Musk Ox Producers' Co-Operative

I visited in February of ‘25 and I had a wonderful experience. The staff was so kind and helpful. I purchased a hat from them and it is so warm! I constantly get compliments on it and I tell people with glee that it supports Alaskans directly. This place is definitely worth a visit. Even though it’s expensive, you get what you pay for (greatness!). The photo is of the hat while I was at dinner in Anchorage.

Must see when in Anchorage. Delightful shop with charming shopkeepers. Qiviut is a yarn made from the shed hair of muskoxen. It is luxuriously soft and all the products are made by First Nations people

This is a small store that serves as an outlet for the sale of knitted mainly scarves and head scarves made from the Musk Ox underwool or quivit. This is basically the wool shed from the belly of musk ox. As it is a naturally collected product and the animals are not shorn to obtsin it, quivit is naturally quite expensive. This natural product is super soft and super warm. The wool is not colored or dyed. There are several patterns that are knit by different tribes in Alaska. If the visit and decide to but, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

I fell in love with musk ox when I saw them along side the Dalton highway. I read about this shop on the kiosk at the Hilton front desk Everything they have in their shop is gorgeous and is truly hey beautiful pieces of artwork hand knit with much talent and love. The staff there are very knowledgeable and friendly. Each piece is unique and worth every penny!

This place is great. Amazing to stop in and see. Great repairs and a must see in Anchorage. My smoke ring has lasted 15 years and still looks new.

Stopped by the Oomingmak Cooperative to learn a bit more about qiviut and was not disappointed! Would definitely stop by to meet the wonderful staff and learn about the process behind how qiviut clothing is made.

A cooperative of 250 people knitting with musk ox wool, one of the world's warmest natural materials. Natural colors. A great story of sustainable fabrication by industrious people.

A tiny freestanding store house in the middle of a business area. Paid parking on the street is on the other side of a nearly packed large pay for parking lot during normal business hours weekday. $1.75 in quarters will get you an hour. So, they have no parking right by their store. The store is tiny and has a few things out for example but not much other than hair or yarn samples in tiny tourist trap bags. If you want something they have them in bags filed away and you have to ask to see specific pieces. Best to look at examples online, educate yourself and then either buy through their online site or go with an idea in mind when you get there. They are very good at communicating about items bought through their site if they don't end up having the item you want. If they are busy, it could be difficult to get a good idea of what they have as there's not a lot of room or counterspace to stand at. Some items are backordered. But it's a great experience to go and actually feel the example pieces directly and then purchase as you see fit. They are worth the visit and consideration for a very beautiful, unique, and useful handcrafted item.

It was such a cool experience to come here and learn about the art of knitting these beautiful pieces and where they come from! Fun fact- each pattern has a meaning - please ask Melissa and she will tell you! She was so helpful and very knowledgeable!

If you happen to be in downtown Anchorage, this is a neat little stop. Very little to see and buy, but if you want to feel Musk Ox wool then stop by.

I fell in love with musk ox when I saw them along side the Dalton highway. I read about this shop on the kiosk at the Hilton front desk Everything they have in their shop is gorgeous and is truly hey beautiful pieces of artwork hand knit with much talent and love. The staff there are very knowledgeable and friendly. Each piece is unique and worth every penny!

My husband and I were on our honeymoon earlier this month and made sure to make a stop here while we were in Anchorage for the day. We have the utmost respect for the native Alaskan peoples and the wealth of knowledge and the rich art that their cultures offer, and both of us were curious to learn more about qiviut (pronounced KI-vee-ute, which means "down" or "underwool" in the Eskimo language). Some fun facts: - "Oomingmak" is the Eskimo word for the musk ox - means "the bearded one" - No musk oxen are harmed in the collection of their hair, which is naturally shed on a seasonal basis - 8x warmer by weight than sheep's wool, does not shrink from heat or itch when wearing like wool will - Does not hold up well under friction, which is why the Co-Op doesn't make socks, gloves, or mittens Their products are pricey, but that's because the cheap fashion industry has warped our sense of what quality products cost. With Qiviut material, the products are made to last, and the proceeds go to support Native peoples who knit the products by hand in Southwest and Western Alaska and live a subsistence lifestyle. After chatting with one of the employees, my husband and I decided to splurge - he got a hat and I got a "nachaq" (Eskimo for "hood" that can also be worn as a cowl). Both of us picked the "mekoryuk" (harpoon) design, but there were many to choose from. If you're interested, the qiviut yarn can be purchased in kits if you're the DIY type. For once, we're excited for it to get cold so that we have an excuse to break in our new qiviut products!

Oomingmak, The Qiviut Shop is in a cute little building by the transit center downtown and is covered with murals. I browsed their website last year while doing research for my trip to Anchorage. Qiviut is the soft underwool of the arctic musk ox. Oomingmak is a co-operative. They buy the qiviut and send it to native weavers. When the products are done, they sell them from this store and the website. I knew I wasn't interested in their products from the website. I prefer my winter hats to be on the sporty side and I don't wear scarves. I bought a lot of Under Armour for this trip. If you like traditional warm clothing or need a gift their products are beautifully made and well priced considering the rarity of qiviut and the workmanship. I popped in because the people at the visitor center talked about this place like it is a major attraction. I had a nice conversation with the man at the counter. He told me all about the process and the products while I viewed the photographs on the wall. A baby musk ox is really cute. Downtown Anchorage is so small, you are probably already around the corner. Stop in and take a look.

I bought a piece of clothing ( aka art work = truly beautiful with a story behind each piece) here years ago. Worth every single penny! Would definitely purchase again!

Don't miss this place if you're looking for REAL Alaskan made artwork. They have a wall hanging comparing different fibers used for fabric - from musk ox, to alpaca, to llama, to sheep, even to dog! It's awesome and worth stopping by just to check that out. (Follow them on Instagram and you can see photos of it, but it's more fun to get to feel!) And it's a beautiful business model with local native Alaskan artisans creating their pieces following traditional methods. No mass produced anything here. Great spot to pick up gifts to take back home with you!

Exactly one year ago, I bought my wife a hat (then exchanged for a smokering) at the Oomingmak cooperative. She claims it's her favorite gift ever. They knit objects out quiviut - the soft underbelly coat of musk ox. It's exceptionally soft - equal if not softer than cashmere and warmer. What makes this place special is it's ownership by 200+ native Alaskan women who produce everything by hand. While items are not cheap each is unique. The people running the shop are very friendly. Their exchange policy is great. We returned the hat after a month... without any concerns. They place a premium on customer happiness and it shows. If you are in Anchorage looking for something special this is just the ticket. I should mention - a year ago my wife rec'd my gift and said "A hat - thanks. It's OK." Clearly, the best things in life grow better over time.