Saturday, June 18, 2016

Fall Cometh!

Elizabeth Felgate has designed this lovely shawl for Fall issue of Knotions

WHEN DOVES CRY SHAWL BY AFIFA  


Friday, June 17, 2016

Hopi Rain Sash

 DAM (Denver Art Museum) had an exhibit of "Why We Dance" and on display were various Native American costumes--all decorated with beads, feathers, bells and also on display was this Hopi Rain Sash and Stockings.  The only info was "Hopi Artist--1950; Rain Sash and stockings".  The comment was cotton and corn husk.  I couldn't see the corn husk so did some research.  
Looking at this tightly woven sash, I could see a twill pattern--and it is definitely cotton fiber.

The display showed how it was worn

and the close-up shows the intriguing twill pattern, but where are the corn husks?

"The cotton stockings look to be crochet or netting--no info on the technique, just Zia Artist, 1940's--During ceremonies, many Pueblo dancers wear decorative white cotton leggings with long white fringe on each side to emphasize their movements. Another very important piece of the dance clothing is a white sash tied around the dancer's waist, sometimes called a rain sash.  The extreme length of the fringe simulates falling rain as rows of dancers move across the plaza"

Here is the other info I gathered in my research about the rain sash.
This is a very tightly woven example. Cotton balls with corn husk interiors symbolize rain clouds, rain fall and the expectation of vegetal fertility. “The wide belt is part of the bridal robe woven by the male relatives of the bride-groom in the preparation phase before the wedding. As in all Hopi textiles, it is full of symbolic references. The cords, tied with thick knots, represent falling rain. 
The thick knots, which represent clouds are filled with a ball of corn husk and the fringe represents falling rain. Corn is the ultimate objective of planting and irrigation.

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Abstract Colors

It was a treat to visit DAM (Denver Art Museum) on members' preview day for
this exciting exhibit of women of abstract expressionism.
I tried to take a photo of each of the paintings, but
here I've posted just a few of the colors of
abstract paintings!













Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Wednesday, Here We Come

It's another Wednesday--'humpday' to the week.  And what's on tap for our Wednesday Yarn Along?
I'm so proud of myself--whoops, almost broke my arm from patting myself on my back!
Anyway, I have finished June's pattern for 2016 lace scarf designed by Elizabeth Ravenwood--found
on Ravelry.  The color looks washed out--I'm all caught up!

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Flag Day

In American history, June 14 isn’t just a day to honor the flag.

Monday, June 13, 2016

There's A Song In The Air!

Autumn is Kate Poe's favorite season. She loves the crisp cool days, how clean the air smells on a clear day, the hint of woodsmoke, and the beauty of the trees as the leaves turn. She lives in an area where there are an abundance of deciduous trees.
This shawl is inspired by falling leaves. The lace pattern forms a spiral. Due to the spiral design, the pattern is only available as a three-quarter or full circle. 4 size options are given.
This pattern is available for $1.00 USD  buy it now
Mystery KAL begins July 1, 2016. 
Sizing
There are four sizing options; small, medium, large, and extra large. The small has 169 rounds/rows (4 clues), the medium has 201 rounds/rows (5 clues), the large has 241 rounds/rows (6 clues), and the extra large has 281 rounds/rows (7 clues).
Gauge & Yardage
This is a shawl, not a sweater, no gauge is specified. Use needles that will result in a fabric you like. If you’re not sure, knit the swatch, block it, and see if you like the resulting fabric.
Yarn usage will depend on final gauge, bind off method and size. Stitch count charts shows the percentage of stitches for each clue.
Necessary Items
Circular knitting needles with a good point are highly recommended.
DPNs (for full circle)
Stitch markers 13-16 minimum
Clue Schedule
Clue 1: July 1, 2016
Clue 2: July 15, 2016
Clue 3: July 29, 2016
Clue 4: August 12, 2016
Clue 5: August 26, 2016
Clues 6 & 7: September 9, 2016
Pricing
Pattern varies in price. $1 through July 15, 2016, $3 through October 14, 2016 and $6 beginning October 15, 2016. The compiled pattern will be released October 15, 2016.
No coupon code is necessary - price will automatically adjust in your cart.

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Convergence--Still Time To Register!


2-Day Workshops running Wednesday-Thursday, August 3-4, 2016
Compositing with Layers in Photoshop (2W-W023), Instructor Louise Lemieux Berube - Most Jacquard weavers have a basic knowledge of Photoshop®. This workshop will expand that foundation by using layers of different images that will create a more complex composition to be woven on a Jacquard loom. This is not about adding weave structures to an image; this is about compositing an image that tells a story. Masks will also be explained and used to improve parts of the composition.A laptop with Photoshop® or Photoshop® Elements installed will be required. Workshop is $270 when purchased with a Convergence® Value Package (CVP) plus an additional $5 materials fee to be paid to the instructor on the first day of class. Class Level: Intermediate. Supply List. Register online.

Exploring Huck and Bronson Lace (2W-W024), Instructor Anne Dixon - Using a pre-warped table loom of 8 shafts or more in either Huck or Bronson, students will learn classic methods and notation for conventional designing, weaving, and recording. They will also study unconventional methods thatbend the rules so that shallow diagonals and curves will be used for weaving. A table loom with 8 or more shafts will be required. Workshop is $270 when purchased with a Convergence® Value Package (CVP) plus an additional $5 materials fee to be paid to the instructor on the first day of class. Class Level: Intermediate. Supply List. Register online.

2-Day Workshops running Thursday-Friday, August 4-5, 2016
Designing Layered Textiles (2W-R031), Instructor Jannie Taylor - Doubleweave is really all about the architecture of a textile. The structure of those layers can be whatever your loom and your imagination allow. Learn to design fabric with 2 or more layers that form patterns, exchange positions, are stitched together, combine weave structures, or open up into 3-dimensional shapes. A laptop (that can run a Windows® based program, i.e. WeavePoint7) will be required. Workshop is $270 when purchased with a Convergence® Value Package (CVP) plus an additional $35 materials fee to be paid to the instructor on the first day of class. Class Level: Intermediate. Supply List. Register online.

East Neets West - A Sampler (2W-R032), Instructor Kay Faulkner - Most weavers look towards European and American weave structures for inspiration. Some real gems can be found in Eastern textiles and analysis of ethnic textiles provides interesting additions of technique—such as warp manipulation, warp wrapping, and weft patterning on warp faced cloth—for the hand weaver. These techniques can then be combined with Western structures to achieve interesting cloth. Instructions will be provided to pre-warp your loom so that the maximum number of techniques can be covered. The combination of several structures in one cloth will be explored. A pre-warped 4 shaft loom, size 12 reed, and 2 shuttles will be required. Workshop is $270 when purchased with a Convergence® Value Package (CVP) plus an additional $3 materials fee to be paid to the instructor on the first day of class. Class Level: All. Supply List. Register online.

Round the Beading Twist (2W-R033), Instructor Jacqui Carey - Twisted cords are quick and easy to make and require little or no equipment. The course will cast new light on this ancient technique, revealing stunning potential and modern, creative designs. Use the workshop to build up a sample book of ideas for cords that can embellish other crafts. Experiment with scale, color, texture and special effects, including beadwork, with the option to make a sample into a necklace. A post that can be clamped (warping post) and a G- or C-clamp will be required. Workshop is $270 when purchased with a Convergence® Value Package (CVP) plus an additional $24 materials fee to be paid to the instructor on the first day of class. Class Level: All. Supply List. Register online.

2-Day Workshops running Friday-Saturday, August 5-6, 2016
Accordion Pleated Felt Hats (2W-F049), Instructor Dawn Edwards - In this wet-felting hat workshop, we will transform Merino wool roving into a beautiful accordion pleated hat. Come and enjoy the making of a fantastic, artistic felt hat perfect for pulling down over your ears on those cold winter days. You may choose to add felt cords and/or a felted flower to give extra flair and visual interest to your hat. We will go over the basics of 3-D felting, creating a hollow form over a template (flat resist), and then using wet-felting techniques (wool, agitation, heat, moisture) to make fabulous felt. Workshop is $270 when purchased with a Convergence® Value Package (CVP) plus an additional $45 materials fee to be paid to the instructor on the first day of class. Class Level: All. Supply List. Register online.

Adding Color to Woven Textiles (2W-F050), Instructor Louise Lemieux Berube - Using transparent pigments for textiles, participants will learn how to apply thin layers of color to textiles woven on Jacquard or dobby looms, with light- and dark-colored yarns. Pébéo Sétacolor and brushes will be provided. These pigments are intermixable, can be dilutedwith water, and can be heat-set to stand up to washing and dry cleaning. A visual presentation will be included explaining a Japanese method of using diluted dyes. Workshop is $270 when purchased with a Convergence® Value Package (CVP) plus an additional $20 materials fee to be paid to the instructor on the first day of class. Class Level: All. Supply ListRegister online.

Repurposing!

 Still cleaning out closets; finding all sorts of interesting things I had forgotten about.  Years ago, I had spun cotton and wove on indigo...