Update, April 2018

A lot has happened since my last post. 

After gaining a HNC in Weaving at Bradford College Art School I now have a working studio, and established teaching of spinning.  Commissions and experimental work in machine knitting combined with weaving, creating exciting new textures to compliment and contrast, making cushions, rugs and throws.  More on that later, when I will feature some of the latest designs with pictures on this web-site.  Watch this space!

November update

It's a while since I last posted, so I thought I would share a picture of a cushion I have made recently, using a piece of fabric woven in wool (mostly), with machine knitted borders in the same fibres that I used in the weaving.

The result is lovely, the 20" square cushion.  When fulled and stitched together, with 'snap fastener' tapes sewn into the enclosure, it has been a success, a method I shall repeat.  A small fairisle band was incorporated into a border, outlined in a pick-up technique of dark brown wool like a piping roll.  The resulting fabrics is lovely and soft.

The reverse side

The reverse side is equally interesting with different bands of weaves running across the panel.

I have done a lot of spinning, with occasional dyeing sessions, producing some very interesting colours. 

Knit and Stitch show, Harrogate, is coming up at the end of this month, so another boost to the enthusiasm in these dull autumn days.

I should add, that I have completed the HNC textiles course at Bradford, Graduation is at the beginning of December.

I will post some more soon (promise...!!), as I have a lot of projects on the go, with some interesting developments in my search for local and interesting fleece to process for spinning.  Machine knitting too, is taking an upturn, with interest from enthusiasts in this area.



The last lap...

The final collection
 

Conclusion is fast approaching of a two year exciting trip along 'learning lane'.  Samples are woven, final pieces prepared and ready for showing, and my head is buzzing with last minute things to do.

Here is a picture of the final collection.

Block weave.

The feathers pattern is more clearly seen on the left.

A thick fringe borders the throw which is in gold, rust, dark brown, black and grey bits picked out here and there.

The black cushion below is a chevron designed pattern, using the same warp as the above cushion but threaded in a point draft.



Black chevron cushion

(Yes, it took some doing, especially when faced with a lovely block weave I'd just used, and then I pulled it back through the heddles and re-threaded.)  Cashmere was used in the borders and some of the alternate warp threads re-threaded in brilliant yellow Cashmere.  The result is quite striking.


White rectangle cushion
 

I have some warp left on both my looms, this is for 'playtime' when I let caution to the wind and attempt weaves just for fun, just to see what bizarre weave structures I can create. 

Next....,
        .....well, 'Woolfest' beckons!  My favourite date in the calendar.

Family have been neglected so I must visit them.  The garden is in a mess - partly due to all the rain and mostly because I've been giving weaving all my attention...., and the house needs cleaning throughout following building work now completed.  No time to get bored!

May message..!

Assessment looms up at Bradford College.  Pieces have been woven, a series of four - and are being made into items for display.


A taster of one of the pieces I have just finished.

It's been an adventure, with many ups and downs, the learning curve steep and knowledge base added to ceaselessly.  The wool I have been using recently is an amazing product, I have grown fond of using it and learnt that it has a mind of its own, which reflects the animal it came from.  Being springy, warm, stretchy and accepting of being coloured, together with amazing resilience to being tugged and pulled in all directions and then after fulling coming alive with a softness and 'handle' that is a delight to see and so tactile.

I will post pictures of the final products shortly, they are being sewn together and need fringes making.

The source of my project - the pheasant, is nowhere to be seen now, he's away guarding the 'misses' on the nest.  His place has been taken in the garden by noisy starlings, crowds of chattering sparrows, squabbling greenfinches, hungry blackbirds and a whole raft of other varieties all vying for the bird-table food and other delightful finds in the garden.  They have lovely colours and plumage, providing a tempting palate of design ideas, have you spotted a goldfinch recently, they're amazing?  No shortage of inspiration there.  The soft colours of wool suit this interpretation admirably.

April update

Experiment with block weave

Spring has spring, the daffodils have been amazing and giving way to tulips with their scarlet heads, birds going crazy in the garden flying to and fro, bleatings drifting from the distant fields as new lambs chase and jump.  It's a lovely time of year!  Weaving is going on in my sun lounge at a fast pace.  Here is a picture of some samples I'm working on.

I am currently using Shetland wool, which changes so much with fulling, even different colours shrink and full slightly differently from the same quality.

It's exciting and a little unpredictable.  The result is nice and soft.

Watch this space for the final finished piece!




March update



A feather pen and ink drawing.

Here's our winter resident.
 

Well, here we are in March and I haven't put an update on here since January...., where has the time gone.  Needless to say, I've done quite a bit of weaving, and my next project is based on  this feathered friend that keeps peering at me from the lawn, through the window.  When I make a move to photograph him he scuttles!  But, I did get one or two pictures, and based my next project on him, and his friends. 


This bird is making a hasty retreat after seeing my camera.

Here is 'Flash', called because of his
white wings.  His head is teal blue,
their colours are brilliant!

 I have used the colours of the pheasants in my latest project, browns, tan, white, fawn, teal blue and Lincoln green.  There aren't two alike, they have caused a dilemma recently as their colours have become more vibrant and made my original warp look dull, oh well, that's a challenge to overcome.








Here is my latest warp, which has a long way to go.

I have lots of ideas for creating fabrics in wool, based on the above birds.



Come back to my page soon, for an update on the results.







January update

Experiment with weave structure.  I have yet to decide what to make with it.

Here is a piece I was working on earlier this month, it is woven in wool - mostly Shetland, with some silk.

 

Work is continuing on experimental, and College work.  I will post my next source for design soon, I am working on it together with sourcing wool - my favourite weave fibre.

 

Hand knitting has slipped into my agenda on these dark January evenings, and a look at the knitting machine again, it beckons, I think it will come out of wraps soon...!  More on that later.