On one of the last days of our family trip to Peru this summer, my daughters and I participated in an amazing textile weaving and dyeing workshop run by Andean Colors - it was such a fun and inspiring experience!

Andean Colors is a wonderful women’s cooperative that empowers and provides work opportunities for women, including single mothers who have suffered from domestic violence. They produce beautiful alpaca and sheep wool textiles, helping these women thrive and support their families.

The workshop was led by the talented Miguel, and he and his helper were both amazing and knowledgeable.

The adventure began when our taxi picked us up from the hotel in Cusco, and we drove about an hour to a quaint little farm in Chinchero surrounded by breathtaking Andean mountains. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the owner Hilda’s husband Marcos. After the introductions, me and my daughters were thrilled to feed the llamas and alpacas, and see some adorable guinea pigs!

Our textile journey started with a lesson on how to tie a Manta, or shawl, a square woven cloth used to cover the back and shoulders. It can be used for carrying children or goods—a truly practical and beautiful piece.

We were in great company with two other fun tourists visiting from Australia, and we each got a llama or alpaca companion to walk with us through a scenic dirt trail to grab some leaves for dyeing. The views were absolutely spectacular! As we ventured out of the farm, we stopped at some bushes and were introduced to Chilka leaves. Our task was to pick enough leaves to create our first dye bath back at the farm.

Once back at the farm, we soaked the Chilka leaves in hot water to create a vibrant dye. While the Chilka leaves were doing their magic, we learned how to make dye from moss. We used previously soaked moss and pounded it with a rock, similar to using a mortar and pestle, to extract the color. It was a bit challenging, but the artisans made it look so easy! The moss yielded a beautiful greenish-brown color, which we also added to a dye bath. By adding natural mordants and alum, we were able to darken the color and ensure it would stick to the yarn more effectively.

While the yarn soaked in the dye baths, we were introduced to the art of spinning yarn. We were given sheep wool from the farm’s own sheep (it was incredible to see how everything was sourced directly from their backyard!) and started by cleaning the wool, picking out any dirt, and washing it thoroughly. Then came the challenging part: spinning the wool into yarn. We each received a spindle and learned how to stretch the wool thin without ripping it. We attached it to the spindle with a knot and spun it around to create yarn. It took us a few attempts to get the hang of it, and it truly gave us a newfound respect for those who do this on a daily basis!

Our final dye bath was perhaps the most fascinating. We used cochineal, tiny bugs that live on cactus leaves, to create a vibrant red dye. I crushed them with my hand, and the bright red pigment/blood oozed out. We then used a powdered form of dried cochineal, mixed it with hot water, and adjusted the hue with mordants to achieve the desired pink color. The yarn was then submerged into this dye bath, ready to absorb the rich hues.

The final step of our journey was learning to weave. As fun as it was, weaving proved to be quite challenging! The artisans demonstrated the precision and skill required to weave intricate patterns. Our appreciation for their craftsmanship grew tenfold after attempting it ourselves!

Our amazing tour ended with a visit to their store right at the farm that carried a beautiful selection of authentic alpaca clothing, accessories, blankets and home goods handmade by women from the cooperative. The quality of the products was distinctly better than those at the touristy shops we had previously visited. We picked up some gifts to bring back for friends and family!

We were exhausted by the time we got back to the hotel, but it was so worth it!  My 13 and 11-year-olds had a great time as well, and learned so much. This experience was more than just a workshop; it was a deep dive into the rich cultural heritage of Peru. If you ever find yourself in Peru, I highly recommend taking part in a textile dyeing and weaving workshop. It's a truly unforgettable experience that connects you with the ancient traditions of this beautiful country, and supports a great cause.

Have any of you had a similar experience or learned a traditional craft during your travels? I'd love to hear about it!