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MARCH 3-9, 2025 Classes & Adventures | MARCH 7-9, 2025 *FESTIVAL*
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Chimayo Story
"The five thousand or so churro sheep that came to New Mexico
with Coronado's expedtion in 1540 were too valued as food to these original settlers to survive and become established flocks in the new territories. New Mexico proved to be a hospitable place for churro,
and the sheep thrived to become an important part of the Spanish colony's economy. Wool in an unprocessed form would be too difficult
to transport (other than on the backs of sheep) to be of value as a trade item. Blankets, however, were in great demand by surrounding trading partners, and by 1840, records show tens of thousands of weavings traded out of New Mexico. Of course, they were used in New Mexico, to ward off the cold of mountain nights, and, in early years, as a wearing blanket. Domestic use as well as those for commerce caused a substantial industry to develop, employing sheepherders, spinners and weavers. Although there was a variety of woven goods produced as part of this trade, the single item in greatest demand was what came to be called the Rio Grande blanket, a general term encompassing the entire weaving tradition of Hispanic New Mexico." https://www.chimayoweavers.com/pages/history-of-rio-grande-weaving