A handwoven Monk’s Belt cotton shawl in grey and ecru - 60cm wide, hemmed ends, made by Emma Baker in Salisbury
 
This shawl is woven by Emma Baker on a Louet floor loom in Salisbury, Wiltshire using a Monk’s Belt structure in cotton. The warp - the threads strung on the loom before weaving is organic ecru cotton, which provides the warm, off-white background colour of the piece. The weft, the threads passed through the warp during weaving - is subtle grey and blue cotton, which create the Monk’s Belt block pattern against the ecru ground.
 
The Monk’s Belt structure
Monk’s Belt is one of the oldest supplementary weft weave structures in the Western handweaving tradition. Supplementary weft threads float over multiple warp threads in a geometric block pattern, creating clearly defined areas of colour against the lighter background. On this shawl, the grey and blue weft blocks create a structured, geometric surface against the ecru cotton ground. 
 
60cm wide - a true statement shawl width
At 60cm wide and 170cm long, this is the most generously proportioned accessory in Emma’s collection. Most scarves are 25–33cm wide; this piece is wide enough to drape across both shoulders as a light shawl, to wrap around the upper body, or to fold in half lengthways and wear as a more conventional scarf width. The ends have been hemmed rather than fringed to create a clean finish that makes this shawl suitable for formal occasions as well as everyday wear.
 
Wool-free and all-season
This piece is woven entirely from cotton - no wool content. Cotton is naturally soft, breathable and comfortable against the skin in warmer temperatures when a wool shawl would be too much. It is all-season and suitable for people who prefer cotton or who have wool sensitivities.
 
What makes this shawl special
Handwoven by Emma Baker in Salisbury, Wiltshire on a Louet floor loom
Monk’s Belt structure - supplementary weft block pattern in grey and blue on an ecru ground
Organic ecru cotton warp
Grey and blue cotton weft
60cm wide × 170cm long - generous shawl proportions
Hemmed ends - no fringe; clean finish suitable for formal wear
100% cotton - wool-free, all-season 
Part of Emma’s Monk’s Belt cotton collection 
One of a kind
 
A stunning handmade gift
The 60cm width, the Monk’s Belt structure, and the grey, blue and ecru palette make this one of the most versatile and quietly distinctive pieces in Emma’s collection. Grey is the most wardrobe-neutral colour in the range - it works with black, navy, white, cream and every colour in between. A significant birthday, an anniversary, or any occasion where a beautifully made, everyday-wearable handwoven piece is wanted.