Hmmmm....I was also thinking that the stripes were the ties since there are 2 and they are wide enough to fold in half. It is hard to see, but the snow flakes are actually 3 separate strips. I too thought at first that the 2 large squares were pot holders, but they could be pockets. Or....since there are 3 snow flake strips...maybe 1 for a loop at top to put you head into and then one for each tie, and the stripes could be binding on the inner curve of each side of the apron top. Gee, so many choices, see why I asked for help. LOL Thanks for your input, you have definitely given me a few more choices to consider!