Basket Weavers
Pacasmayo, Peru
Artisans in Group
150
Products Made
9
Years Working Together
4
Techniques Used
- Hybrid Crochet-Weaving
Pacasmayo is a small town on the northern coast of Peru, right where the edge of the desert meets the Pacific Ocean. There we work with several women-run cooperatives who specialize in a hybrid of European crochet and traditional backstrap loom weaving. This technique is only found in the Andes - in the north of Peru through Ecuador and Colombia.
Since this technique doesn't require a machine or backstrap loom, it's convenient for the women to work from home. Many have never worked formally outside the home and this works gives an opportunity for them to provide for their families. Traditionally, this technique is used to make small bags, coca leaf bags, and blankets.
