Threads of Peru Blog

Last week I was fortunate enough to be able to tag along on a trek with Apus Peru. The trip was a 5-day, 4-night adventure from Vilcabamba valley to Aguas Calientes, with the final day spent at Machu Picchu. 

 The glacier that towered above our campsite on the second night of the trek

The diversity of the natural surroundings we encountered inspired me especially in their connection to traditional textile weavings. From the high glacial peaks to the lush, steamy jungle, the backdrop of my trek was colorful and abundant with life. I saw some of the many native animals that are depicted in the icons on pasadizos and scarves, especially alpacas and llamas. As I walked through wide river valleys, I thought about how my surroundings have been the inspiration for Quechua textile weavings for thousands of years. As I crested the summits of Andean peaks, I saw the natural colors used to dye the alpaca fiber. 

 The dragonflower

Our guide, Urbano, helped me identify some of the unique plants and flowers that grow throughout the Vilcabamba valley and up on the mountain passes. A bright green plant that we found at the highest point of the trek is called “dragonflower,” and blossoms with yellow flowers during the rainy season. In the low, warm jungle we found different species of orchids, including a lovely violet one called “paradise orchid.” 

Purple lupine

It was a wonderful and unique experience to spend time in the remote Andes among the natural elements that have been the subject matter for Quechua artisans for thousands of years. After this trek, I feel like I better understand the origins of the beautiful textiles that I work with in the Threads of Peru office. 

 Colorful jungle flowers

Written by Megan Malley

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The color palettes featured in this holiday season’s product selection have been carefully selected in accordance with current fashion and color trends, combined with the ancient Quechua weaving tradition. Our newest products come in a variety of hues that range from muted and natural to vibrant and energetic. Since the dyes used to color the threads are 100% natural, your product will have the same colors that can be seen in the flora and fauna of the spectacular Andean hills.

The combinations used in each piece have been inspired by elements of nature found in the Sacred Valley. For example, the multi-toned blues of the Urubamba river next to the icy white of the frozen alpine ponds. Or the mustard yellow of the dragonflower blossom, sharply contrasted against the burnt ochre of fields of windswept grasses.

 

The natural fiber products are especially reminiscent of the Andean landscape because the colors are unaltered from the original alpaca wool. You will be awed by the beauty of the alpacas, and by the varied tones of brown, black, grey and white that compliment each other so perfectly.

Some of the most beautiful views of the Andes are made more so by the stark contrast found in nature. In the midst of the dry season, when most of the hills are covered in yellow brush and the lanscape seems to shift from one shade of beige to another, a single vibrant purple lupin will emerge from the grass in protest. And in the lush rainy season, when the rolling green jungle bursts with life, a still and silent lake will reflect the spotless bright blue of the sky. These natural and beautiful contrasts are what have inspired our textiles this season.  

Written by Megan Malley

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Dana and I took a trip last friday to Chaullacocha to do a pedido, or an order, with the women of the community. The day started out early; we rented a 4x4 and left the office just before 6:00am, weaving through the Sacred Valley as the sun rose and the clouds burned off. We drove through Urubamba, then Ollantaytambo, then Patacancha and Rumira Sondormayo (all familiar towns), but then we kept going from there about 2 hours up the pass, to a community called Chaullacocha. The bumpy, battered road curved through the mountains, and suddenly we came out onto a flat high plain with a view of three stunning peaks right in front of us. The small valley on top of the snowy pass is home to Chaullacocha, and the weaving cooperative of 30 women that we work with.

When all of the women were gathered with their supplies, Daniel, the master weaver, started translating as Dana explained the products we wanted to order. We divided up the items so that each woman had work, and started picking out colors from the balls of thread they each brought from their own alpacas. They quickly set up their corner posts and began to warp the thread for the products. Daniel was so helpful; we could never have done the pedido without him translating, guiding, and teaching the women how to create the textiles we wanted them to make. By the time we left at 4:30, each woman had her product set up and was ready to begin.

 

 In this pedido we ordered some of the same products that we have been selling lately, like the men’s and women’s ponchos, but we also decided to try some new patterns. I spent much of last week sorting through color palettes and researching fashion trends to determine what color combinations are most likely to sell. At Chaullacocha we tried out some of these new palettes, so we are very excited to see how the final products turn out.

Written by Megan Malley

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