All tied on

Finally weaving!  

But the pedals and lams are still a bit fiddly, 

but I won't let that stop me...

Almost done

The evolution of a warp in unlikely places

Monday- visited the weaver on the other side of the hills, Jill of saorisantacruz and bought organic cotton.

Tuesday- took the warping frame to natural bridges.  A stray orange and red thread found their way in to the sea of purple and blues....it was all of the beautiful eucalyptus leaves surrounding me they are responsible for the muted grey blue as well.  It started to rain!

Wednesday- new discovery, the most ergonomic place to warp is the hatchback of my car! Especially  when parked with a view. 

Observation- most women who passed by looked but said nothing, the men were much more inclined to ask questions... Another discovery- weaving May not be as solitary as I sometimes think it is...what about all the family members, boyfriends etc. that are forced to learn a thing or too because it would be so much easier if you could just hold this...

Started to pull treads through the reed although more warp chain would be needed. Unsatisfied with the colors. The sea of purple blues seemed so pretty but unfamiliar to my sense of joy. 

Thursday-  sometimes other things happen. Dance happens, beauty happens, simply slowing down happens.

Friday- warp chains are done. All through the reed, allowed more orange and even some black, now I feel the joy when my eyes rest on all the tange of warp through the reed.  Doing all this in public space was good.  There were less distractions than at home. And the small bits of conversation and interaction, sights, experiences... They all infused themselves into the threads... Now if only I could take the whole loom with me... It's hard to imagine confining this warp to my living room.

How do you know when something is right?

I would think that to weave is a visual art but I find I rely more on my kinestetic experience to tell me when I am on the right track. This warp is such a testament to this . The colors I used are beautiful, but they made me feel uncomfortable when I looked at them. And then then there was the vibrant joy I felt upon seeing a riot of colors that had been living in my mind, as they were worn and danced in front of me...to see the colors gave me permision and a settled sense of rightness in my body and an ability to move forward. And I suppose that is why I must weave on floor looms with foot peddals...when I begin to describe how these individual threads will become cloth my whole body starts moving. I feel the cloth being made as I describe it rather than seeing it being made.