my hero
So, I have spent the last two days trying to figure out a sample for ikat weaving to do with kids on Saturday. Basically, ikat is a process of tie-dyeing the warp before you put it on the loom. When you weave it, the patterns show up like magic. Really talented artists can make pictures, I am hoping for something vaguely stripey.
1. First I tried dyeing some warp using clamps to make the pattern. Actual tie dye with little strings tied everywhere is a pain in the *&#$. It takes 12 times longer to untie everything than it is worth. And you have to tie them super tight to make it work really well. Scratch that.
2. So I tried clamps and clothespins. But the warp really didn't take the dye very well and although it is pretty, it really doesn't look like anything - you can barely see the pattern.
3. So then I had a brainstorm - variegated cross-stitch floss! It's already dyed in a pattern and we have a stash of it. Great! Problem - the pattern is so large scale that you can't see it unless you weave a foot or so. I was aiming for 3 inches. Not good.
4. Then I came home and tried dyeing some cross-stitch floss by leaving it in little skeins and dipping the ends. That works great and makes a nice pattern, but takes several steps (dye, fixer, rinse, dry) and is really too much work for what you get. Argh. Plus I splattered it all over my feet. Blue polka-dotted feet, Good job me.
5. Then I have a brainstorm. Self striping sock yarn! It is designed to make patterns. Quick jump in the car and run to my LYS. Grab two skeins - Patons Kroy Jacquard and Lion Brand Magic Stripe. HOORAY! It looks like it is going to be perfect and there is about 3 warps-worth of yarn in a skein. Both of these yarns have a pattern of 1/2 inch black and white sections alternating with a bright color and appear to be lining up in to something stripey-looking.
becka on 05.10.07 @ 06:49 PM CST [link] [Add a comment]
