Autumn and Rosepath.

Autumn has finally really arrived and it has not stopped raining for a few days now. It is a good excuse to get stuck into weaving. The first piece you see was actually woven a little while back now and was based on a sample I got from the Guild that I was curious to decipher.

A trip to Oberon Forest proved quite fruitful and I was happy to see the familiar pine mushrooms that we have back home. They truly are as their name suggestes, "deliciosus". The familiar amanitas were also there and just the most wonderful and vibrant red. What was not so familiar was the forest itself. The pine trees are of a different species from back home and this forest was very clearly planned. Its clear grid and organized structure also made this forest incredibly disorientating. I almost thought I was lost a couple of times and did not venture far from the road. It was nonetheless such a beautiful place, with ferns and moss covered logs and so, so many mushrooms. And the drive back was equally if not more beautiful, with magic hour views of rolling hills in the Jenolan caves area. Brilliant day.

Back to the weaving, the blue and caramel piece is an example of a crammed and spaced 2/2 twill. It was a fun sample to make as it involved a lot more planning than other weaves I had tried till then and I had to do many calculations. In the end it turned out beautiful.

A fine example of a "full bellied" lorikeet.

And finally, the Rosepath, a traditional weave, based on a pointed twill. The last time I visited the Guild, I was given some instructions for the Rosepath and some samplers. The weekend of the same week I was lucky enough to visit Liz Calnan´s studio in Epping. It was a wonderland of looms of all different sizes, boxes and boxes of fibres and so many beautiful things. Liz is a teacher at the Guild and when I told her I was having troubles figuring out how to draw my own designs or copy samples she was quick to help with some course notes. And there you have it, my rosepath sampler.

Esquilo & Mesa.

Early last year we had the opportunity to host and participate in the making of a music video. The video was for a band from Porto called Mesa for a song from their latest album, and was directed by our very talented friend, Jorge Vaz Gomes. Perhaps you remember an earlier post about his skills as a photographer. The video was shot in Meimão. The property we live in as well as my studio feature both in interior and exterior shots. Even our little chickens and yours truly make an appearance.

And if all of the above was not enough… (I was going to say "the icing on the cake", but it quickly came to mind that Proust would not approve of such clichés)... I was asked to help with the wardrobe, which was an outstanding experience. João and Rita from Mesa both wore Esquilo handmade woven pieces, namely a scarf and a wrap, to accent their carefully selected vintage wardrobe. 

The weather was fantastic, sunny with clear blue skies, but very cold. The cast and crew missed rain and snow by just one week. I truly hope the Esquilo woollens made the difference. It was a terrific, busy weekend, spent with old and new friends. 

The video was released last week. I hope you like it.

In the photos you can see Jorge with David Valadão, who was in charge of the camera, and with Rita Reis on set.

The Wall of Wool & Troy.

Last weekend I visited some friends in Melbourne. They were a very creative and positive few days and I came back full of ideas, colours and good energy. The beautiful hand spun wool is from the Handweavers and Spinners Guild of Victoria in North Carlton, where you can find a whole wall of it. All the wool is for sale and is spun by members of the Guild. The colours were vibrant and the textures surprising, with some skeins featuring feathers. Check out their website for contact details as well as opening hours and pay them a visit if you are in the area and want to learn more about these crafts or are looking for that special skein.

A beautiful mosaic table at the CERES community environment park cafe where I had a most delicious breakfast on a perfect sunny sunday. 

Back at home, I finished a small table runner. This was my first project using cotton, but as you can see I also used some wool to see the effect. The twill pattern I chose for this work is called Wall of Troy. I read somewhere that this pattern was ideal for when working with cotton and for making tea towels and the sort. I am very pleased with the result.

Undulating twill and other things.

This week I completed an undulating twill weave using 100% Australian wool. This was an 8 shaft project. I am pleased with the results, but think that it is too heavy for a scarf and for a next project I should adjust the sett. This week I am setting up the loom with cotton and have borrowed a book with Scandinavian Projects to inspire me.

I saw a lucet or Knitting fork for the first time in my life. I was only aware of the French knitting spools. Apparently the rope made with the lucet, an old scandinavian tool, will not unravel if cut. I will have to see if I can make one when I get back home, it seems easy enough to carve out of wood.

Also on the list of things to do when I get back home are strawberry protectors. Strawberry protectors are pebbles painted just like strawberries which supposedly get birds confused when they peck at them and find that they are far from soft and sweet. Here is a link to a site where you can learn how to make them.

I also finally learned what these cotton crochet circles are for. I always thought it was odd that anyone would make what I thought were potholders from crochet cotton. It would just not be practical, with all those holes you would burn your fingers. But what they are really for is to dry your dishes, or in other words "dish cloths". I found these at an op shop along with these pretty yellow and orange embroidered cloths.

This week it seems was a week for learning many new things. To add to the list is Hyperbolic crochet and a book that looks very interesting: 

"A Field Guide to Hyperbolic Space: An Exploration of the Intersection of Higher Geometry and Feminine Handicraft." by Margaret Wertheim.

If you are interested in this subject check out the Institute for Figuring website and perhaps start a Satellite Hyperbolic Reef in your town.

But the best best thing was learning about Australian native bees at the Addison Road Community Garden. I saw a Blue Banded bee there, it was beautiful.

Foxy Goose Eye.

I have finished my first twill on a shaft loom. I decided to try the Goose Eye pattern. I am very pleased with the way it turned out. Today I started setting up the loom with an 8 shaft pattern, which curiously is really not any more of a challenge. This pattern reminds me a little of a fox.

The setting up of the loom is slightly more tedious and requires a little more concentration but it will actually be easier than the Goose Eye pattern to execute. It is an undulating twill pattern with a straight twill threading, so it is just a matter to repeating the shaft combinations in sequence, never having to reverse them. Reversing the pattern really confused me in the Goose Eye pattern, I think my brain only started getting used to the sequences towards the very end of the project.

If you are looking for patterns Handweaving.net is a very good resource. That is where I found the undulating twill pattern which you can check out here if you wish. 

And if you are wanting to adopt a Fox you can do so through the Sydney Fox Rescue. Two weekends ago they were at the Newtown Markets where I got to meet this beautiful Red Fox. If I was staying here longer I would adopt one or at least volunteer to help look after them. If you are wondering why anyone would want to look after these beautiful creatures in Australia, then go and check out their website. There I am sure you will find plenty of good reasons to want to help.

Looming to play.

I borrowed a loom today from the Spinners and Weavers Guild of NSW with all the accessories required to get weaving. All the staff at the Guild are just amazingly helpful and so friendly. I highly recommend anyone that has been thinking of learning how to spin or weave to pay them a visit. I get to use the loom for a whole month for only 10 dollars and I even got some wool for free. Can´t beat that. Now I have to learn how to set it up to weave a twill. Back to school for me.

I thought it was hilarious when my nephew saw the loom when he got home from school and asked with a very confused look on his face: "What is that? Is it a mouse trap?".

But not all is work. Sometimes we can have fun making sand cakes too.

Begin.

It has been awhile since the last post. But it should not take long to bring things back up to date.

The last piece I wove was this lovely pink and burgundy shawl. I made it as a gift for the lady who so kindly lent me the loom I use. That was just before Christmas.

Fast forward a month and a bit and I am now on the other side of the world looking for inspiration. And you don´t need to go very far to find it. The flowering gum is in bloom and the blossoms are so vibrant. My trips to the op-shop have proved surprisingly fruitful and my collection of weaving books is also steadily growing.

I am now a proud member of the Hand Weavers and Spinners Guild of NSW. This means I have access to a library full of the most amazing books as well as looms. Tomorrow I will pick up a loom to bring home on loan so that I can keep working while in the new world.

A trip to the Blue Mountains to visit my friend and jeweler David Loong was lovely and I was so happy when David presented me with the most beautiful oak leaf buttons for my jacket. I love them.

And finally, the much awaited Little Dudes Book is finally available and for sale through the website. If you look closely you can see my little dude, Weavie, on the cover. WOW, now that is very exciting.