Art in The Time of Resistance

Last week to view our latest show, Art in The Time of Resistance. 

I have several pieces in the show.

paper weaving

 I thought it would be need to try a paper weaving project this year and plan to have 365 flowers captured to represent each day of the year. Here is a photo I took of it a few weeks ago.

weaving: candy cane

Trying to play catch up still.
A weaving finished awhile back in red white and silver.

NYS Sheep and Wool Festival

                           

 Alway a fun time at the NYS Sheep and Wool Festival. Photos take on 10/16.

*So much to catch up on here. Please bear with me. ;)

weaving (a lot lately)

I may have developed weaving fever! I've been doing a good amount over the past few months. Some of these have been finished and some are in progress. One, I can't find a photo of is done and I will try to photograph each one as I finish and catch up with those that I have.

  I use wool, cotton and vintage yarns, embroidery floss and metallic threads, roving and really pretty special yarns.

wip - blue weave

weaving #1

wip- weaving

Almost finished with this weaving mixing various wools, cotton and lace

stick weaving

Rose bush branch and wool.

woven placemat

I've bookmarked a lot of the projects in Lena Corwin's new book Made by Hand. There are so many good ones.

The first one I have finished was my friend Jaime's project: a woven placemat.
You need to make your own loom for this project which was fairly simple - I ordered the screen printing frame from Dick Blick and the nails are hammered in on the two vertical sides leaving the horizontal sides free to weave.

The fabric is cut into 1" strips of two different fabrics for the warp and weft (I used Liberty of London and a linen/cotton blend) and weave away. I thought I cut the weft fabric correctly but it frayed a lot as I was weaving perhaps because of the friction but I am not sure so I will try a different fabric next time for that.

Here are few of many of the projects I would like to make.

beaded necklaces

baskets

I am likely to knit Jenny Gordy's sock pattern first but, we will see.

the new york state sheep and wool festival

We made our yearly trip to the New York state sheep and wool festival in Rhinebeck, NY this past Sunday. I think you all know how much I love wool and yarn!

The festival is a knitter's paradise and each year I have a new experience. There are so many vendors and opportunities to learn about various animals and wool crafts such as rug hooking, weaving, felting, natural dyeing and spinning. Also lots of knitting accessories such as exquisite clay buttons, glass shawl closures and wood needles to name a few.

The fall foliage, animals, demonstrations and fair food make it a delight for everyone in the family.


Loop of the Loom was one of my favorites this year and here is the story from the founder. I picked up a few coasters and a pot of Bengala dye.

The Story of Loop of the Loom

Once, I met someone through weaving.
Then, I met another through her.
Both said, "My! It's much fun."
All could share the happiness and excitement I felt when I first wove.
The way you weave is the way you are.
Find yourself, surprise yourself,
and you'll see how beautiful you are.
Everyone is an artist who can move someone else.
Let's sit down and talk it over - the loom and colorful yarns.
Come and join our loop - our circle of SAORI weavers!

Yukako
Founder of Loop of the Loom

Cephalopod Yarns still holds a special place in my heart and I may have dropped a pretty penny here.To the woman standing next to me I said "That's it, I am not going to buy anymore yarn after this."With a knowing look and laugh she replied and well it takes another addicted person to recognize the symptoms in another.:)

I also always enjoy a visit to the Fiber Craft Studio booth.

"Today, more than ever, the crafts have the mission to reconnect the human being to the Earth and her substances, bring healing to the senses and soul,
and foster the creative capacities of the human being" - Renate Hiller

So much I could say here but I am dyeing to get my hands busy off the computer keys. There are more photos on my instagram. Ba Ba Sheep and Wool. See ewe next year.

weaving and knitting

I based this branch weaving on one I saw that Stephanie had made. It is made from wool yarn and wool/silk roving on a grapevine branch from the yard. I've also been working on Marin by Ysolda. I always find Ysolda's patterns so beautiful and really enjoyable/addictive to knit and this one is no exception. I first started it in lace yarn but it was too loose and floppy. This is Quince and Co. chickadee which is sport weight as the pattern calls for and I like it. It is not necessarily my ideal yarn choice for this project but, still very pretty.

weaving

I have been experimenting a little with weaving in a very simple style. I have had a small mini loomette for ages that I bought on ebay and then basically thought about once in a while but never got around to using

I have been trying out different wools with varying weights some of which are crewel wool that is very old and seeing what I like the look of. I bought a handmade loom off etsy recently that is a bit bigger and am now waiting on a weave-it that comes with a longer needle so I don't have to use my short darning needle anymore to move the yarn with.

I met Jaime last month who I found out is my neighbor. She does some very nice weavings amongst other things. It is always so nice to meet up with talented women with shared interests.

Here is my small collection I have made thus far. I am still working out making them look more finished on the edges.