Commission Inspires A New Palette

There is nothing like a new set a parameters to spark new ideas.

My client wants a shawl she take traveling with her---
1. light weight
2. neutral colors
3. with almost ikat
4. dimensions similar to this but the almost ikat shouldn't be as blocky

She likes the look and feel of the bamboo yarn, so I suggest we try a Color Horoscope Weaving but in a neutral palette. I sent her a Bambu 12 sample card, and together we created this palette



I learned from experience that it is best to wind all the planets first. I spent many (far too many) hours shifting the stripes at 4-end intervals to soften the effect.


If I was going to do this again, I would dye the yarn (or have someone dye the yarn) and do "turned weft ikat". I could achieve a much more interesting effect.


I was very nervous about this piece. Although I had been thinking about a Color Horoscope Weaving in a neutral palette, I really didn't know what it was going to look like. (But it is true that I usually don't know how a warp is going to turn out until I wind it back) I wrote to my client and said "Now, if you don't like this, I will weave you something else." I actually say that to ALL of my clients, and so far I have only had 1 person take me up on it.

Once I got the 10 planets wound, it didn't take very long to wind the rest of the horoscope. I believe I ended up with 16 warp chains. (biting my nails)


And then the moment of truth! I couldn't believe what I saw....so many rich subtle variations....

Since I still have not figured out how to load more than 5 pictures (and thank you all for your past advice and suggestions, but I am just not able to) stay tuned for the next installment.

I will say that it gets better (grin)

Also, I have had 2 people take me up on the towel exchange. How exciting!