More knitting … but that is what I so thoroughly enjoy doing so why not? Actually when we arrived back in Arequipa from the Colca Canyon, it was just like returning home after a holiday. Very weird really when we were only gone for three days from a place we had made home in a short week stay. But home it is and even more so because we had the same rooms for this second stay.
Our project this time can be a coin purse or a chullo (ear flap hat). Those of us that did the coin purse last class choose the chullo to do this time. Thinking we had the technique mostly figured out we cheerfully started only to find out that if you have different teachers, you likely have different techniques. So be it, we are here to learn after all! This time we don’t have the work inside out and we don’t use thumbs either. And I kept casting on too tightly so by the fifth try I resorted to casting on over two needles – that worked! Most of us tried very hard to work our two colours as shown, but sometimes old dogs don’t learn new tricks but simply revert to what they do know. I think understanding there are many ways to accomplish the same thing was a lesson we all learned well. I didn’t finish my chullo in the three days we had, but I did finish it by the time we left Lima … except for the tassle on top. That detail will just have to come later!
The other tour participants worked at tapestry weaving with Maximo Laura or machine embroidery with Simona Cutipa. I cannot understand why I don’t see any pictures of these people at work. What was I thinking? I can clearly see the old Singer sewing machines and the intricate hand guided stitching taking place. Perhaps I can show you the name tag Sasha had made for each of us by Simona. They are not to be confused with a computer generated sample either, this was very much hand guided. Such talent!
To see all the Peru pictures click here.