Secrets of spinning, weaving, and knitting in the Peruvian Highlands

Nilda Callanaupa Alvarez

Book - 2017

Nilda Callanaupa Alvarez has gathered artisans of all ages to share their knowledge, lore, and deep skills, highlighting many of the techniques used by craftspeople in the Andes. They reveal clever highland secrets for everything from skeining yarn and knitting in reverse to weaving tubular borders and embellishing fabric with complex stitches. For many of these techniques, they provide concise step-by-step instructions accessible for North American crafters. Thoughtful, detailed descriptions of Andean cultural traditions frame each section, providing context and rare insight into what textile work means as a living heritage of the Quechua people.

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Subjects
Published
Loveland, Colorado : Thrums Books [2017]
Language
English
Corporate Author
Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco (Peru)
Main Author
Nilda Callanaupa Alvarez (author)
Corporate Author
Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco (Peru) (-)
Physical Description
iv, 137 pages : color illustrations, maps ; 23 cm
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (page 133) and index.
ISBN
9780998452357
  • Introduction
  • Spinning. Starting to spin ; Other techniques ; Skeining ; Plying
  • Weaving. Kh'ata plain weave ; Doble cara complementary warp ; Ley supplementary warp ; Watay resist dye ; Ticlla discontinuous warp ; Doubleweave ; Golon woven band
  • Knitting. Chullo hat ; Scallop cast-on techniques ; Motifs ; Borders and finishing details ; Q'urpu bobble
  • Finishing.;Awapa and Chichilla tubular borders ; Kumpay, Chukay, and Tikachay joins, seams, and embroidery ; Tassels, pom-poms, and Watana ; Waraqa sling braid.
Review by Booklist Review

Textile work, including knitting, weaving, and spinning, has been a tradition for centuries in the communities of the Peruvian Highlands. In these communities, creating textiles is not a hobby; it is essential to the way of life. Alvarez shares techniques used to create the distinctive, traditional hand-spun, handwoven, and hand-knit clothing and goods that are unique to the region. Photographs throughout feature the artisans of the Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco, (Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco), demonstrating their techniques for many steps in these fiber processes. This book is focused on technique rather than start-to-finish project instructions. Though the book is not intended to be a comprehensive collection of all knowledge, multiple styles for many tasks are included, such as spinning using a pushka (hand spindle), pukhu (supported spinning), and mishmi/miskuy (single stick spinning). The experienced knitter, weaver, or spinner will be able to see how they could incorporate these techniques into their own process, and anyone who appreciates fiber art will enjoy the full-color photographs of textile processes and products.--Heidemann, Anne Copyright 2017 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review

The traditional textiles of the Andean highlands near Cusco, Peru, are instantly recognizable for their intricate patterns and bright colors. Alvarez, one of the founders of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, explores the centuries-old traditions of Quechua fiber arts, with a focus on spinning, weaving, and knitting. Each section of this book describes techniques that are passed along through generations, followed by tutorials explaining the methods behind these traditional crafts. The weaving section, which features the extensive use of backstrap looms, is particularly fascinating. Numerous photographs show artisans at work, giving a sense of the both the community and the complexity of creating these textile arts. VERDICT Alvarez's study of traditional Andean textile arts is both a joy to look at and a fascinating document of a unique fiber arts tradition. © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.