Wool Products

Description

In the 16th century, the first sheep were introduced to Argentina. Currently the country is one of the largest wool producers worldwide; It also has organic wool certification.

All kinds of breeds are found in the country, from the fine Creole Merino and the popular Corriedale to the thicker Lincoln and Criolla. Although sheep are raised throughout the territory, 70% are found in Patagonia.

At the artisanal level there is a wide production that includes the most varied techniques and objects for clothing and the home. Spinning is done with a spindle, manual or electric spinning wheel, depending on the area. As for weaving, those with a weft face are produced on a Creole loom and those with a warp face on the Andean backstrap loom and, particularly in the south, on a witral, a vertical loom of the Mapuche culture made up of four sticks.

The Mapuche textile tradition remains current in blankets, ponchos, sashes and rugs with abstract geometric motifs that reflect its symbolic heritage.

In other areas of the country, pre-Hispanic traditions are combined with Spanish ones in the production of knotted, woven (loop or snail) or embroidered rugs, with designs of multicolored stripes, geometric elements or flowers.

In rural areas, fabrics for horse tack appear: peleros, matras, caronillas, cojinillos.

In some craft cooperatives, home productions or design micro-enterprises, two-needle or crochet weaving is added to loom production for garments and accessories, as well as felt.

The great affinity of wool with dyes and the variety of dyeing species available in the territory facilitate the wide use of natural dyes.

In addition to production in cooperatives, artisan associations and family units, there are alliances with designers or business ventures that market products in urban areas.

Traditional wool fabrics, such as barracanes and picotes, are reinterpreted and incorporated into contemporary clothing.

englishWoolen products

The first sheep were introduced in Argentina in the 16th century. Today the country is one of the world's leading wool producers, and it also produces certified organic lambswool.

A variety of breeds can be found in the country, from the fine Merino Criolla and the popular Corriedale, to the coarser Longwood Lincoln and Criolla breeds. Although sheep are raised nationwide, 70% are found in Patagonia.

In terms of handicrafts, a diverse production relies on the most varied techniques and objects for crafting clothing and household items. Spinning is accomplished using a spindle, a manual, or an electric spinning wheel, depending on the region. Concerning weaving, various tools include the creole loom, employed for weft-face weaving; the Andean backstrap loom, used for warp-face weaving; and, particularly in the south, the witral, a vertical loom made up of four poles, is used for weaving in the Mapuche culture.

The Mapuche textile tradition is kept alive in blankets, ponchos, sashes, and rugs with abstract geometric motifs that reflect their symbolic heritage.

In other parts of the country, pre-Hispanic and Spanish traditions are combined in the production of knotted, woven (loop or snail), or embroidered rugs, with multicolored striped designs, geometric elements or flowers.

In rural areas, weavings for horse tack, such as horse blankets, saddle blankets, and saddlecloths, appear with traditional motifs.

In some handicraft cooperatives, home productions or design micro-enterprises, two-needle or crochet weaving, and felting are added to looms for the production of garments and accessories.

The excellent affinity of lambswool with dyes, along with the variety of dye species available in the country, facilitate the wide use of natural dyes.

In addition to production in cooperatives, craft associations, and family groups, alliances are formed with designers and business ventures, and products are marketed in urban areas.

Traditional woolen fabrics, such as barracanes (striped woolen fabrics) and picotes (twill weave fabric), are reinterpreted and incorporated into contemporary clothing.