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Narrative

Bought by the donor in 2004 in Accha Alta, a small community located above the Sacred Valley at an elevation of approximately 11,750 feet.

History Of Use

A knitted cap from Accha Alta; the shape and narrow tail are typical of Accha Alta as well as the particular way that the scalloped edging is done. Knitting and crochet were introduced to the Andes after the Spanish Conquest. These techniques are used for some items of dress and accessories. Knitting is more often done by men, particularly for their caps (chullu, in Quechua). Variations in colours, designs, and fineness in chullus, as well as additions, are used to signal differences in affiliation, age, gender, status, rank, etc., particularly in some communities such as Taquile, Peru where little girls as well as boys and men wear variants of the chullu. Knitting in the round is done on 5 needles that are often fashioned from bicycle spokes.

Specific Techniques

The cap was knitted in the round on five needles.

Description

Knitted cap (chullu) in synthetic and natural yarn with a long tassel, a scalloped border, and ear flaps with woven straps that are connected below the chin. Hooked, diamond, and triangular motifs in off-white against a dark reddish-orange make up the base design that repeats around the cap. A circle of alternating squares in green and yellow appears around the top section of the cap. Diamonds in varied shades of green, pink, purple, blue and orange are arranged in groups of four, forming four larger diamonds on the front, back, and the two sides of above the ear flaps. A repeating pattern of alternating green and orange segments appear above the red and pink scalloped border around the main cap. Purple and dark red scalloping form the border around the ear flaps. The woven straps have diamond motifs in off-white and yellow against a red, magenta, and green background with long twisted yarn tassels in the same colours. The dark reddish-orange and off-white knitted pattern of the cap extends into a long and narrow tail at the top, finished with a bright red tassel.