thanks for the beauty

 helen frankenthaler

 1928-dec 2011

 a sampling of her paintings here


neki desu

should the only wrinkles be on my face?

first, some flowers for the new year. sorry to sound like the herald of doom, but we need  to hang in there. the chinese horoscope says it's the year of the dragon and it's a difficult sign. i'm pretty sure we'll work difficulties out if we as a community support each other.

now for the weaving part. the sample slightly qualifies as loom shibori because the ripple is very slight. not too sure whether is the spacing, the warp being wool too or the universe conspiring ^_^  tried 4 wefts to one supplemental and 2 to 1 and the latter works slightly better. i can sample with a heftier merino and see what happens, but i'm afraid to use too much warp and then end up with not enough for the top. although i might live dangerously and  do more sampling.

looking forward to an on line stitching workshop with arlee.
 i quote:

"You’ll have to forget some of the rules about embroidery we’ve all strained to achieve when first learning: even stitches, perfectly aligned fabrics and untwisted threads, none of them are welcome in this spontaneous, intuitive and eccentric style! "

sounds like my kind of stitching!

neki desu
 

a weaver's delight

there's an old traditional pattern by such name, although i have been unable to locate it. but much more than a pattern it is the gratification and satisfaction of having a well tensed warp and few mistakes.

starting the new year on a good foot and sampling . using tex 100 wool  for warp and weft and 48/2 charcoal merino as supplemental yarn and sampling to see how both interact. will be back after new year with hopefully some samples to show.

in the meantime an article about one of our founding mothers.

peace.

neki desu