A Square Shaped Zokin: Grid and Crisscross Sashiko Stitching

ca. mid twentieth century
14" x 13 3/4", 35.5 cm x 35 cm

A zokin is a traditional type of dust rag that is sewn from leftover scraps of cloth--usually zokin are considered to be the end-of-the-line of textile "recycling" in old Japan.

This one is made of folded, indigo dyed cotton (note the two selvedges) that has been sashiko stitched in a grid pattern which is intersected by opposing diagonals.

A lovely piece of old cotton which has been stitched in a rustic fashion, using a single thread instead of the more commonly used double strand.