warm summer hues called “Bright Lights” and is sought after for its natural dyeing abilities. Its brilliant orange flowers are hand collected and used to dye our line of hands-spun yarns in Merino wool, Ethiopian cotton, and Borocera silk in the Cosmos color. An iron mordant is added to the Cosmos dye to create the luxurious Rich Cosmos in a dark chocolate color from the same flowers. 

Cosmos will provide much-needed nourishment to beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies during this season. How wonderful a reminder from God’s creation that provision will come in each season for all creatures both great and small! Cosmos is another provision bringing nourishment to families in Rwanda and “Bright Lights” of color into the lives of our Handspun Hope family around the world.

Each of the 209 women now joyfully employed at Handspun Hope have personal stories that represent “heavy rains” and “long dry seasons.” While these seasons are not easily forgotten and healing is a journey, this new season is budding with hope. Simply walking along the path to and from Handspun Hope empowers the hearts of the women with this beautiful reminder. Our stories are not yet finished. Our smiles are “Bright Lights” like the Cosmos flowers in full bloom.

The summer will soon be over. Like the seasons of our lives, the Cosmos won’t last forever. Come September, the Cosmos blooms will be gone. Conscious consumers can make a significant difference and spread “Bright Lights” through your purchase of naturally and ethically sourced products providing dignified employment through Handspun Hope. Shop our Cosmos line while it’s still in season and help us in changing lives!