Knit Shibori Scarves

Recently I taught two one day workshops in Tauranga on shibori, one loom controlled and one I started calling knit shibori but it has grown and developed into dye techniques for any fabric. These three knitted scarves are from the left, pole wrapping, clamping and more pole wrapping with a twist. I intend rewrapping and dyeing the green scarf on the opposite diagonal to portray the nikau palm.
This image was taken from the deck railing outside my diningroom and kitchen. The dunes are an ever changing source of inspiration as is the sea view (Pacific ocean) in the murky distance. When this miserable winter passes and the sky turns blue again I'll post a shot of the view.

Shibori scarves

I have been playing with woven shibori since reading a note about it in Bonnie Inouye's wonderful book Exploring Multishaft Design back in 2003. This year, in April, I was fortunate to travel to Ballarat in Victoria, Australia to attend a Textile Forum. I spent 5 days being tutored by Catherine Ellis, who wrote the book, Woven Shibori. An amazingly wonderful week which brought the information in the book to life.
I love the organic nature of this weave process. You can learn all the rules, control the weaving but once it comes out of the dye process and the resist threads are taken out you find blips in the lines, uneven dye distribution, etc. As my Mum used to say when she opened the pottery kiln, you have to learn to like what you get.

You will notice the diamond pattern on these scarves. In Maori this is called patiki or patikitiki
meaning flounder; the designs are based on the diamond shape of the flounder fish. This design acknowledges the fact that Maori women were always looking for ways to supplement their food supplies even in the dark when the flounder came, when their men were sound asleep.

The Beginning

I get so much enjoyment from reading other blogs I thought it time I shared some of my adventures in the fibre world.
My main fibre occupation (read addiction), at present, is weaving. I also have two active knitting machines (several more under the bed), a spinning wheel, bundles of knitting needles, crochet hooks and a sewing machine. I weave on an 8 shaft floor loom and a 16 shaft mechanical dobby and love creating fine wraps, scarves and mohair blankets. I prefer natural fibres, mainly wool and especially our New Zealand merino which I dye myself.
I do a lot of work for a shop in Auckland so will not always be able to share with you the designs I do for Pauanesia. I also have work in Inspirit Gallery near Hamilton.