Created by the Italian yarn arts group Sul filo dell'arte, I've been watching this breathtaking project unfold for awhile now and although I'm not entirely sure where it's headed or if it's complete - ie, is the plan to recreate the full piece in yarn? - there is enough completed that I'd like to share.
Almost a shame to unravel these skeins of one-off handspuns, and knit them into garments; I sigh with appreciation each time I wind one off. Of course the acknowledgement of the wonder of the material is part of the process, so is the loopiness that creeps in when working long hours solely.
being transported across Djemaa el Fna by handcart
Seattle-based artist Carol Milne (previously) fabricates flowing glass sculptures that mimic the delicate patterns of knit yarn. Contrary to the assumption that Milne has the super-human ability to knit strands of molten glass by hand, the artist instead devised a somewhat complicated process that involves wax casting, mold-making, and kiln-casting. She discusses her techniques in detail in this video from Heather DiPietro. Over the last year, Milne’s artwork has appeared in the 9th Cheongju International Craft Competition, in the Creative Knitting show at the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, and at the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts. More
Learn with Brigitte how to make nettle yarn from this ancient local fibre plant; enjoy the tales and history of the magical and mysterious local stinging nettle.
Here's a set of photographs by Daniela Edburg, who creates surreal scenes and landscapes around the theme of knitting. She tells us, I started knitting
Julibooli coiled basket at craftser Ed Rossbach Ed Rossbach, the basketmaker, weaver, and textile historian who changed the field of art in the fiber medium through his teaching, research, and writ…
This is an in-progress piece from crochet genius Jo Hamilton, and I love it so much as it is. Everyone needs a (tad creepy) crochet mask for dance parties, right? LINK: JO HAMILTON
knitting work: plainliving styling: Akira Ishikawa photo: Osamu Koizumi [Q's planning&management] info: TOKYO CULTUART by BEAMS
I have been wanting to make something with tassels and when I saw this blanket at IKEA it all just clicked! I found some neon pink yarn and I knew they would be a match made in heaven. This blanket cost me $11, it’s a perfect size, soft, and oh so adorable! I might use
An exhibition spanning the textile artist’s 50-year career celebrates a woman with a deep connection to making and materials.
WOW! All these beautiful afghans paving the stairs to the cathedral were handknit and eventually donated to charity. To yarn bomb is an extraordinary thing in itself but to provide warmth to 1000's in addition is just plain humbling. Imagine the many hands that crocheted these blankets. Young ones. Old ones. Female ones. Male ones. All different colors. Imagine the thoughts that went into each stitch from all those people. And then imagine all those who received these. Just think about the energy in each one of these afghans. That's got to be giving peace and love a chance.
Shared by bigtangle who says, "I run a primary after school knitting club for 7-11 year olds. Last term we yarn bombed the Head Teacher's chair without her knowing!"
Giving a whole new meaning to doing things by halves, our Striped Half + Half…
Claire Knox Bentham, Origin 2011 www.originuk.org/exhibitor/clare-knox-bentham
After 12 years as a jewelry designer, Tammy Kanat knew she was ready for a change. But it wasn’t until she was faced with the conundrum of finding the perfect woven piece to add to…
Sydney-based artist Michelle Robinson weaves textured fibers in vibrant hues into playful, bright wall-hangings and accessories.
Christina McFall over on CRAFT has a great tutorial on using the cyanotype printing technique on textiles like handknits and crochet.
Finished the supposed vessel - it somehow turned into a suspended art textile piece! Crochet and hand dyed yarn. Blogged about here: la-belle-helene-journal.blogspot.com/2010/10/sun-and-shad...
Crafting + Activism = Craftivism, the coolest feminist movement you've never heard of
Habu Textiles I had the unexpected pleasure in August of dropping in on a Habu Textiles Trunk Show at Websters in Ashland, Oregon. On my way back home from meeting Debbie Bliss in Portland, I stopped in at Websters. Websters is always a must stop for me anytime we are travelling Interstate 5 between California and Oregon. I generally stop in for a Louisa Harding fix but this time it was all about Habu! Habu Trunk Show It was definitely a Habu weekend at Websters. Too bad I missed the party the night before my visit. There was a sushi party and book signing for Ori Ami Knits. Takako Ueki The best part of the Habu Trunk Show was meeting Habu Textiles owner, Takako Ueki. I had the pleasure of chatting with her and her friend Darlene Hayes of Nature's Palette for quite a while. Takako was born in Japan. She originally opened her Habu Textiles Showroom in New York City in 2000 for showcasing her beautiful hand woven textiles. Today she imports very unique yarns, like fine silk stainless steel yarns, from Japan. Curious me, I asked Takako what Habu translated to. She told me that it can be translated like this: ""ha" means the number 8 for lucky and the word "bu" means fabric. Lucky me for meeting her! Knitting with Stainless Steel? Kusha Kusha Scarf As a knitter, I had heard about Habu yarns for quite some time and "that" scarf you knit with stainless steel! It wasn't until I saw the Kusha Kusha scarf in person that I instantly became a Habu convert. That's the beauty of going to Trunk Shows. You get to see and touch the garments and yarns. Since I am not a big garment knitter I decided to start with the popular Kusha Kusha scarf designed by Setsuko Torii. I chose a tea leaf colored green merino to knit with the silk stainless in black. I named my scarf Sencha because it looks just like the color of my favorite Japaneses green tea. I started my scarf and it's an easy project. You combine and knit the two yarns together. The yarns are very fine and slippery so it takes a while to get in the "zen" to knit this scarf. I am on my way now and can't wait to finish the knitting so I can felt it. Once it is completed you gently felt in a sink of warm water and then it transforms into a beautiful work of Japanese art. I can't wait! Felted Shawl Kit -73 I was so enamored with Habu Textiles that I ordered Kit -73 to knit a Habu Felted Shawl. My kit finally arrived yesterday. Takako helped me select the colors for my shawl. Of course, it is a blue merino combined with black silk stainless steel. This pattern is the same process as Setsuko's Kusha Kusha scarf only on a larger scale. My Habu Felted Shawl is going to be a stunner...so I better get to knitting! PS: I'm not the only fan of Habu Textiles, Martha Stewart is,too. You can read more about the Habu Textiles Showroom on Martha Stewart.com.
Images via Koron007 Centuries ago, fabric was a rare and precious commodity only the wealthy could afford. So people treasured old and worn-out pieces of clothing to recycle and reuse in order to make new clothes. Thus the sakiori was born. Sakiori comes from the word "saki" which means to tear up or rip and "ori" which means weave. Recycling old fabric remnants into sakiori weavings follows the Japanese indispensable concept of “mottainai” or not wasting precious cloth that can prolong the fabric’s useful life through recycling and reuse. Weaving all these remnants of fabric was immensely hard work back then, however very rewarding and worth the effort as clothing made from repurposed cotton was vastly warmer, softer, and more durable than the rough linens that could be made from Japan’s natural fibers. Sakiori was mostly used to make rugs and covers, but also clothes - mostly jackets and vests. Today, the technique is experiencing a resurgence as a "green", ethical and economical art form. Image via Sources I used to write this post: Sakiori History, Sakiori Weaving, Sakiori Bag.
Pierre Fouché is a lacemaker and internationally respected practitioner and teacher of contemporary bobbin lace. Thematically, his work focuses on portraiture and the gaze, photography and representation, appropriation and web-media cultures, as well as some forays into overt queer politics. This portrait by Cape Town-based artist Pierre Fouché was made over a four year period
Yarn Weaving! Great For Kids And Making Bracelets!
