THIRTY YEARS AGO in the far away land of Peru, I started designing sweaters using the natural fibers of my homeland.  Welcome to our first newsletter being written from my present home on an alpaca farm in Tennessee.  We hope you  enjoy our articles, tips, and information. 

FIBER ARTS EXCURSION TO PERU AND ALPACA FIESTA

Helen Hamann, a native of Peru, and an internationally known knitwear designer and alpaca expert, will accompany this tour and share her experiences growing up and living in Peru.  Join us on this exciting, fun and educational trip to Peru where raising alpacas and knitting and weaving with alpaca yarn are ancient art forms with great cultural importance.

Explore the fascinating culture of this most unique South-American country.  Sample its magnificent, flavorful and varied food - by far one of the best in the world.  Visit ancient Incan ruins and pre-Incan textiles museums.  Shop at local markets, knit with native Quechuan women and visit an alpaca and a vicuna ranch.  Marvel at the scenery: bleak and vast deserts, mesmerizing mountains, deep canyons, productive valleys and impenetrable jungles.  While traveling with fellow alpaca, knitting and textile enthusiasts, receive insightful tips on color, design, texture, fit and all sorts of knitting techniques.

In addition to all of the above activities, we are scheduled to participate in the 2007 Alpaca Fiesta.  This amazing fiesta includes several unique events, workshops, and seminars.  This event is organized by the International Alpaca Association and includes participants in the alpaca and fiber arts industries from all over the world.

The tour will take place from November 4 through 19, 2007.  We are currently accepting registrations and we recommend that you reserve your space promptly because there are only a few remaining places.  To view the itinerary please check our website at http://helenhamann.com/peru_tours.html.

To read about our wonderful 2006 tour, click here. This is an Acrobat PDF and will download to your computer and open in Acrobat.

HELEN HAMANN PATTERNS

Helen Hamann is proud to introduce her line of knitting patterns.  These patterns are designed by Helen exclusively for the knitter who desires a contemporary look, knitted with the finest of natural fibers. Each pattern introduces new techniques and trendy silhouettes that are designed to flatter almost any figure.

To view available patterns please click here.

ADVENTURE IN PERU 2008

During this trip, the travelers will have the chance to appreciate the most diverse and beautiful scenarios in Southern Peru, experiencing at the same time the characteristics of textile art in every particular region. The journey begins with the visit to Lima, where we will see pre-Colombian textiles in two different museums and will be able to enjoy the spectacular local cuisine. The Titicaca Lake is our next stop; there we visit the floating islands of the Uros and the Taquile Island, where we will appreciate an extraordinary textile tradition. The visit to the Mallkini Alpaca Hacienda is something that we can't miss on our trip. Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machupicchu show us the rich cultural and historic tradition that comes to us since pre-Inca times. During these days we will visit three different remote communities, where the local people will share with us ancient textile techniques and designs. Our final destination will be the Amazon jungle in the Pucallpa region, where we will be impressed by the exuberant vegetation and life, and at the same time will have the opportunity to observe the Shipibo weaving art.

In the next several months we will be announcing new and exciting destinations.  Please check our website for new announcements.  We will also be posting them in our future newsletters.

HELEN HAMANN KNITWEAR

We are pleased to announce that we are able to do custom-made garments to satisify your requirements of yarn, color, and size.  Please check our website to view some of our trendy designs which are created to compliment the silhouette of almost anyone.  Prices vary depending on yarn, size, and gauge, but run from $100 to $400 for full service.   The designs in Andean Inspired Knits are also available.

For yarn stores, we can also provide store models or samples.  You can send us the yarn and pattern of your choice and we will custom make the garment.

We also make garments for those alpaca breeders who would like to utilize their spun yarn and make garments for their own use or for resale.  You may choose one of Helen Hamann patterns or provide your own.

For more information call 1-888-587-5568 or email us at helenhamann.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

JUNE 3 - short row shaping workshop at TNNA
JUNE 4 - finishing tips workshop at TNNA
JUNE 9 - workshop at My Sister's Knits in Chicago - (773) 238-4555
JULY 20 - workshop at Salt Springs Fiber Festival
JULY 21 - book signing at Salt Springs Fiber Festival
JULY 28 - workshop at NWNM sponsored by Skacel
JULY 29 - workshop at NWNM  sponsored by Skacel

I would like to close this newsletter by thanking all the yarn distributors who have contracted me to design new knitwear to showcase their yarns; the ones that have provided yarn to produce my books and patterns; the magazines that have published my patterns; the hundreds of ladies that have emailed me requesting my patterns and praising my designs; the yarn stores that have booked me to teach workshops and  book signings; the customers who has purchased my knitwear and rant their satisfaction to their friends and acquaintances; the adventurous traveler who has accompanied me in my exploration of the textile and alpaca industry of ancient and modern Peru--you have made my success possible and my enjoyment of what I do so muh more rewarding.

Sincerely

Helen Hamann
Helen Hamann Designs