alpaca blue

The cool blues of this beautiful 100% alpaca shoulder bag evoke the Andean skies. The bag is crafted entirely by hand by the artisans of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco. They raise the alpacas and llamas to obtain the fleece; shear, dye and spin the wool; and weave the textile on a traditional waist loom. The unlined bag closes with a zipper and features an interior zipper pocket and jaunty tassels on the bottom.

Masterfully woven by hand, intricate diamonds motifs flow in bands across an expanse of blue. Artisans from the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco revive ancient techniques and designs for this handloomed cushion cover. Working on a backstrap loom, they utilize patterns that derive from Inca art and seek to keep the old textile traditions alive.

The community raises and cares for its own alpacas. The fleece is washed, carded and spun by hand using a pushka, or drop spindle. The dyes come from plants, nuts and tree bark. The next step is one of the most important, as the artisan prepares the warp, or vertical threads for the backstrap loom. This determines the size of the textile, the color combinations, and the patterns that will be woven.

The intensity of color can vary depending on the hardness of the water, the altitude and the local dye sources, making each cushion cover a unique piece of handcrafted art. The reverse side is solid espresso brown.

Inspired by the textiles of the ancient Inca, Peruvian artisan W. Rojas Yuri creates a bewitching pair of cushion covers. He hand-weaves a soft alpaca blend on a traditional loom, which allows him to create a vibrant striped pattern. The palette features midnight hues alternated with sunrise tones, and the accessories come equipped with a zipper closure.

Inca-inspired patterns add unique charm to this handcrafted 100% alpaca shoulder bag. The artisans of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco start from scratch to create it--raising the alpacas and llamas to obtain the fleece; shearing, dyeing and spinning the wool; and weaving the textile on a traditional waist loom. The fully-lined bag closes with a zipper and features an interior zipper pocket.