From sheep to loom, each blanket tells a story of family, tradition, and time.
In the misty highlands of Guatemala, where the mountains rise green and steep, you’ll find Telma and Luis—partners in life and in craft—quietly preserving a centuries-old tradition of wool weaving. Together with their extended family, they do everything by hand, from start to finish. This isn’t just a trade—it’s a way of life, passed down through generations.
The journey of each blanket begins with their flock of sheep. After shearing, the wool is washed by hand using gentle, natural soaps, then sun-dried in the crisp mountain air. Telma uses plant-based dyes—think crushed bark, roots, flowers—to colour the wool in earthy, muted tones. Spinning the wool into yarn is a rhythmic, meditative process, done on simple spindles, with care and patience.
Once spun, the yarn is wrapped onto cones and prepared for weaving. The family works together on a traditional wooden pedal loom—a large and beautiful machine that takes up much of their home workshop. Weaving a single blanket takes several days. The texture is thick, soft, and full of character—each piece entirely unique.
But the work doesn’t end there. After the final thread is woven, each blanket is washed again and brushed by hand for softness. This final stage takes up to two more days, giving the wool its familiar, comforting feel—the kind that feels like home from the first touch.
In a world of fast fashion and factory-made goods, Telma and Luis remind us what it means to slow down. Every blanket carries not just warmth, but the essence of a life lived close to the land, woven with purpose and pride.