The Gaddi Migration: A Winter Odyssey

The high-altitude passes of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges are falling silent. The vibrant alpine meadows—which just weeks ago were filled with the fragrance of wild herbs and the rhythmic chime of bronze bells—are being claimed by the first snows.

For the Gaddi shepherds of the Himalayas, this is the signal. It is time to begin one of the world’s most ancient endurance tests: the winter migration.

At Twisting Yarns, we don't just source wool; we follow its heartbeat. To truly feel our 2026 collection, you must first walk the 300-kilometer trek that gives this fiber its soul.

 The Ritual of Transhumance: A March Against Winter

For the Gaddi, life is defined by transhumance—the seasonal movement of livestock. As the "white gold" (winter snow) blankets the peaks of Lahaul and Spiti, the shepherds lead their flocks downward toward the sanctuary of the Kangra and Mandi foothills.

This is a survival strategy refined over centuries. It is a slow, rhythmic pilgrimage at the pace of the youngest lamb, traversing 14,000-foot passes where the oxygen is thin and the terrain is unforgiving.

"The wool of a Gaddi sheep is a diary of the mountain. It carries the cold of the glacier, the bite of the high-altitude sun, and the scent of the cedar forests."

The Shepherd’s Armor: Function in Tradition

Much like the sustainable textiles we champion, the Gaddi’s own attire is a masterclass in functional design. Their clothing isn't just tradition; it is high-performance gear crafted by hand.

• The Chola: A heavy, hand-spun woolen robe, voluminous enough to carry a newborn lamb inside the chest pocket.

• The Dora: A black wool rope, up to 60 meters long, wrapped tightly around the waist. It serves as a belt, a hauling rope for steep climbs, and a pillow during trail-side nights.

• The Khalcha: A rugged goatskin bag containing the essentials: cornmeal for Makki ki Roti, salt tea, and the hand-shears used for the autumn clip.

This is the original "Slow Fashion." These garments last decades, mended by hand and hardened by the elements.

From the Trail to the Loom: Crafting Resilience

The wool harvested after this migration is unlike any other. Because the sheep summer on medicinal Himalayan herbs and drink mineral-rich glacial water, the fiber is exceptionally resilient, crimped, and lustrous.

When this wool reaches our artisans, we treat it with the same reverence the shepherds show their flock:

Why Wear the 2026 Collection?

When you drape yourself in a Twisting Yarns piece, you aren't just wearing wool. You are wearing the resilience of the Pir Panjal, the warmth of a shepherd’s campfire, and a story that has been walking the Himalayas for a thousand years.