Weaving Update

Finally, a bit more weaving to show. First an alpaca/silk wrap in a combination of thick and thin yarns woven in plain weave but a complex threading and treadling to give a "random-looking" texture. Not the first and I'm sure it won't be the last time I find a complex way of doing something simple!

For a change of scene I put on an experimental linen warp, also in thick and thin yarns but with less difference in the size. To be effective I think the thick should be about four times the size of the thin.  This time there was also a difference in colour. The first few inches told me it was not going to be suitable for table mats or runners so I wove half a yard or so of each of the colours of 16/1 linen I had. The thick yarn is 16/2 in silver-grey and the thin in the warp is pale pink.

 The result is a pleasing collection of linen fabrics I think will be excellent for book covers and greeting cards. Already I have sent the first "guinea pig" postcard away and await a report of how it stood up to the mail service.

 
 

Catch Up Time

Ooops!  I have been taken to task by my mate Peg who is asking why I do not have my Cloak on my blog - and certainly it is time for an update.  I did post photos in June last year but am happy to have a second viewing. The PWN Exhibition "Cloak" was held successfully at Pataka Gallery in Porirua, again in Oxford, Canterbury, and finally at the Wallace Gallery in Morrinsville. My main entry was called "A Thing of Shreds and Patches", a cloak for a minstrel. Here are several views of it showing the changing colour from green in the front to blue in the back.

 The cloak was returned to me after the exhibition tour and has subsequently been sold to a friend who coveted it at first sight. It fits her perfectly and I am awaiting a photo of it on its new owner.  I still have my second entry - not so grand or time-consuming to make but I am happy with it.

Now I need to get my camera into gear and photograph a couple of new pieces.

Polychrome Crackle

Another year, another batch of Cross Country samples to deliver. The difference is that this is my last year participating in this group. Much as I enjoy the challenges and the communication with other weavers from all over the country, I've been doing it for well over twenty years and it's time I moved on. It's also time I stopped accumulating more and more samples. I love getting them, but where to put them? I have about ten large folders full which used to sit on top of my yarn shelves -- before the earthquake! Now they have to be part of a re-shuffle and I'm not sure where they will end up.

This year's topic for my group was Crackle. It's an interesting weave but not one of my favourites so I have to go back to the drawing board if I want to use it. This time I found an article on polychrome crackle in an old Handwoven magazine and used that as a base. I first tried out the four possible blocks on 4 shafts, using pairs of all the various colours I could find in suitable yarn.

My favourite colour combination was lime green with a dusky blue so I used this for the rest of the warp and treadled the blocks A B C D C B to make a diamond pattern. This was the piece I cut into samples and send to other members of the group.

 The orange warp was cotton from WAY back and looked better after a wash. This is the first time I have used orange without it screaming "1970s" at me. So that is ticked off and I am happy with it but intend my next project to be a lot more fun!
 

I love January

No meetings, no minutes, no reports . . . no "have to" . . . and the only phone calls are from friends and family . . . AND I get to weave every day!
This is how I wrapped up 2016 and started 2017 . . . two table runners (one for a promised gift) and two tea towels - which I didn't expect to make but as I had made a weird calculation for the length of the warp I had the bonus of a Christmas present without having to think about it.

Nearly Christmas

I don't know where November went! Part of it disappeared down south for a lovely family gathering and another part was a very enjoyable visit from friends. I feel as though I have had my Christmas already.
For once I have some weaving to show; the alpaca/silk wrap is off the loom and finally finished. As always I love this yarn - and now I love this colour as well.

 Not new, but having what has become an annual outing, is my "Litehaus" which was woven for a PWN Light Waves exhibition. I had been advised to "leave the lighting to the gallery" which I did, but was very disappointed with the way it was lit. Now, for the first time I have, with help from a very talented young man, managed to get it lit the way I intended with a flickering light/fan giving the impression of a flame inside the top. It works well and at last I am happy.

 

31 October Californian Poppies

Riverbed near Renwick

30 October Loom with a View

This was the view I had today while threading up my loom with a fine alpaca/silk warp for a wrap. It was nice to be able to have the door open.