nice scarf

Subtly elegant, this toasty scarf is from Peru's Raquel and Gregor. Artisans weave the scarf on traditional looms in blue, grey and black in a mesmerizing basketweave pattern. Long fringe accents both ends.

A flurry of mauve polka dots adorns this fun and contemporary batik scarf from Kamini in India. Half of the scarf has a dark brown background with mauve dots, while the other half features medium mauve background with light mauve dots. The patterns are hand-dyed on finely textured "Chanderi silk-cotton", a ancient fabric type that is woven with silk thread as the warp and cotton thread as the weft. The scarf features a beautiful drape and neatly hemmed edges.

From the Central American Yama Aj Chixot Artisan Group comes this cozy cotton scarf in gunmetal grey and off-white. Designed for both comfort and style, the scarf features an openwork fabric design with lovely fringed edges. The artists use a floor loom to create the pattern, encouraged by the head artisan whose ultimate goal is to preserve this form of art. He continues to teach women how to engage in this practice, which has traditionally been dominated by men. He says, "The scarf is soft and pretty and the color scheme makes it much more colorful and elegant."

Featuring passionate stripes of royal blue, indigo, and teal, this lavish shawl is handwoven of soft alpaca blend fibers. With a patterned texture, the shawl is elaborated with tufts that separate the different stripes. Peruvian duo Raquel and Gregor design the shawl, finishing it at the end with dainty fringes.

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.