Category: Saori

  • The Antidotal Script

    The Antidotal Script

    Recently some doctors in Shetland have been writing ‘nature scripts‘.  They’re prescribing walking and birdwatching for a variety of illnesses and conditions, in tandem with conventional drugs. I’m not sure what to make of this on a couple of levels!  I would image that Shetland would have a shortage of GPs like we do in…

  • Weaver in Residence

    Weaver in Residence

    I have been toying with the idea of offering an intensive weave and textile opportunity within Curiousweaver Studio for some time.  I meet many people who are thirsty for weaving knowledge and intensive exploration on the loom but may not readily fit these things into their lives unless they can have a concentrated period where…

  • Family Weavers

    Family Weavers

    I recently hosted a trio of sisters in a family craft get together in the studio.  These types of workshops are fantastic and everyone is off to a flying start right at the beginning. We were also joined by Jennie who travelled down from Queensland to weave with us and her work is pictured here.…

  • Weave a yarn

    Weave a yarn

    Inspired by a weave project using a purchased chenille type of linen yarn in Vav magazine lately, I revisted weaving of chenille yarn.  It’s so easy and quite a seductive way of making a yarn as it isn’t spun but woven. It is basically a modified version of cramming and spacing the warp, weaving the…

  • Mad about the Squid

    Mad about the Squid

    I’ve gone a little mad on the Squid vest design. I’m probably the last person in Saori world to make one after seeing it on American sites for years. (Thanks to Terri from Saori Salt Spring for the encouragement). The design is very versatile having a bias side and a horizontal side.  It is put…

  • Pulling Warps

    Pulling Warps

    The magic of weaving cloth doesn’t have to stop when the warp runs out. This technique is a simple and fun one that allows you to change the original sett of the weaving to make it a lighter and more drapeable cloth and also to make the edges speak more or soften them.

  • Can’t get enough of weaving

    Can’t get enough of weaving

    This weekend saw the Crossing Threads duo and artist Christine Appleby brighten the studio.  Kassandra and Lauren weave large commissioned art and I was interested in how this would play with a cloth weaving loom and it’s ability to weave length. Texture plus, thick threads, wools and sakiori strips made the work very lively and…

  • Winter School Warmth

    Winter School Warmth

    Another ultra fabulous Sturt Winter School at Mittagong!  This week left me invigorated with energy and ideas.  The nine weavers worked diligently, moving from idea to idea or following up in projects. We wound lots of warps with the Kenzo system, tried a myriad of techniques, explored colour and texture in every way.  It really…

  • Twacking – lace and other curiousities

    Twacking – lace and other curiousities

    To twack. This is probably the most instinctual thing to do in Saori weaving.  I just learnt this word from the master weaver Archie Brennan (I’m learning so much from him).  A Scottish word meaning to check the quality and feel of a fabric by touch.   A great word and one I will repeat repeatedly…