Warfield Island Hat #3: The Magpie's Helmet

Materials: Wool from Rowan, Chunky Print, and Fleischer’s Spice in “Salt and Pepper” (vintage, 1970s); cotton crochet thread; a strip of black jersey; a length of gold embroidered fabric ribbon; many found metal objects, including charms, earrings, beads, and machine parts

Construction method: crochet, applique

Description: Warfielders prize small but worthless tokens such as beads, keys, and broken jewelry. Traditionally, women wear the tokens of their foremothers on woolen helmet-shaped caps; they believe these tokens invite ancestral protection and power. An old woman will often distribute her tokens to loved ones with stories and songs; it is considered a great compliment to say that someone “died with her cap bare”, because it indicates the person has dispensed all their wisdom, shared all their lore, and faced the unknown bravely.