I have made 3 peruvian style slings out of polyester yarn and I like those slings but I would love to make a completly authentic replica out of llama or alpaca wool.
A couple questions.
I cant find a good sorce of alpaca/llama yarn that is located in the USA, can any one lead me to a good site?

Can any one tell me or show me to a site that can teach me how to make the patterns on each side of  the pouch like the ones Ben was selling and also the patterns that were on the majority of the cords?

What are the dementions of those slings Ben was selling?

Could anyone direct me to a good reading on peruvian slings?

Thanks alot,

There is a site which is as yet incomplete, but has a description of Andean Up Braiding, also other interesting knot related stuff. I don't understand the description .

http://www.knotworkn.com/braid.html

The Cahlander book has been on my list for ages - eventually I'll maybe buy it! I've been wondering also about the 'real' techniques used by the Peruvians and Bolivians for making these patterns, although it's fun to try to figure them out one's self .

Does anyone  know of other books describing the native techniques as opposed to using maru dai etc?

Kumihimo, the japanese way of braiding can give the same braid as the Peruvians use, but they use a tool, a table with a hole in it (called maru dai) and bobbins.
In the forum are several threads about braiding that way, and the cheaper disk braids.
Search and you may find.
But the trick is to get hold of the right patterns for the braids, and I do not have them.

One thing the page of Knotworkn misses is how to hold the braid.
After you have worked some strands you lock them down with your fingers, and when turning the braid, you grap the ones just used in your fist, while you lift the ones you will do for the next bit to the outside.
That makes it posible to manipulate 32 strands with no more tools than just your hands, without going mad.

Willeke