Spring has sprung in Albuquerque’s North Valley and we look longingly each afternoon at these beautiful handmade hammocks swinging in our showroom, dreaming of a nap. We are offering two styles in the shop (one is available online here) and both are available in four colorways. Each is handmade in under fair trade conditions. Read more about their fascinating story below.

Braided Cotton Hammock - $245.00
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The traditional Guarayos braided hammock shown above is hand-knotted of premium cotton thread and available in lush natural colors: green, blue, yellow and earthy terracotta. Its intricate pattern is functional too, allowing soft breezes to cool the weary in the tropical heat. This hammock demands one full month for the artisan to complete: spinning the thread, braiding the design, and crocheting the finish. Its sizable width comfortably fits two and it is woven from 100% color-fast cotton.


Guarayos Cotton Hammock - $229.00

Not to be outdone, the Guarayos hammock (available online here) is famous not only for its quality, but also for its beautiful and distinctive design, an artistry inherited with centuries of tradition. These hammocks were woven by hand in the homes of the women of the village of Salvatierra, one of the most remote villages in Guarayos, Bolivia.

Anyone who has ever sunk into a Bolivian hammock can easily explain why they are famous. The strong elasticity of the cotton weave wraps around a tired body to support it for perfect comfort while letting breezes travel through to carry away the heat.

You can lose the afternoon in one. And be prepared to lose many; the hammock is so well made that it stands up to daily use for decades.

The hammocks are the best in the world because of centuries of product testing under the most rigorous of environments: the Bolivian jungle.

The Guarayos people traditionally slept in hammocks slung between the wooden support posts under a palm thatch roof. Only recently have beds started to appear in the villages. “We could sleep ten people in a room hanging in hammocks!” claims Asencia, who has woven hammocks her entire life.

The first hammocks were woven from the fibrous bark of the Bibosi tree, a ficus. Today’s hammocks are made from high quality cotton thread and colorfast dyes that last in the sun for years.

Since they do not need poles, they take up little room when not in use: Simply hang both ends from the same hook to save space. The hammocks require only gentle soaking in warm, soapy water to freshen them up.

Women learn from their mothers & grandmothers, preserving the same technique over generations. A weaver starts with a single strand of thread and create thicker strands by hand-spinning four threads together. She then wraps the thread around two posts sunk ten feet apart in the earthen floor of her home. These form the length of the hammock. Then she carefully introduces the strands of the vertical thread, knotting the design as she goes. When the body of the hammock is complete, she crochets the fringe on both sides, and then finally creates the loop handles on either end.

Weaving requires one month, five hours per day. Children play nearby, pots of soup boil, and the kitchen fire burns while she works. For women who have myriad responsibilities to their families and farms, hammock-making is ideal. The work provides needed income, their time is flexible, and they can work in the home.

Posted By: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)

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