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

by Lynda Teller Pete, Lynda Pete

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. Family stories—told by Lynda Teller Pete and Barbara Teller Ornelas, fifth-generation Navajo weavers who have been weaving since they were young girls—from 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.

152 pages, Spiral-bound

Published October 1, 2020

Reviews

[Kristen Suagee-beauduy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Teller Ornelas and Lynda Teller Pete are amazing weavers, incredible teachers, and great writers. This is the second book they've written together and both of their books are historic. Their first book, Spider Woman's Children: Navajo Weaving Today, is the first book about Navajo weavers by Navajo weavers. How to Weave a Navajo Rug and Other Lessons from Spider Woman is the first instructional book about how to weave a Navajo rug written by Navajo weavers. #OwnVoices

These sisters are world-renowned artists at the top of their game and finally getting the attention they deserve. I loved the book's how-to illustrations, photographs of the prize-winning tapestries, Native humor, and firm stance against cultural appropriation. I had the honor of interviewing the Teller sisters about this book for the Tucson Festival of Books 2021 and they are some of the nicest most beautiful people I have ever met--true American treasures. #WalkInBeauty

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a weaver in the Southwest, the lessons from this book will stay with me for a long time. It taught me about what my role is and isn't as an artist and settler in this environment, and how to treat every aspect of weaving with ceremony, importance, and respect. I learned to see weaving as communication and connection to the land and to history, and how weaving and the related processes of wool harvest, dyeing, and spinning, can help us to be more mindful of our place as part of nature. Great supplemental watching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJYmb...

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We try to live our lives in balance each day."