Pfeilraupe Wrap

You might remember back here 

http://loomtalk.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/annes-sliver.html

I talked about this lovely corriedale/silk sliver I spun trying to get a 5 ply or sportweight as some folks call it.

It knitted beautifully into this Pfeilraupe Wrap which is free on ravelry, thank you.  

In the past the wraps I've knitted have been too short so this time I cast on an extra 50 or so stitches (can't remember exactly) and instead of short rowing 5 stitches then 6 stitches I did the calculations so I could short row 6 stitches each time and keep the increase rows and slot rows as per the pattern.

Its an interesting pattern that needs reading right through before you start.  There is enough information with the instructions and charts for it to work, you just have to keep all sections in your head at once.

I shall enjoy wearing this when the weather cools down.  Its mid winter and still too hot for woolies.

Cloak Exhibition - Cloaked in Feathers Series

I am also showing two pieces of wall art in the Cloak exhibition, part of my Cloaked in Feathers series.

Since earliest times Feather Cloaks have been worn. Druids and Shaman, the central figures of an ancient clan's magical and religious life, are recorded as having the power to transform themselves into different forms, in particular the bird. Bards, Druids and Shaman also wore very colourful cloaks made from the skins of birds.

In traditional Maori culture many birds were seen as chiefly and the korowai or feather cloak is still used as a sign of rank and respect.

I am weaving this series to share the beauty of our native birds of New Zealand so people learn to treasure and protect them, hopefully avoiding any more species from going extinct.

Takahe

The flightless takahe is a unique bird and a survivor. Even though the takahe remains on the critically endangered list it has clung to existence despite introduced preditors, hunting and habitat destruction.

The Takahe was believed to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1948. Its night cry was described by Maori as the sound of two pieces of ponamu being struck together.

Tui

The Tui, endemic to New Zealand, are boisterous, medium sized, common and widespread birds of forest and suburbia.  They look black from a distance but in good light tui have a blue, green and bronze irridescent sheen and distinctive white throat tufts (poi).

Adults have a notch on the 8th primary feather and this feather quivers from the narrow part creating the whirring sound common in flight.  They have a noisy unusual call but can also replicate human speech.

Tui are notoriously aggressive and will defend a flowering or fruiting tree from all comers.  They vigorously chase other birds away from their feeding territory.

Cloak Exhibition - Enchanted Forest

For the past 3 years a group of weavers from the Professional Weavers Network of New Zealand have been working towards an exhibition titled 

Cloak - Variations on a theme

Cloak conjures many images; as a garment, a cape, mantle, robe, tunic.

Cloak of secrecy; cover, screen, curtain, shield, conceal, veil

To cloak; hide, mask, conceal, disguise, camouflage

Cloak and dagger; espionage

Cloak as protection; enfold, wrap around, protection for the environment

Cloak as myth; magical, invisibility cloak

Armed with the above concepts to ponder Pete and I set off on a trip to Croatia and Rome in 2013.

I know I took lots and lots of photos of statues of hulking Romans draped in cloaks but they're on another hard drive.  But when I saw the painting of "Our Lady the Protectress" in Dubrovnik Gallery I was smitten and had a basic idea for my cloak piece.  Loved the rich opulance, the over the top clasp and the thought of hidden bold pattern on the inside of the gold exterior.  

And there we have the cloak as protection of the people.

 Along the way there have been many other images which took my eye such as Lady Macbeth's gown and over dress.  Love the strong greens and bronze.  There is a whole book of cloak files on my pinterest site; wish I'd had more time, some of those garments are extraordinary.

And so "Enchanted Forest" emerged.

"Cloak" will be on show at Pataka Gallery, Poirirua, 17 June to 17th July

before travelling.

I won't get to see it until October when it shows at the Wallace Gallery, Morrinsville.

Starburst Shawl

I while back, like in 2013, I had a little play with Snowflake Twill by way of the Starburst pattern which first appeared in Weavers magazine, Issue 13, 1991.  The article has been reprinted in the book "The Best of Weavers Twill Thrills".
http://loomtalk.blogspot.co.nz/2013_01_01_archive.htmlh
Recently Sophie asked me to share the draft:
Hi Dianne, may I ask you to share that beautiful Starburst weaving draft? A friend of mine found your post, and we both loved the Starburst! And now we want to weave it :-) 

This pink picture is as seen in the book Twill Thrills

and below is my interpretation showing quite a difference in the star but still recognisable as Starburst to the point I feel copyright would apply.  What do you think?

This is an 8 shaft draft plus I used an extra 4 shafts for a basket weave selvedge.

Snowflake drafts are formed by combining various twills.  They include an area of advancing twill, usually reversing in the middle but in this draft the advancing twill does not reverse and the runs are lengthened to widen the rays.  Areas of point and straight twill are used along with some satin.

"Twill Thrills" includes a very good article on composing Snowflake drafts and would recommend the acquisition of the book.

Congratulations Pauanesia

Pauanesia, a boutique store in High Street, Auckland, celebrates what is unique about our country with a unique line of goods inspired by the coast, native bush, our stories and the spirit of New Zealand.  

This year Pauanesia turns 21 and to help celebrate it has been my privilege to design 21 scarves telling the story of our wonderful country in one day. 

The series has been woven with lambswool merino in a 5 end extended threading.  The feature is the hand dyed yarn so although each scarf has a unique treadling it is the colour which tells the story.

                                                                                                                                                                     

Lets start with Night and Day:

The second part of the brief was Dawn to Dusk.

Sunrise just east of Tuhua Island, my view most mornings.

 Dawn brief

 Sunset brief

Congratulations to Heather, Nigel and Staff and thank you for being so supportive of us artists.