Strange weaving

[lucas]

Here are some pics of a panama I own (cuenca I'm pretty sure). The center of the hat doesn't have the typical rosette. The straw seems to be brought together in the center in an X formation. Has anyone else seen this type of weaving pattern? I also included some other photos. This hat is as soft and supple as any montecristi I own. Yet, with only 4 vueltas (sp?) I'm pretty confident that it is a cuenca.

 

[Panamabob]

I had about a dozen hats come up like this from Cuenca. I think they're from Peru, but my supplier swears they aren't. I'll get some photos of Peru hats up. He says that, at least this supplier's company, that some still weave with this technique. I've seen it in Peru and Southern Colombia and now Ecuador.