378 



NAVAJO WEAVERS. 



between the threads of the warp is depicted a broad, thin, oakeu stick, 

 /, which I will call the batteii. A set of healds attached to a heald- 



Fig. 42. — Ordinary Navajo blanket loom. 



rod, m, are shown above the batten. These healds are made of cord or 

 yarn ; they include alternate threads of the warp, and serve when drawn 

 forward to open the lower shed. The upper shed is kept patent by a 

 stout rod, n (having no healds attached), which 1 name the shed-rod. 

 Their substitute for the reed of our looms is a wooden fork, which will 

 be designated as the reed-fork (Fig. 44, a). 



For convenience of description, I am obliged to use the word "shuttle," 

 although, strictly speaking, the Navajo has no shuttle. If the figure to 

 be woven is a long stripe, or one where the weft must be passed through 

 inches or more of the shed at one time, the yarn is wound on a slender 

 twig or splinter, or shoved through on the end of such a piece of wood ; 

 but where the pattern is intricate, and the weft passes at each turn 

 through only a few inches of the shed, the yarn is wound into small 

 skeins or balls and shoved through with the linger. 



§ IV. The warp is thus constructed : A frame of four sticks is made, 

 not unlike the frame of the loom, but lying on or near the ground, in- 

 stead of standing erect. The two sticks forming the sides of the frame 

 are rough saplings or rails ; the two forming the top and bottom are 

 smooth rounded poles — often the poles which afterwards serve as the 

 beams of the loom; these are placed parallel to one another, their dis- 

 tance apart depending on the length of the projected blanket. 



