WOOL RUGS

Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca.

Entering Rosario and Benito’s workshop is like entering a cozy home, it is a pleasure to listen to everything they have to share. The family has a giant heart that is printed on each of the pieces they make. And in these pieces Rosario is in charge of the raw materials and Don Benito is in charge of giving them shape.

The wool is collected and Rosario, with her delicate hands, turns each fiber into thread. It is her fingers that join each little piece of wool to make endless threads of the thickness she decides. This thread is then dyed with the natural ingredients of the primary color and in their combination, the desired ranges and tones are created for the designs that are reflected in the rugs. All tones are created and combined by them.

Don Benito is in charge of building the wooden loom and placing the threads in the indicated places to make the designs.

Although the designs of Teotitlán del Valle are traditionally fretted, Benito and Rosario manage to capture almost any image on the rugs. Her way of creating colors and working the loom is surprising.

LIMITATION

  • It is preferred to make rectangular or square mats although they can also be made round with a maximum of 2 meters.
  • The process of matching colors is not exact, tests are carried out and an attempt is made to get the closest thing possible.

TREATMENT

  • Should not be dried in a dryer.
  • Preferably hand wash with cold water.
  • Do not use chlorine when washing.
  • It is recommended to place a rug under it so that the mat does not slip.