Mayu

Andean inspired luxury scarves and accessories, made of the purest alpaca fiber, authentically hand knit in Peru. The word “Mayu” meaning “river,” is derived from the common ancestral language of Quechua ( /k??t??w?/), spoken predominantly by the indigenous peoples of the Andes. Mayu is also the nickname of some special Peruvians I encountered throughout my journey. When I first arrived in Peru with the Peace Corps, it was not with the intention of working with a knitting collective. In the isolated region high in the Andes mountains where I lived, the economic opportunities were limited. As my relationship with the women in the community evolved, I began to observe their incredible knitting skills. Knitting was not considered a hobby. Knitting was life. Because of the nature of a small community, my knitting neighbors became business partners and friends. I taught them basic business skills, and lessons grew more advanced over time. Meanwhile, they were teaching me to improve my Peruvian cooking and shared stories and motherly advice. I was invited into their homes and into their lives. Mayu is hand-knit, pure Peruvian alpaca goodness -one hundred percent.