In contrast, the newer tradition of crocheted caps (fig. 1) from purchased yarn has exploded since they were first woven by Delores Mercado (Hupa) in 1969. In Klamath, Pecwan, Weitchpec,
Hoopa, Orleans, Happy Camp and many other places along the Klamath and Trinity River valleys one sees men wearing crocheted caps on a daily basis. Even babies in their baby baskets
occasionally wear a crocheted cap.
These caps are inbrighter colors reflecting a new age that identifies the wearer as Indian and proud of it. The designs on crocheted caps are primarily those
from basketry caps, and one sees them for sale at gatherings and in shops. Basket caps only change ownership through personal contacts or are sold for hundreds of dollars in galleries or shops
featuring Indian art.
| | In 1929 many weavers told O'Neale that no one was borrowing from crocheted designs, even though many weavers took patterns from books, blankets, newspapers, and
other sources. In addition Elsie Young (Yurok) complained to O’Neale that a prevalent attitude fostered in schools was that weaving with basketry materials was antiquated. Instead, she says
young girls were taught crocheting in school, which was thought more useful to them as women. The exception was at Johnson's where all young girls were still being taught to weave
baskets in 1929. |
|