Hand Loomed Cotton Purple Shawl, "Purple Paths"

From the Ecological Weavers from San Juan de la Laguna, this enchanting shawl is crafted entirely by hand. The cotton takes its color from a dye extracted from logwood. The women select a deep purple for the warp threads and lilac for the weft, or horizontal strands – the length of time the cotton is left in the dye pot determines the shade. Woven on a handloom, the wrap is finished with hand knotted fringe. Spaces between the threads create the sensation of parallel lines.

When a weft thread runs out, the women tie on a new one, which results in tiny knots throughout the shawl. These attest to the handcrafted process.