Hand-shifted ikat "cravat"
Our first prompt in the Ikat Portfolio was a random wrap scarf.
I wrapped it on the warping board in two sections with different stripe patterns.
The class did a group dyeing session using Pro MX Fiber Reactive dye and hung our warps on the porch to dry in the sun.
My design looked boring on the loom so I manually shifted the threads. Much better!
And here is it off the loom. I played around with a bird's eye twill threading. The three twill sections are closest to the camera. The far side is plain weave with some random twill stripes thrown in (idea stolen from Edwina).
I may have declared that all my projects from here on out will become clothes, or at least part of a wearable garment. That's overly ambitious and I'll probably eat my words.
I converted the plain weave part into what I'm calling a cravat, which is almost like a flat infinity scarf. The tassels are made from my ikat thrums. Penland haircut courtesy of tonz.salon. 🙃
I'm saving the three twill sections for something special. The fabric is wonderfully plush.
Weaver's Notes
Sett: 30 EPI (2 per dent in a 15 dent reed)
Warp length: 3 yards
WarpYarn: 8/2 tencel dyed with Pro MX Fiber Reactive dye (Indigo 422N)
Weft Yarn: 30/2 silk leftover from ikat experiments, two shades of blue (medium and light)
Total ends: 240
Draft: A Handweaver's Pattern Book, Finnish Birds Eye (p19)
My loom guardian, offering protection from broken warp threads (and flying squirrels, apparently! 😮)