There are 54 species worldwide of marine fishes called the Seahorse belonging to the genus Hippocampus, of which 14 species are known to live in Southeast Asian waters, and 10 species are known to inhabit Philippine waters.
In the Philippines, the destruction of habitats and the deterioration of coral reefs and seagrass beds are reducing viable habitats for the Seahorse. About 25% of the world’s Seahorse trade (mostly for traditional Chinese medicinal purposes, acquaria, and souvenirs)— dried or alive — comes from the Philippines.
Learn more about Seahorses and how to help conserve them from Project Seahorse Foundation and Marine Conservation Philippines.
Knitting Expedition was begun as a way to provide supplementary income for the women of Ifugao to maintain the rice terraces. Instead of leaving the region to find better paying jobs, the income from the sales of the products allows them to stay and tend to the rice terraces that are not only an awe-inspiring legacy of their town but also of the Philippines and which has provided sustenance for generations of their families. The brand Knitting Expedition also signifies the journey of founders, Candy and Aueeie, as knitters and the distance that the hand-knit products have to travel to make it to your homes.
*pattern by Rachel Borello Carroll
