patterned

Timeless beauty is woven in the looms of the Desert Weavers of India, the hands that transform cotton yarns into a distinguished shawl. Alabaster and onyx hues unite in the folk art pattern that characterizes this fringed garment as a work of art, ready to add elegance to any ensemble.

Thick yarns add rich texture to this fascinating kente cloth shawl by Gobah Tengey-Seddoh. Strips of black, white and Delft blue make a dramatic and handsome color combination. Designed and woven of coarse local cotton in the 12th century, the lokpo pattern means "heavy or thick in texture."

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. However 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.

In tones of beige and brown that evoke the beauty of Masceti beach in Bali, this elegant shawl is handwoven of cotton, featuring a plaid pattern. Made Arsana designs the shawl, colored with natural dyes. Majestic fringes complete the shawl at each end.

Against an ivory body, stripes of black decorate this Indian shawl with a classic flair. Ritu Agnihotri designs this shawl, which is woven from cotton by Indian artisans. Fringes complete this accessory at the ends.

Unique people need unique fashion accessories like this spectacular shawl featuring floral screen-printed motifs and beautifully crafted patchwork stitched together with acrylic yarn. The soft shawl with tassels at the ends is woven on a power loom from 100% wool and is designed by Arnab Roy in India.