Stainless Steel & Silk Warp

This length has taken some time as I have been seeing what white yarns I wanted to use on a stainless steel and silk warp. I had been collecting small amounts of the stainless steel and silk over the last couple of years through sampling and shipbuilding as they have been kind to let myself  know about the fabulous yarns from Avril and Habu among a few others. The introduction of Saori weaving from Sampling has opened many possibilities from my ideas head space. So I wind the warp - To which I am still a bit naughty in not working out too many figures like the number of ends per inch and sett, but that's me. I did write down somewhere the number of ends I ended up with but alas it is now in a new safe place.



On the Table Loom,  looking at the light coming through.



I have such a lovely time when sitting chatting to the two companion's that keep myself company on this textile journey - while I explore what happens when ?????? ya that was interesting.

A square of stainless steel and silk to give a feature of some sort.

I still have tension issues and edges that look like waves to which I am learning to live with, forever viewing them as expressions of my emotional and other parts of me coming through.

Unwashed - detail of one end, what wrinkles and where did they come from? 

The weft is a combination of vintage white boucle Paton's (?1950's), wool 3-4 ply, silk and cotton blend, silk gima, cotton, tencel and possibly a couple of other yarns all of which could be brought as white yarn. Along with stainless steel and silk as the open squares to gain shape and movement in the piece or at least interest for me on how to weave them as I go along.



Finished unwashed length laid out in hall.



The only place which is long enough to see the length. Images a bit bright, yet it is a very sunny day and I was glad to see the total length. I kept the fringes longish to see what will happen when wet finishing is done, the only bit will be to sort out knotting.

Thanks

Tapestry - Texture



I am meant to hang length ways with red at the top, but not able to at present.



Red wool and knitting plastic clear / sparkly are what I used in this hanging.

The blending from red to clear was part of my idea and if it had been rectangle

that would be the result. But shape is part of the piece. 





The two differing textures is interesting for me.


This is a piece that seemed to just come about when I put on a warp. I decided to do different lengths, angles for the edges in three sections. I used the method of four selvages method which I find I'm getting better at finishing edges. The act of tapestry weaving gives myself time to explore shape and texture along with experimenting on ideas (some seem strange, but always what about this or could I use that) on many levels. It also brings out enjoyment of making by the way Tapestry is a longer process.

Hand dyed and Knitting

 I explored a couple of years ago - Microwave dyeing with mainly local yarns (except for some very old bubbly yarns - ? Paton's that I got locally). They range in 3-8 plys and I used Food colouring, coming from the primary with only a couple of secondary like green, brown and possible an orange.

 I have hand knitted since I was 11, often following patterns but these scarves are my free form or freedom style. I have applied cast on and do what feels interesting and when I have used the whole ball of 25 -50 grams.

 

 

The next few show a close up of what I have knitted - like wrapping, garter stitch, bringing knitting through and over or picked up. 

This is a gather method that I tried and is more than the 50 grams in weight as I had been going to use as a warp but knitting happened.

 

Just a few made.

P2P2 - A Weaving Journey

P2P2

This has been a very welcomed addition.

I am showing some of the ideas that came forward and looked over some previous weaving that just leaping forward when I thought about this experience.

Two of the images that are very welcome during a cold time this winter.

The grass brought out an old warp that was to be 6 layers but not the colours for me, now happy with a rep weave, yet to be washed.

Whites with texture from all images.

This is for me a throw with another to follow that will be different whites and black instead of grey. The length is 127cm wide which I really like as it gives the Saori/ clasp weft method a fun-ness for me.

Two that brings out the patterns. images in previous P2P2 blog - 15/4/2011

It has been such a pleasure to be part of this project with so many other people that make such wonderful textiles and for Meg to the encouragement and providing the stimulas that has reach far.

Thank you