Third Week, Post I (Discussion of week 2)

Last week was a bit hectic and I was unable to finish my weekly post so I will be doing two posts this week to cover what I did/read last week and what I am doing this week.

I've been reading quite a bit about the history of textiles and it is amazing how early on we understood the physics behind twisting a fiber (albeit intuitively). Tendons, grasses, innards - all of these things were used to create strong fibers with which to fasten things together. Following this came simple ways of weaving things and then, finally, the creation of looms to make fabric with.

Very few fabrics survive due to the delicacy of the fibers used, so how did they piece together that fiber was being twisted and woven? Most often it is the imprint of a woven fiber onto clay that reveals what techniques people were using. Other ways of determining how people created woven products is through paintings and other artwork that depicts daily activities. There are also the few remnants of cloth and clothing that have survived thousands of years in very specific conditions that have allowed us to see actual examples of the cloth and its uses. The history behind spinning and weaving is extremely interesting and, until recently, was very much a family activity.

Another book I read through this week (week 2) was Lexi Boeger's book on spinning designer yarns, I've attempted one or two designs and plan to continue playing with slubs, granny stacks, coils, and adding objects to my spinning. One of the ways I can see some of these yarns being used is definitely in making hats - beyond that I am unsure because the yarn is what needs to be displayed more than a person's proficiency in croceting or knitting. Also, a few designs seem too busy for things like gloves or even a scarf. My enjoyment in designer yarns definitely comes from the challenge of creating them more than anything else and I am extremely excited that I get to do that in the next few weeks.

First Week

I will most likely have a second post this week, but I thought I would start out by listing the texts I will be reading over and using as references, as well as discuss how I plan to present the work I will be doing over the course of the quarter.

the book list is as follows:

Weaving References:

Beyond Weaving - Marcia Chamberlain & Candace Crockett

Weaving: A Handbook of the Fiber Arts - Shirley E. Held

Early American Weaving and Dyeing: The Domestic Manufacturer's Assistant and Family Directory in the Arts of Weaving and Dyeing - J & R Bronson


Dyeing References:

Synthetic Dyes for Natural Fibers - Linda Knutson

Hands on Dyeing - Betsy Blumenthal & Kathryn Kreider

Natural Dyes and Home Dyeing - Rita J. Adrosko


History Books:

Women's Work: The First 20,000 years - Elizabeth Wayland Barber

Women at Work - Thomas Dublin
World Textiles: A Concise History - Mary Schoeser

Spinning and Spinning Wheels - Eliza Leadbeater
Colors: The Story of Dyes and Pigments - Guineau Delamare & Ber Francois


Color Theory References:
Pantone Guide to Communicating with Color - Leatrice Eisemann


Spinning References:

Linen: Hand Spinning and Weaving - Patricia Baines

The Yarn Book - Penny Walsh

Intertwined: The Art of Handspun Yarn, Modern Patterns and Creative Spinning - Lexi Boeger
Spinning Designer Yarns - Diane Varney

I have moved one book (Early American Weaving and Dyeing) from history to weaving reference and have added two history books (Women's Work and Women at Work). I may also use other books as references if I find the information found in the books I've listed do not meet my needs.

I will post my reading and activity schedule later this week.

Ultimately, I plan to present a sample of the spun fiber and samples of it used in knitting and weaving. This will give me a perspective on how novelty yarns and other handspuns look when woven or knitted, which is exactly what I should know to be able to design the proper yarn for a specific project.