I have enjoyed this section working with a variety of materials to create linear forms. Each exercise led me in a different direction to create a vibrant, textured, imaginative, sensitive and exciting yarn collection with lots of ideas for further development.

Close observation of my original drawings, colour wraps, watercolour strips, and collages has informed my choice of materials, and design. I learnt a lot about development from the original image to the finished sample, for example choosing materials with transparency and using further deconstruction to create yarns for exercise 4.4.

I have demonstrated that I can develop from an initial image – such as the collage exercise – through to a yarn sample that has clear similarities to the original but also has its own design features, which can then serve as a starting point for more development. I have also demonstrated how one sample idea inspired by the single colour collage has been used for a further sample inspired by the multicoloured collage (using rounded shapes to stitch onto a backing to create firstly a single line of motifs and then developed to a more abstract form using the fabric from which the motifs were cut as a negative space).

Within each exercise I started by gathering together a pile of materials to reflect the original image; some of these had been used to create the original sample such as the yarn wraps, and with some I had to reflect the colours and tones from scratch such as the watercolour studies. With some exercises I needed to find other materials such as exercise 4.2 where I found and used plastic rings, buttons, cocktail sticks, pot pourri, paper, beads and sequins. I find that now we are in lockdown, it presents an interesting and useful exercise to only use things that I have at home.

I am looking forward to using everything I have learned in Part 5.

Assessment criteria

Demonstration of technical and visual skills

I have demonstrated the process of close observation of a source through to the design and making of various samples. I have used my technical skills in exercise 4.3 to construct different yarns, focussing on technique, and then progressing to using some of these yarns with another technique (using Kumihimo braids to make Chinese knots). My samples are well made.

Quality of outcome

I have used a consistent approach to presentation, with a clear and coherent layout to communicate my ideas and samples both in my yarn outcomes and within my learning log. The resulting presentation is clear and exciting to look at.

Demonstration of creativity

I am developing a personal voice through my colour choices and techniques used while trying to be inventive and brave. I feel that I have experimented to move away from a traditional concept of yarn. I am developing my sketchbook with the use of printmaking to add to my drawings.

Context

I have practised critical thinking in my learning log as I have gone along, which has proved useful to stand back and think about my approach and achievements.

Also, when talking to my tutor a while ago she advised me to ‘absorb everything’. As everything in lockdown has to be in paper or online form, I have tried to look at lots of articles online about recycling materials, mending, and sharing techniques. I have subscribed to ‘Embroidery’ magazine, and also ‘Selvedge’, both of which have inspiring articles and photos, and also lots of links to online sites which then lead in another direction.