handmade textiles

The colors of the firmament, when the sun finally bids day farewell, inspire the vibrant design of this alpaca hat. Fernando Cano creates vibrant patterns as he knits the hat in shades of plum, orange, green and brown. Alpaca has been prized in the Andean region for centuries thanks to its warm and lightweight fleece.

Made entirely by hand, this beautiful contemporary bag showcases the ancestral weaving traditions preserved by the women artisans of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco. The compact purse exemplifies the incredible time and dedication it takes to produce a handmade work of art. In the highlands they call home, before they can begin to weave the fabric for the bag, the women must first raise and shear the alpacas and llamas to obtain the wool, then dye and spin the fleece before it is ready to be woven into fabric on a traditional backstrap loom. From start to finish, the time taken to produce each bag spans the seasons. The fully-lined bag closes with a zipper and features an interior zipper pocket.

With traditional motifs that echo the shapes of the Andes mountains, this 100% alpaca shoulder bag is a standout. The artisans of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco craft it entirely from scratch--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.

Nothing better to keep you warm in wintertime than this elegant scarf handmade with a soft baby alpaca blend. Artisans Raquel and Gregor from Peru choose a combination of steel blue, mahogany and light olive for this striped accessory that is woven on artisanal pedal looms.

Designed by Milagros Campos, this black alpaca clutch features a colorful bouquet, lavishly embroidered by hand. The black rectangular purse is crafted of handwoven fabric, created in a traditional treadle loom. Fully lined, it is trimmed with a tassel and pompom on the zipper pull.

A soft and exotic piece of clothing, this pullover sweater is presented by Alfredo Falcon of Peru. An attractive boat neck and loose, flowing sleeves add fashionable details to the design. Knit from a soft blend of acrylic and baby alpaca, the sweater is adorned with a festive striped pattern in shades of purple, pink, green, and blue.

Against a background of solid smoke, colorful floral motifs are hand-embroidered onto the front of this 100% alpaca clutch from Peru. Milagros Campos designs this clutch, which features a zipper closure that is accented with a handmade alpaca tassel. It opens with a zipper to reveal a lined interior in black.