Weaving a Navajo Blanket

by Gladys A. Reichard

The author spent four summers (1930–33) living and working among the Navajo, during which time she learned the principles of weaving. In this book she takes readers through the same process, introducing the careful details, the personalities she encountered, and the materials and methods of weaving in the Navajo style.
The spinning of the yarn, the dyes, the equipment, the weaving processes, the designs and colors, even the tensions and textures of the final product are all part of weaving a Navajo blanket. The author guides readers through each step, from choosing the wool through carding and spinning warp and weft yarns, building and setting up a loom, creating a design, and carrying out the actual weaving. Although the emphasis is on typical blanket weaving, the author also covers the related arts of saddleblanket weaving, warp weaving, scalloped edge weaving, double-faced weaving, and sandpainting tapestries. She also comments on history, patterns, symbolism, the effect of the market, and other matters that affect the Navajo weaving style. In five appendixes she reviews the implements and materials of weaving, Navajo materials for natural dyes, weaving terms, and simple lessons in learning to weave a Navajo blanket. Nearly 100 photographs and line drawings illustrate the processes and finished work.
Crafters, whether they want to start from scratch or gradually add Navajo elements to their other weaving skills, will learn from this book the authentic steps of Navajo weaving. Collectors, ethnologists, and others will learn more about materials, techniques, and related matters that will help them in judging, appraising, and enjoying the processes that go into weaving a Navajo blanket.

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1974

About the author

Gladys Amanda Reichard was an anthropologist on the faculty of Barnard College, specializing in Navajo language and culture.

Reviews

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't read this book intending to learn how to weave a blanket or learn how to weave at all. I wanted to read what the author had to tell me about the Navajo that she lived and studied with for four summers of her life and how they did it. I think that part was wonderfully met.

It was a lot of information that included information about their sheep, the wool that they gathered and how it was prepared for weaving. How they went about dying the wool and the dyes that they used. I enjoyed the background information on dyes, both natural and commercial. How the wool was spun and prepared for weaving made sense to me because I had had a little bit of experience with carding and drop spindle spinning. How the weaving frames were built and what they were made of was documented. How the weaving frames were prepared for weaving was discussed, and although it made sense, it was hard to grasp, even with 2d drawings. The tools that each weaver needs were shown and discussed how they were made. The Navajo purchased very few tools and commercial supplies, the main tool being the paddles, used for carding the wool.

I did not understand all of the weaving information. Some of it was over my head, but I read through it. Some little pieces were useful and contained interesting historical information. Weaving patterns for blankets, saddle blankets, belts, and headbands were all discussed and examples shown. The pictures were all very old black and white photos. There were many drawings and diagrams that may have made sense if I were truly interested in learning to weave and understanding them. The problem is, this book is not exactly a "how to do it". How it is done was discussed, but if one has no experience of weaving, picking up this book is not going to teach them. To do that, step by step instructions are needed and more in-depth discussions are needed. The Navajo do not write things down. They teach by example. What the author wrote, was what she learned and interpreted into her book. She was already a weaver.

I really like reading old books of this type. The modern "how to books" do not have the same kind appeal in the sense of the "you were there" feel. I enjoy old gardening and woodworking books for the same reason.

[Toni Zavadil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written like a dissertation. Very technical. Depth of information on weaving interwoven (if you will pardon the pun) with bits of the Navajo culture from the 1940's. This book is not likely going to appeal to very many, but should you want to take up this style of weaving this book is for you.

[Martine · Rating 4 out of 5]

great basic navajo tapestry book

[Mills College Library]

746.97 R348 1974

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contains a lot of first person detail from the 1936 initial publication-- fascinating details and observations. Aso contains technical details and a few complex pattern charts.