Category Archives: ATV PART 4. YARN AND LINEAR EXPLORATION

Textiles 1 Part 4 Yarn and linear exploration Written reflection

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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.

Textiles 1 Part 4 Yarn and linear exploration Assignment 4 A yarn collection

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Exercise 4.1 Yarns inspired by stitch and marks

Exercise 4.2. Experimental yarns and concepts


Exercise 4.3 Re-interpret, re-invent

Exercise 4.4. Deconstructing colour as yarn

Exercise 4.5. Collage inspired yarn

Textiles 1 Part 4 Yarn and linear exploration. Project 2 Creating linear forms Exercise 4.5 Collage inspired yarn

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To start this exercise I did some research into different types of flat yarns and braids, some of which are woven or knitted, some are shiny such as slit film yarns, and some are typically made from recycled materials such as rag yarns and tape yarns. Some have a stretch such as tape yarns made from t-shirt fabric and some have no give such as those made from recycled sari silk. The handle of flat yarns can be soft and heavy as in many tape yarns, or it can be soft and bulky but lightweight as in knitted flat yarns. Flat braids made by machine or hand interlacing of three or more yarns or fabric strips can be very decorative and may incorporate metallic or plastic elements. Most flat yarns can be made with natural or synthetic materials, which together with the method of construction affects the handle, weight and appearance.

For my first experiments in yarn design inspired by collage I chose the single colour pieces from exercise 3.4. I decided to use flat ribbons, cut out shapes from cotton fabric, and strips cut from hand dyed and pieced fabric. I deliberately chose mostly matt fabrics with some pattern or decoration to give depth to the sample. I tried using felt for one sample but I am not happy with this sample as the felt doesn’t have the depth of colour and interest to reflect the original collages.

Joining techniques used were glue, and machine stitching.

Collage study from Exercise 3.4

Collage study from exercise 3.4

Yarn samples inspired by single colour collages from Exercise 3.4

For the next group of samples, I chose for my inspiration the multicoloured collages from exercise 3.4.

I felt I needed to create my own fabric to make an inspiring starting point for the yarns. With this in mind I gathered together a pile of fabrics with interesting colours, patterns, and surface qualities, which I then tore into strips and ironed onto a base fabric with adhesive webbing. This was then cut into strips and motifs to use in my yarns. This technique has emphasised the qualities of the original collage which was made with many different patterned papers.

I used some different joining techniques to create further interest – hand stitched french knots, machine stitch, macrame with enclosed strips, and rectangles with a cut slit slotted together.

Collage study from exercise 3.4
Collage study from exercise 3.4
  • fabrics chosen for colour and surface quality
  • Iron on webbing used to adhere strips of fabric to a base
Yarns inspired by multicoloured collage from exercise 3.4
Yarn samples inspired by multicoloured collage from exercise 3.4

I am very pleased with the success of the collage fabric I made for a starting point for these yarns and this is something I intend to explore more.

Textiles 1 Part 4 Yarn and linear exploration Project 2 Creating linear forms Exercise 4.4 Deconstructing colour as yarn

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Inspiration from exercise 3.3 Watercolour studies
Material selection including organza ribbon, plied silky yarn, plied wool, silk fabric, lace, cotton fabric and silk waste.

Ideas for deconstruction –

slashing, tearing, shredding, stabbing, puncturing, fringing, untwisting

Slashed silk fabric and organza ribbon
Silk fabric partially deconstructed by pulling out threads
Ripped and deconstructed silk fabric
Cotton hand dyed fabric with strands pulled out
Silk fabric ripped and shredded
Silky yarn unwound to single ply
Chunky knitting wool untwisted to single strands
Hand dyed silk waste pulled apart
Lace, cut into a fringe with scissors
Design 1. Slashed silk, woven with unplied wool, yarn and silk threads
Design 2. Partially deconstructed silk embroidered with unplied silky yarn
Design 3. Slashed and ripped organza ribbon with tied pieces of silk waste, cut lace, ripped silk and unplied wool
Design 4. Fringed lace plaited with ripped organza and unplied knitting wool
Design 5. Deconstructed threads enclosed in organza and stitched
Design 6. Partially deconstructed cotton fabric woven with unplied threads and wool

This was such a different exercise to carry out after the last one and I really was inspired by the transparency of the materials and the deconstruction methods, enabling me to recombine them using the watercolour studies as inspiration. I think they are very effective and demonstrate a new approach to yarn construction.

Textiles 1 Part 4 Yarn and linear exploration Project 2 Creating linear forms Exercise 4.3. Re-interpret, re-invent

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For this exercise I started with the yarn wraps created in response to the painting ‘The Birth of Venus from Part 3 Exercise 3.2.

Fabrics and yarns gathered ready to begin

For the constructed forms I chose to start with Kumihimo braiding using a range of yarns and fabric strips. I also then used one of the cords to create a Chinese good luck knot. This is a time consuming process to make a cord long enough to use for knotting but I am pleased with the results. I also found that using a combination of thick and thin materials created texture and interesting spiral patterns.

Kumihimo circle laid out for a simple braid
Kumihimo

The next technique I tried was cord/rope making, again with various materials. I did find that some materials dominated if they were very thick and meant that the cord wasn’t as detailed as when finer even materials are used.

With one finer cord I tried making smaller knots

I enjoyed using simple macrame and with this technique colours can be changed so that the result looks very different to cording or Kumihimo. The resulting macrame knots can be very even or can be uneven and may be manipulated.

Simple macrame showing changes of colour, uneven knotting, and manipulation to create bobbles.

Moving on to crochet which is a love of mine, I decided to use the yarn wraps from the painting ‘The Lacemaker’ as my inspiration. I used simple stitches but created interest with different materials and use of these stitches (double and treble crochet).

Lots of different uses of simple crochet stitches to make flat braid, twists and curls, wrapped cord, edging, zig-zag braid, and a picot cord. I have concentrated on the richness and depth of colour in my yarn wraps .

Research

For research into the different techniques used, I have consulted the huge range of books that I have at home and also the internet for diagrams and tutorials. Due to current social isolation I have used materials that I have in my craft room including silk fabric, cords, embroidery thread, ribbons, sari silk and knitting wool.

Reflection

With each technique used I have tried to concentrate on texture, colour and overall effect of the yarn wraps. I deliberately kept the techniques simple to create but decided to use these techniques in ways that made the results different to what you would expect, with materials, colour combinations and changes, and combinations of stitches and techniques. I wanted the samples to reflect me and my ideas rather than just to present the techniques, and I feel I have achieved this.

Some samples have not really shown off the colours and inspiration to full effect but they are still valid and could be combined with further explorations so I don’t see anything as a failure.

I realised that I love working with Kumihimo cord but this is very time consuming to produce. I also enjoy working with sari silk, and the lovely fluffy edges which can be exploited by leaving ends to fray . Uneven knots also create interest. I like the contrast between smooth fine embroidery threads, dull textured wool, and shiny frayed silk. Using similar techniques to those used to produce neat braids and crochet but in a more ‘freeform’ way has demonstrated my own creations and inventions.

I found the colours from ‘The Lacemaker’ wraps made a much bolder statement and these were well interpretated in my crochet pieces. I am pleased with the combinations of colours this has produced, and while the samples are clearly derived from the yarn wraps they have been re-invented and re-interpreted to show my personal voice.

Textiles 1 Part 4 Yarn and linear exploration Project 2 Creating linear forms. Review point Demonstration of creativity

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I have been lucky throughout my study so far to have access to a wide range of materials at home and this has enabled me to create interesting work such as the colour wraps in response to the Old Master paintings in Part 3 Exercise 3.2, and creative yarns in Part 4 exercise 4.1.

In Part 4 so far I have seen how drawings of totally unrelated textiles can inspire a whole new body of work and I have demonstrated this in the diverse and interesting yarns that I have made. I have become more experimental for example in the materials I have used such as plastic and cocktail sticks and have used a variety of techniques.

I created very successful crochet pieces in response to the watercolour studies in Part 3 Exercise 3.3 Watercolour studies and this is an indication of me using and finding my personal voice.

I have worked on my presentation and this in turn has inspired me to be creative in mounting and photographing my work.

I want to build on the process of working through colour schemes and images to create a new idea and then to continue this process to achieve work that shows my personal voice.

For me the part of my supporting work that needs to develop most is my sketchbook. In these times of isolation I think a challenge of creating at least one entry each day, however small, will get me into a habit of using my sketchbook successfully.

With regards to Project 2 I would like to take a more simple refined approach to the pieces I create and to concentrate on method, texture and colour.

Textiles 1 Part 4 Yarn and linear exploration Project 1 Exploring lines . Exercise 4.2 Experimental yarns and concepts

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  1. Colour placement and composition
In these four samples I have used the colours from the design in different proportions, creating very different combinations. The method of combining the colours such as Kumihimo braiding, wrapping, plaiting with french knots, and tied strips also affects the overall look of the colour combinations and which ones stand out.

2. Materials exploration

The bright colours and shapes in this fabric made me think of plastic circles, some of which I have wrapped with yarn to echo the pattern and shapes. It also made me think of apples!
Buttons also came to mind when I was looking at the shapes in this pattern – layering them in this way creates the ring effect of the fabric design.
I wanted to use some natural materials and found this pot pourri in my bathroom; on closer inspection the longer pieces turned out to be corrugated cardboard but this also fitted the theme. I have attached them to fabric with a chain stitch.

3. Texture and tonal qualities

The first fabric sample is shiny and has sequins in it while the second is textural, woven and matt. I tried to show these features in my yarn designs. I have used a Kumihimo disc, trapped raffia, yarn wrapping, and stitched sequins.
Pushing the concept further I concentrated on weaving inspired by the first fabric piece, using yarns and cocktail sticks, and including colours from both fabric studies.
For this piece I used a bolder approach with strips of fabric and textured yarn in my weaving. I tore a piece of the original fabric into strips to use, and also used a plastic circle to echo the sequins.

Looking at what I have achieved in this exercise I can see how important it is to make samples and try out lots of ideas when exploring an idea. The concept of developing a series and then revisiting to exaggerate, and push the idea further has been exciting. I have used materials that I have been able to find in my home, – things that have been lurking in a box for years and this is satisfying.

Textiles 1 Part 4 Yarn and linear exploration Project 1 Exploring lines Exercise 4.1 Yarns inspired by stitch and marks

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Selection of work from Part one to inspire yarns

Selection of stitched work from Part two

From these images I selected specific drawings to concentrate on.

30cm lengths of yarn with 1cm repeat

Paper beads, tied yarn wrapped and knotted yarn in black and white, twisted paper with regular knotted strips of twisted paper.
Wire and sequins, crochet and knotted threads
Wire and sequins, crochet paper chain, threaded sequins and knots

30cm lengths of yarn with 5cm repeat

Crochet with threaded ribbon, twisted paper with bubble wrap glued at 5 cm intervals, thread and wire twisted into flower shapes
Twisted paper with thread bows, wire twisted with paper into bud shapes with tied on beads, looped and knotted thread
Scrunched up newspaper wrapped with thread

30cm lengths of yarn with random repeat

Knotted thread with beads and large paper circles
Plaited yarn trapping silk and fabric, crochet loops

1 metre yarns developed from 30 cm samples

Paper beads with knotted threads
Yarn chain with beads and paper circles
Black and white crochet with holes through which lace is inserted.

I really enjoyed this exercise and the development from drawings to lengths of ‘yarn’. I have found that I enjoy intricate work such as the 1 metre length with beads and paper circles – I can see this as an edging. I also love working with paper alongside other materials.