In 1982, Sharon Nani, a Non Native, started working with the native Americans on the Hoopa Reservation in Northern California to help them develop and market knitwear products with their basket designs.  Sharon's client, Darlene Marshall, established a cottage industry: Native Design & Art.

Click here to go directly to our Native American Featured Artisan Showroom to see her interpretations of the basketry designs of the Hupa, Karuk, and Yurok Native American tribes.  Darlene is a registered member of the Hoopa Indian Tribe.

Sharon also works with other native American tribes applying their Indian symbols and knit logos to various knit items.  Among these are the Pacific Northwest Salish, Northern California tribes of Wintu, Yana, Pit River, Hupa, Yurok, Karuk, Woodlands, and the Arikara of the Plains and Praire tribes of Native American Nations.

These knit wear products are designed and knit by Sharon Nani with the greatest respect and appreciation of the native American culture and art represented in these art styles. All items knit by Sharon and The Knit Tree are considared to be Reproductions of the Native American Arts of various cultures.

These are Unique, Quality, hand loomed knit 2, 3, or 4 Color Blankets.  There are many uses for the knit blanket.  Home decor, Gift, or wearing it at a Native American Event ~ either way ~ these make great heirloom gifts.

The featured designs in these blankets are the Salmon, Orca, Wolf, Owl and the Eagle.  The Salmon is an important symbol to the Coastal Salish.  It is known as "the provider of life."  The Eagle is a symbol of grace and beauty.  There are many legends surrounding the salmon and eagle. "Why the Salmon Come to  Squamish Waters" is one of them. Read the product descriptions in our Online Catalog to learn more about the Totem and the Art Style of the Pacific Northwest.

The 3 color salmon blanket is offered in superfine merino wool or an acrylic version.  The 2 color salmon blanket is also offered in merino wool or acrylic.  The 4 color Eagle with Spreading Wings blanket , Orca, Wolf, and Owl design is available in merino wool and acrylic also.  You can even choose your own colors for our blankets.  The 2 color Eagle Blanket is offered in our online catalog with color choices along with two color versions of the wolf, orca, and owl.  New designs are added upon request.  So if you don't see your Totem, contact us to request the design.   Coming soon will be the Beaver and Bear.  All of these are popular Pacific Northwest Native American designs handloomed on blankets, caps, and other knit items.

Artisan: Sharon Nani / non Native, The Knit Tree

The book "Language of the Robe" by Robert W. Kapoun with Charles J. Lohrmann shows in many ways the importance of the Native American Blanket and the honor in receiving such a gift.  "Indian Trade Blankets in the Pacific Northwest" by W.R. Swagerty is a great article from the "Columbia" Magazine giving a history of the development of the Indian Trade Blankets.

The Pacific Northwest Coast Art is applicable to many Indian Nations ranging from Alaska to Northern California.  This would include: Tlingit, Tahltan, Kaigani Haida, Nisga's, Gitksan, Haida, Haisla, Coast Tsimshian, Nuxalk, Heiltsuk, Nuxalk, Oweekeno, Nuu-chah-nulth, Makah, Coast Salish, Tolowa, Yurok, and Wiyot. 

Have your favorite Native American Reproduction Design Hand Loomed on a Dance Shawl or Select from Basketry Marks already on our Knit Products.

This hand loomed Dance Shawl in the finest Merino Wool makes an elegant statement with its featured Native American Design.  A variation of the Frogs Paw, also known as Frogs Hand or Frog Foot is the central basketry design.  The Triple Snake Nose Design which borders the top and bottom of the dance shawl is also a well known Indian Basketry Mark or Symbol.

Traditionally, Dance Shawls have long fringe on all four sides or three sides - leaving the top not fringed.  Our dance shawl is three sided with 18" long fringe which has been crochet linked to the main body.

We are always honored to receive requests from our clients asking if their favorite basketry motif can be put on a dance shawl or another of our knit products.  This special request came from Pearl, a member of the Klamath Tribe from Oregon.  It is with the deepest respect that we honor this request and present this special Dance Shawl.

If you are interested in submitting a request for your favorite basketry design to become a hand loomed knit on a dance shawl or other knit product, contact us so we can make your desires become a reality.

Contact Us if You Have a Special Design You Want Personalized on a Knit Product

This Tattoo design was submitted by Yatch Bamford who is from the Madesi Band of Pit River Indians.  This special design originally came from a basket woven by Yatch's Grandmother.  What a special honour to his Grandmother to have knit caps hand loomed with this design.  Watch for the Article coming soon from Yatch's family giving you more information and pictures.

Sorry - this cap is not for sale in The Knit Tree online catalog- Knit products that are designed for clients can only be purchased or sold by them unless they offer it for sale to the public.  But we do enjoy putting a picture in our gallery of samples to show you the possibilities of creating Personalized Wearable Art for an individual or family.

Sharon Nani, owner of The Knit Tree, works with special computer software converting your photo or drawing to a graphic form which then can be used in hand looming knit products. Caps, headbands, blankets, wall hangings, and sweaters are among the items that can be personalized with your design.  The design details and size will vary dependant upon the size of the original design or basket mark and the final knit item. A printout of what the finished design will look like is submitted to the client for approval before the actual product is knit. 

Contact The Knit Tree if you are interested in this specialized design service to create a unique and very 'personal' gift which will be a knit heirloom of special significance to the recipient and a remembrance for your whole family.  It's real simple, first email me to tell me about your request, and if I think that the design can be converted, you can email or send me a picture /drawing of what you want, and I will email you back with the possibilities and estimated cost.

Knit blankets, knit caps, and hand loomed knit sweaters are some of the products we can put your logo on dependant upon the size and detail in the logo and the size of the finished knit product.  We offer wholesale pricing and volume discounts.. Logo's are copyright material.  Only someone authorized to submit a logo to be put on a knit product should contact us.

Then the rest is simple, first email The Knit Tree to tell me about your request, and if I think that the design can be converted, you can email or send me the logo file, and I will convert the logo into the graphic chart for knitting.   This computer picture would be emailed back to you for approval before any products can be knit.

One of a Kind Garments with Indian Designs and Symbols are Knit as Reproductions of the art depicted in Native cultures.

These original designs are handloomed in a variety of sizes from xsmall to xxxlarge.  You can even Custom Order changes in body or sleeve lengths for your special needs.  Our One of a Kind Indian designs go fast, like the Indian tank top with matching socks in the flint pattern and our girls cotton cami with the frog foot pattern pictured at the right.  We offer several designs on the tunics such as foot, swallowtail, sturgeon and salmon.  We may even be able to put your own personalized design on the tunic!  Come back often and see what designs and different body styles we have added to the collection so you don't miss out. We have jackets with zippers, hoodies, and pullovers as well as our tunic style. Some have requested a man's knit Indian Vest, so we hope to add that soon.