Navajo rugs

While many tribes in the southwest weave, Navajos are best known for their beautiful, handwoven textiles, often called "rugs." While the texture of many weavings is not suitable for the floor, the moniker persists. Navajo women stopped weaving blankets when commercial ones became readily available around the turn of the century, and traders encouraged them to weave rugs for a non-native population.

There have been substantial changes in the yarn that the weavers use over the years. While handspun and home-dyed wool was common in earlier days, commercially dyed and spun yarns date back to the 19th century. Such yarns are the norm today. Contemporary weavers use the same type of Navajo loom as their ancestors, so the weaving technique remains unchanged. There is no rushing this process of creating Navajo rugs, as the weaver painstakingly lays in each strand of yarn by hand.

In Guide to Navajo Weavings by Kent McManis and Robert Jeffries, Kent's knowledge of Navajo textile history and contemporary artists along with Robert's experience with weaving techniques has produced a useful volume for those wishing to learn about or purchase Navajo rugs. It shows examples of the different styles of weavings throughout history, as well as some of the emerging trends. The book also explains what is required to weave a Navajo rug in simplified terms. At Grey Dog Trading Company, owners Kent and Laurie McManis specialize in high quality weavings, with an emphasis on beauty and superb craftsmanship.

Click for more information on Navajo rugs