I can’t type up any post without expressing my shock and sadness at the events unfolding in Japan. It seems, amidst the confusing and conflicting news reports, that the nuclear emergency is overshadowing the present suffering of the Japanese residents in affected areas. Obviously any human community will have difficulties co-ordinating such a situation and may need great assistance with means to distribute food, medical supplies and fuels. The Japanese people are generally expressing the ultimate in human stoicism which I greatly admire, but still leaves most of us feeling helpless and useless in the face of such loss and suffering.

In relation to weaving – things are going s l o w, with lots of other life things going on. I have my Toika computer box in Finland and I’m currently refurbishing my studio so I can do Saori workshops as part of their worldwide network.Very exciting.On my Saori loom I have a’ twisted’ Saori weave which is fun to do.I’m always looking to techniques that will introduce air to scarves and clothes using cotton. Cotton doesn’t full like wool so usually likes a tighter weave. Here you can see I’m doing a very simple hand lace called Leno. This particular one is Mexican doubles. I’ve added my daisies to the mix.A great resource for leno by weaver Eleanor Best can be found here.(PDF)