cool scarf

Vinita of Thailand presents this lovely striped scarf in black, grey, and white. Thai artisans expertly weave this cotton infinity scarf by hand, creating the perfect accessory for a chilly day.

Celinda Jaco selects a cozy blend of Andean alpaca for this handsome men's scarf. Classic in style, it features fine stripes of white and gunmetal grey woven through the midnight-black textile. Hand-tied fringe completes a distinguished design.

Enjoy a nice breeze on a cool day in this soft cotton scarf from the Yama Aj Chixot Artisan Group of Guatemala. Using a floor loom, the artists create an openwork fabric design in black and off-white, making it the ideal accessory for any casual outfit. The floor loom has historically been used by men, though the group's head artisan has made it his mission to preserve and teach women this traditional art form. The simple color scheme matches almost any informal attire and provides just the right amount of comfort and warmth.

Golden highlights add a regal touch to this superlative textile by the Gobah-Tengey family. Created in rich kente cloth strips, its name means "Conference in Angola." Takpekpe was designed in 1950 by the late Atsu Gobah Tengey-Seddoh to commemorate a special meeting called by the colonial governor to discuss an additional tax or levy being imposed on the subjects. The conference raised voices against the payment of the special levy.

Expert weavers, the Gobah Tengey-Seddoh Family creates this outstanding shawl in 100% cotton. Each strip requires considerable effort, and the looms are worked with both hands and feet. Strips are generally three to four inches wide and seven to ten feet long, and the length of time it takes to complete one strip varies by the complexity of the chosen pattern. The simplest use mostly vertical, or warp patterns, and an experienced weaver can make several of those in one day. But patterns with nearly all weft (horizontal thread) patterns where the warp design is hardly visible can take up to four days to complete an individual strip. Each color has its own meanings in Asante culture. Green is fertility and new harvest, gold is royalty, black is strength, aging, and spirituality, while white is purity. The patterns themselves are carefully chosen symbols, which a master weaver develops and names, often to honor people, historical events, or proverbs.

Hand wash in cool water and use a warm iron.