Collection of Winter Warmer

 

The three weavings of throw lengths and trialing out the size tags has come to an end. Yes I am still using the size tags - I measure and put small price tags in at 20cm lengths until I have reach the loom length required. I have woven and sold this weaving which is very encouraging.

To now be on the final section of weaving has meant I will consider all the different ideas that I have trialled - uneven hems/fringes, combining yarns, vibrant colours, slightly different lengths are a few. I like all of them and are very happy with what I have woven.

This shows how the weaving looks before washing.

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

Dye - Natural

I attended a Natural Dye day at the local Handspinner and weaver's group near home. A bit cool still, but what colours we created from natural plants and natural dyes.  We took some carrot tops and 8 skeins of 10gm wool from my stash of whites. It gave myself the chance to see if hubby would come along and understand what I mean by natural dyes. We were given a list of items to bring along, with a plate to share, which was a nice way to meet people.

I must confess I took Hubby along, hoping he might enjoy the day. It seems like he did, as he was in at the different dye pots seeing what happens. He came away with a few samples for himself, I wonder if he'll make something. I had asked him along hoping he might as well get some practise with the process, for then he could help here at home. Also that it may make sense to him, my often strange requests in the creating process.



My samples with labels



We mordant a few samples and then into turmeric with two and one into the indigo (blue). Some non-mordant samples into eucalyptus  (what I call a rust red) and turmeric (yellow) and when ready carrot tops (green). I also put into indigo a couple of non-mordant and for varying times to see the shades of blue.

After the mordant the turmeric samples we kept one yellow and put the other one into the indigo to make a bright strong green.  With the carrot tops - I took out one sample and with another, when other ingredients where added to the pot to change the strength of greens. Our dye day was cleaned up and ended with my plate of delectable natural dyed yarns.

What a lovely day to which more natural dyes made be done at home, at the colours were bright and lovely.