Exercise 4.1 Yarns inspired by stitch and marks
I found it difficult to be inspired by the stitched paper at first. I think what was distracting me from the inspiration was the fact that there was yarn already there. I then went back to the original images which were used to create the stitch paper and there were I felt the inspiration came from.
The first piece that I chose was the image below. What I liked about this piece was the soft feathery edges of the lines. This gave me lots of ideas on types of yarns to create.
Yarn Ideas
Looking at the image with its soft, feathery, delicate lines for inspiration. Thinking of different ways I could create a yarn inspired by this image.
The first yarn I created was made using an old shoe lace, knotting cut lengths of embroidery thread around around the shoe lace. Then dividing up the embroidery thread to create the soft feathery line I was hoping to achieve. Repeating the process all the way down the lace.
This was a lot more time consuming than I anticipated but I feel the time was worth it as the overall effect was successful.
Next developing on from feathery yarn, using the same lace as a base yarn. Knotting on varying thicknesses in varying lengths. Yes it did create a different type of feathery line, but I don't think it was soft enough on reflection.
The next yarns I moved onto some different techniques. The first yarn I wanted to create needed thicker based yarn. To create the thicker yarn I chose to plait the wool. I then attached to the base yarn to create the soft line, cutting up netting into strips and lacing it through the plaited yarn. I like this final look of the yarn and I feel it has a lot room for development.
My final yarn of this collection was a development on my last yarn this time using a lashed yarn wrapped with yarn. Although this gave a thicker more defined yarn it still had the softer edges.
I would like to look at developing the last two yarns together but on a larger scale, mixing the different soft textures together.
With the next set of yarns are inspired by the crossed lines and wispy lines and random dots. For my first yarn design I wanted to incorporate the wispy lines and dots. Creating the dots out of knots in the yarn and then adding wispy length of soft velvety yarn. Reflecting on this piece I think it is to simple and does not show enough of my inspiration of my image.
My next set of yarns was was focused solely at the dots. Mixing knots with beads. I did not have any black beads and wanted to work on with solely black to reflect the pictures. So to improvise I used permanent marker to colour the beads in. I then went on to develop this design using three yarns with varying shape beads, with knots dotted between the beads. Using three yarns to represent the crossing lines in my chosen image. If I was to develop this piece further I would like to try using more yarns knotted together, maybe even knotting them at different spaces across the yarn. I found with using embroidery yarn, the knots were very small. I had to use this width yarn, so it would fit in through the bead. I would need to explore other options for the knots on this yarn.
The final two yarns where inspired by the crossover lines. The first yarn I chose to work on involved using a rigid material to create a more striking effect against the softer base yarn. To create the base yarn I used the plaiting technique to give a wider yarn. Attaching to the base yarn a rigid product wrapping I had stashed away, I believe it was made of paper. Knotting the cut lengths onto the base yarn, using two pieces of the material to create the crossover effect. I felt rigid fulfilled what I was hoping to achieve.
The final yarn reflected the crossover lines, with the inclusion of dots. This time instead of plaiting knotting the yarn at intervals. Then tying yarn with small dots as part of the yarn onto the yarn. The part I liked about this yarn was the look that was achieved knotting the three yarns together.
I have some great example yarns to work from and develop on, some key areas that worked better than others. I look at merging the some of the designs to develop into bigger and better pieces.
100cm Yarns
I began by looking over the yarn designs which had worked well on my previous yarn designs. I wanted to see what worked well, and areas that could be developed.
The first yarn I wanted to develop the soft feathery line further. Using a softer base yarn, to create the softer yarn I twisted three lengths of netting. I then knotted shorter length of embroidery yarn to the netting, separating the yarn to create a feathery effect. I felt like there needed to have more texture, to achieve more I used lengths of wool. Dividing them into three strands and then fluffing them by running my nail along the strands.
I think I successfully achieved the soft feathery effect I was looking to recreate.
Using the soft lines again and developing on from a previous yarn. Using the plaiting technique to achieve a thicker base yarn to entwine the additional yarn onto. To create the soft, watery edges I choose to use lashed yarn and lengths of netting. Using them to wrap in and out of the plait, extending the base yarn into a more diluted black.
The new created yarn, looks naturally created, encapsulating the softness of the lines in the original image.
My final yarn was developed from the beaded yarn, this time taking the yarn to the next level. Using four lengths of yarn with a variety of beads threaded through the length. Again making the beads black to blend in with yarn. Knotting the yarn lengths together a varying points throughout the length. At the knot points adding the paper packaging into crosses by knotting cut lengths.
On reflection if I could do this piece of yarn again I would have liked to have tried a different material for the crossover pieces. Looking at other alternatives for the firm material.
Looking at all three yarns together, I feel as though I have created an interesting and varied collection of yarns. Each having a its own unique qualities.
Exercise 4.2 Experimental yarns and concepts
Colour placement and composition
I found the wording for this task difficult to translate and I hope I have completed the brief?
Using the pastel coloured fabric to base my yarns, I began searching through the different material, buttons, ribbon etc. looking for inspiration with what items I could find with colour that matched the image.
The first yarn, was made using lengths of ribbon sand threading it through wire. Was the ribbon was threaded through the wire I then pushed it down to create a ruffled effect down the length of the yarn. Using longer lengths of ribbon to replicate the more predominant colours in the fabric.
To create more texture in the yarn I added thinner strips of ribbon between the other lengths. I felt this created an interesting yarn, demonstrating the amount of colour used on the fabric. Using the wire also made the yarn pliable.
My second yarn is made up of buttons, using them to replicate the amount colour found on the fabric sample. Using wire to secure them into a linear form, choosing the buttons as I looked at the fabric to decide which colour to pick next.
I then took s moment to reflect I felt like the yarn looked incomplete, I found some fine yarn in a colour that were on the same colour palette. Threading it through the buttons and down the length of the yarn. This added texture to the yarn having the thread flowing down the yarn draws your eye down the length of the yarn.
For my final yarn was based on the work for the renaissance images. I found some small cardboard tubes and yarns matching the colour palette . Looking at the fabric sample and using varying amounts of yarn to replicate the amount of that colour seen on the fabric.
I think this yarn was the most successful of all three of the yarns. The way the three tubes of thread sit on the yarn reminds me of beads. And the colour palette of the yarns match well with the colours of the fabric sample.
Materials exploration
I found this set of yarns difficult to find inspiration, I looked through all my colour work from exercise 3.1. I came across the red and white fabric sample, this reminded me of electrical wires. This then prompted me to take a trip to B&Q to find a selection red and blue items. I stocked up on tape, wire covering, a washing line, among a selection of other items I saw scope to create with.
The first yarn I focused on was with the washing line, I wanted to braid the line like the way my children used to make these things called Scoubidoo's. The first problem I came across was the washing line was to stiff with the wire inside I could manipulate it in the way I needed it to bend. So I decided to use wire cover. The wire cover was much easier to bend and manipulate into braids.
I then wanted to add red to the yarn, so I chose to cut lengths of a red carrier bag. Taking these lengths and entwinning them through the braided plastic. Then with the lengths of blue plastic, stitching through them with the red plastic bag. Pulling the red plastic so it was loosely looped. I actually found this part to be the most interesting, although the most simplest to create.
I then moved onto the creating a yarn with the electrical tape, twisting it around to create a base yarn. Then adding blue strips of tape, cut into smaller strips and wrapped around the red base yarn, these reminded me of flags.
On reflection I wish I had used the tape as yarn further and developed away to knit the yarns together.
The next yarn I used cable ties to create loops and linking them together, like a linked chain.
I wanted to see what else could be done with the cable ties. This time using the ties to create an interesting feature, pairing it with the stiff washing line. Taping the ends of the washing line together and plaiting the line together. Then at random spaces using the blue and red cable ties in a spiky fashion. Although interesting visual, it would not be very practical as a yarn.
Although I found this part of the exercise really daunting when I first read the brief. By the end of the task I was really excited with how these yarns could be developed and taken to another level. I will defiantly be keeping hold of these materials to see if they can be incorporated in future work.
Texture and tonal qualities
Once I had a selection of yarns to use, I began wrapping, knotting and plaiting them to capture the tonal properties of the fabric.
I then moved onto looking at the texture and how best to capture the details on yarn and linear form. The first yarn I wanted to capture the weave in the fabric with flecks of taupe through it. I chose to weave two textured yarns loosely together, using a yarn with hints of brown running through it that peeps through the cream yarn weaved through.
*Weave Yarn*
My next yarn involved wrapping, using a chenille yarn doubled over and then using a brown thin yarn to wrap around the chenille yarn. Trying to capture the small amounts of brown seen in the lengths weaving, at random points. To demonstrate this I have done the wraps at varying points and different widths throughout the length of chenille yarn.
*Wrap Image*
For my final yarn I wanted to be more experimental, I had kept some packaging back from a parcel. I thought that this would work well as the brown shredded paper reminded me of the brown flecks in the fabric. Gathering up strands together and looping them into each other, then taking a cream coloured yarn and wrapping it around each bundle. Creating little bundles down the length of the yarns.
*BUNDLE IMAGE*
Reflecting on the yarn samples I feel as though all three demonstrate the natural material and the different qualities that can be found within the fabric swatch.
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