collar scarf

Mexican artisan Petrona Perez and Asociación de Artesanas handcraft a splendid scarf handwoven on a traditional backstrap loom. Using cotton in imperial purple and honey beige, the artisan creates a pattern alternating stripes and blocks, like a subtle checkerboard. The scarf has tassels on each of the four corners and fringe on two sides. When wearing, fold opposite corners together to create a triangle so that the tassels meet in the middle and fringe displays on each side.

Golden yellow stool thrones alternate with black and white squares and stripes in this bold cotton kente scarf. Ghana's Gobah Tengey-Seddoh Family selects the Fiazikpui pattern for a scarf of three fabric strips.

The Fiazikpui motif is created primarily on the weft, or horizontal threads of the loom. The design, which means, "Seat of a King," originated in the 14th century to honor one of the head chiefs or kings of what is now Ghana.

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.

Woven by hand, three strips of traditional West African kente cloth become a colorful scarf. Deborah Osei Boakye continues her grandfather's craft with this extraordinary design. Each strip of kente cloth requires considerable effort, and the looms are worked with both hands and feet. Each color has its own meanings in Ashanti culture, and the patterns themselves are carefully chosen symbols, which a master weaver develops and names. This design is named Nsatsia, meaning "fingers" in the Akan language. Its motifs suggest interlocking fingers from both hands.

By Vinita in Thailand, this generous shawl is woven of a seductive rayon and silk blend. Luscious brocade flowers appear in white on white.

Woven by hand, traditional West African kente cloth becomes a colorful scarf. Rachel Armah presents a traditional design known as Edwene Si Edwene So. The phrase means "double wisdom as special as gold" in the Akan language. Each strip of kente cloth requires considerable effort, and the looms are worked with both hands and feet. Each color has its own meanings in Asante culture. Green is fertility and new harvest, gold is royalty, black is strength, aging and spirituality, and white is purity.

Dewa De Wardana in Bali uses a trio of blue hues to create the striped pattern on this eco-friendly scarf. Balinese artisans hand weave the scarf from cotton, treating the fabric with natural dyes. Pale blue and royal blue stripes criss cross one another over a dark navy base.

Expertly hand-dyed and block-printed by artisans from the Women’s Self-Help Groups in Rajasthan, this ombre cotton scarf boasts delightful duck and chevron patterns that catch the eye. Designed by Indian artisan Savini, it is adorned with vibrant shades that range from orange to purple, adding a pop of color to your look.

Golden yellow stool thrones alternate with black and white squares and stripes in this bold cotton kente scarf. Ghana's Gobah Tengey-Seddoh Family selects the Fiazikpui pattern for a scarf of two fabric strips.

The "Fiazikpui" motif is created primarily on the weft, or horizontal threads of the loom. The design, which means, "Seat of a King," originated in the 14th century to honor one of the head chiefs or kings of what is now Ghana.

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.

Golden yellow stool thrones alternate with black and white squares and stripes in this bold cotton kente scarf. Ghana's Gobah Tengey-Seddoh Family selects the Fiazikpui pattern for a scarf of one single fabric strip.

The "Fiazikpui" motif is created primarily on the weft, or horizontal threads of the loom. The design, which means, "Seat of a King," originated in the 14th century to honor one of the head chiefs or kings of what is now Ghana.

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.

Desak Nyoman Parwati presents this stylish set of three plaid face masks in shades of sapphire, scarlet, and hunter green. Crafted from two layers of 100% cotton, the masks feature elastic ear loops for maximum comfort.

Note: Wash in hot water with detergent before using for the first time.

In colors of kelly green, maize, and charcoal, zigzags, geometric patterns, and small stripes decorate this Ghanaian shawl. Akoma of West Africa presents this scarf, which is handwoven from a rayon and cotton blend to create three strips of kente fabric that are sewn together.

The intricate texture in this handsome kente cloth shawl is inspired by beach pebbles. Designed by a fisherman around 1898, its name means "pebbles of the shore are hard to crack." The tiny blocks of pattern represent the thoughts of that ancestral craftsman. Handcrafted by the Gobah Tengey-Seddoh Family, this extraordinary double weave textile is one of the most difficult patterns to achieve. These expert weavers use traditional looms and a cotton blend.

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.