Weaving the Rugs

Once the yarn is spun and dyed, it's time to create. Each of the weavers in the Gonzalez family has worked years to learn and refine their craft.

Many of the designs are traditional patterns, which they know by heart. These weavings unfold without the aid of any patterns. Sometimes, if they are making something new or especially difficult, they will follow the pattern on a piece of paper under the strings of the loom.

The weavers use big wooden two pedal looms similar to the ones the Spanish introduced five hundred years ago. A simple 2.5'x5.0' weaving can take ten days or more to finish. Larger ones can take months.