Mapuche Loom – Introductory Basic Level - USA

Learn from scratch how to weave on the Mapuche loom, integrating technique, structure, and cultural understanding.

This course, led by Deissy Roco (Bachelor of Arts and textile specialist), guides you step by step in learning the witral, respecting its ancestral origin while adapting it to an accessible pedagogical approach for home or classroom use.

What will you learn?

✔ Construction of the ARTERUKA Homemade Mapuche Loom

✔ Wool preparation: spinning and dyeing

✔ Warp setup (circular and figure-eight)

✔ Initial chain stitch (huachin)

✔ Use of the tonón and shed formation

✔ Fundamental textile structures:

• Reps de tramas (weft-faced weave)

• Plain weave (ligamento de tela)

• Twisted stitches (torzales)

• Linking techniques and Kelim

• Supplementary weft and embarrilados

✔ Integrative final project: Woven keychain on the loom

Who is this for?

• Beginners with no prior experience

• Teachers and workshop facilitators

• Artisans who wish to expand their techniques

• Textile heritage enthusiasts

No prior knowledge is required—only a willingness to learn with patience and respect.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you will be able to set up your own loom, understand textile structure, and confidently create basic woven pieces with technical precision.

This level provides a solid foundation for advancing toward more complex designs.

More than learning to weave, you will begin to understand the loom as living memory and conscious structure.

Future Courses

This course is the foundation for advancing to:

Intermediate Level: Design, symbolism, and warp-faced weave techniques (Reps de Urdimbre).

Advanced Level: Ñimin, traditional geometric and figurative designs such as belts and mantles.

Weave your story with Arteruka.