In August, we had the pleasure of welcoming a well-known visitor to our Peruvian workshop: Susanne, the founder of Beanie.at. Beanie.at is an Austrian brand recognised for its high-quality, and socially responsible knitwear, made from luxurious baby alpaca. The brand and our knitting workshop have grown up together, as Beanie.at was one of our first clients.
Susanne's visit wasn’t just a routine visit; it was her fourth or fifth time visiting Peru, the workshop and our knitting ladies! As always it was nice reconnecting with the people and stories behind Beanie.at.
Off course we're always curious what a visitors' takeaway from this trip was. Susanne shared: “Even though I’ve visited several times before, my understanding of the project continues to grow richer and more detailed with each trip.”
During her tour, Susanne had the chance to connect with the knitting mums from Huamanga and Luricocha—two of our rural hubs that play an integral role in Beanie.at’s production process. For these women, many of whom are young mothers (around 19), knitting has become more than just a skill; it’s a lifeline, offering them a reliable income in a challenging job market. “At first glance, it may seem like just a knitting workshop,” Susanne reflected, “but when you look closer, it’s so much more.”
Just as in her previous visits, Susanne took the time to listen to the stories behind each knitted piece. Each beanie, scarf, or sweater tells a story of resilience and hope. “Every story touched me deeply,” Susanne said. “I share these stories with every customer who comes to me and buys a piece. They aren’t just buying a beanie; they’re part of a larger movement—one that celebrates the women who knit each item with love and care.” “How the products are made is not a secret,” she explained. “It’s a story that’s told and retold by many, and we celebrate the knitting mums!”
The work - family juggle
As Susanne returned home to Austria, unpacking boxes and delivering knitwear to her customers, she reflected on how similar her life is to the women she met in Peru—mothers juggling work, family, and everything in between. Running Beanie.at has enabled Susanne to effectively balance her career aspirations with her responsibilities as a mother, just as the women in Peru are doing through Solid’s projects.
Fair Fashion with a Heart
This visit wasn’t just a business trip for Susanne—it was a meaningful reconnection with the people and purpose behind her brand. “Thank you for organizing my trip,” she wrote. “It was short and exhausting, but it was really great for me to reconnect with what I do. Even though I know how everything is made, being there in person and feeling it makes a huge difference. You have to always see the individual pieces, the people involved, and all the helping hands behind it.”
“Fashion has the power to change lives,” Susanne said. Together with Beanie.at, we are committed to continuing this work, empowering women, strengthening communities, and promoting sustainable, ethical fashion.
Having Susanne visit and see firsthand the impact of our projects in Peru was a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come together. We deeply value our long-time collaboration with Beanie.at and we have also grown through her recurring orders. We’re excited to continue working hand in hand with Beanie.at, ensuring that each product not only meets the highest standards of quality but also tells the stories of the people who make them. We look forward to sharing more stories like Susanne’s, as we continue to work with partners who believe in the power of ethical, sustainable fashion.
Solid