19th C. > Sarapes > Previous Blanket | This is the last blanket > Next Section

Late classic sarape
Date:	Circa 1870-1875

“I have heard many stories about the small hole woven into this type of blanket. Some say that while the weaver was working on this blanket somebody in their family passed away, so they left an opening for them. Another story is that the person who was weaving on the rug passed away; then whoever started it up again left an opening for that person. I don’t know—these are just some things that I have heard.” —Barbara Ornelas

“Writers and collectors have called such a hole the ‘Spider Woman’s hole,’ after the holy person who brought the knowledge and tools for weaving to the Navajo people.” —Ann Hedlund

---

Tapestry weave, interlocked joins

1.31 x 1.795 m; Tassels 0.050 m
70.669 x 51.575 in.; Tassels 1.969 in.

Catalog No. 8418

ASM purchase from Nelle A. Dermont, 1919.

Function	Fiber	Type	Ply-Spin-Twist			Color	Dye	Count *
Warp	Wool	Handspun	--	Z	--	White	None	9
Weft	Wool	Raveled	1-5(S)-	--	--	Red--Lighter?	B Coch 30+Lac 70, Tested 2004	51
Weft	Wool	Raveled	1-5(S)-	--	--	Red--Lighter	A Lac 45+Coch 55, Tested 2004	51
Weft	Wool	Handspun	--	Z	--	White	None	46
Weft	Wool	Handspun	--	Z	--	Dk Blue	Indigo	51
Ecord	Wool	Handspun	3	z	S	Dk Blue	Indigo	2
* threads/inch