I recently read a link from Donni on weaving threads collected from a beach walk. It is a beautiful way to experience a beach walk, and make it linger longer by weaving it.

Our beach at Old Bar is pretty pristine and only has sticks, shells, seaweed and stones except after a flooding of the Manning river. So I tend to photograph interesting textures and happenings rather than collect. This photo was taken from a log on the beach with a lovely covering of moss. It reminded me of what could be a weave structure.

So sorting through some colours this morning I set up a weave with a ruffle inspired by the photo. Weaving ruffles is based on the idea that not all the warp threads should be held under the same tension and weaving in the same way. I placed 50 of the total 200 warp threads on a manual tensioning with big clips hanging at the back of the loom. This means the ruffle warp wasn’t on the warp beam with the other 150 threads.

Beginning to weave, the magic can begin because some of the warp threads can do a different ‘dance’ to the others.  Kenzo Jo in Japan taught me the actual process for the two shaft Saori loom but it is easy to emulate on most looms. If you happen to have two warp beams you can use these instead of the manual makeshift set up. It is a bit slow to manipulate and I placed myself in the delicate, patient hand mindset but it is totally worth it and very enjoyable to weave. They look so good that I could go ruffle crazy.

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