Riches of the Southwest
 
 

 
 

Over the years the book, Working with the Wool, by Noel Bennet and Tiana Bighorse has become recognized as the definitive work on Navajo weaving. Here is found a step-by-step analysis of how a Navajo rug is created. For our brief introduction, a traditional Navajo rug passes through the following stages from beginning to completed piece.

1. Raising the sheep

2. Cleaning the wool

3. Carding the wool

4. Spinning the yarn

5. Determining the color

6. Setting up the loom

7. Weaving the rug

 

Spinning the yarn

Navajo weavers use a spindle. Spinning wheels are unknown to these once nomadic people who traveled light. The weaver feeds a tuft of carded wool onto the long pointed end of the spindle and, rolling the spindle against her thigh, produces a twisted strand of wool. To improve the tightness, this yarn is respun up to four times.