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Preface

The art of coconut palm frond weaving dates back thousands of years prior to written history and played a vital part in the lives of many peoples. Today, for many of us who practice this ancient art, untold hours of pleasure and the satisfaction of accomplishment are obtained by weaving coconut palm fronds into hats, baskets, epergnes, mats, and other useful and decorative items.

Having cruised the Bahama Islands extensively in my sailboat in the early 1960's and seen the abundance of coconut palms there, I was surprised to find the Bahamians did not weave articles from this tree. They plait strips from their native palms, especially one they call the "silvertop," and these strips are then sewn into hats, baskets, handbags, and other useful things.

One day in Florida, a guest left two coconut palm frond hats aboard my yacht the Black Dragon. About two weeks later, an irresistible urge compelled me to climb a coconut palm tree to cut a frond, and, after five or six hours of studying the hats, weaving and reweaving in experimentation, my first coconut palm frond hat was completed. Since then, many rewarding hours have been spent weaving numerous items, the weaving of which was learned by practical trial and observation, and by talking with those who could help.

To master the skills of coconut palm frond weaving without frustration, one should read carefully and completely all the instructions, not skipping the first stages in eagerness to make a hat immediately.

Many people who live where coconut palms grow are fascinated by this weaving but were formerly unable to locate a book describing the art. In this book all of the basic skills which I have acquired so laboriously are presented with the sincere hope that others may easily learn this ancient island craft and find in it many pleasant, satisfying hours.

WILLIAM H. GOODLOE