Having been surrounded by generations of weavers throughout her life, it is little wonder that Merle Andersen took to the craft herself. The present rain hat is a veritable sampler of design work cascading down from a spiral-woven crown. A repeat diamond pattern is enhanced with deep red beads popping against the golden, woven roots, and bands of open weave criss-cross their way around the brim. There is even a subtle play between the more matte roots and a glossy, darker hue on the brim, bordering this hat in a definitive way. Further to the spiral crown, there are two dark stitches lying atop her weave, perhaps a bold signature to top off the work.

AC