How to Weave a Navajo Rug and Other Lessons from Spider Woman

About this book

The only how-to book on Navajo weaving told by Navajo weavers Navajo blankets rugs and tapestries are the best-known most-admired and most-collected textiles in North America. There are scores of books about Navajo weaving but no other book like this one. For the first time master Navajo weavers themselves share the deep inside story of how these textiles are created and how their creation resonates in Navajo culture. Want to weave a high-quality Navajo-style rug? This book has detailed how-to instructions meticulously illustrated by a Navajo artist from warping the loom to important finishing touches. Want to understand the deeper meaning? Youll learn why the fixed parts of the loom are male and the working parts are female. Youll learn how weaving relates to the earth the sky and the sacred directions. Youll learn how the Navajo people were given their weaving tradition (and it wasnt borrowed from the Pueblos!) and how important a weavers attitude and spirit are to creating successful rugs. Youll learn what it means to live in hzh the Beauty Way. Family storiestold by Lynda Teller Pete and Barbara Teller Ornelas fifth-generation Navajo weavers who have been weaving since they were young girlsfrom seven generations of weavers lend charm and special insights. Characteristic Native American humor is not in short supply. Their contribution to cultural understanding and the preservation of their craft is priceless.