Exercise 4.5 Collage-inspired yarn

 Choosing two of my collage pieces to work from, the green collage and the black and white collage. 

The first thing that stood out to me observing the collages was the vast amount of straight lines and squares that made up the collages. I wanted to capture this in my yarns, as well as including the texture in the collages.

My first set of yarns was focused on the green collage. For my first yarn, I was suffering from a cold and decided I need something relaxing to do, so I learnt to make crochet square. The crocheted granny squares reminded me of patterned papers from the collage. I then joined the square together with green yarn and adding green felt squares to represent the darker green shapes of the collage. Although I don't think it is one of my strongest yarns, I realised the benefits of textiles and wellbeing. Crocheting was therapeutic and I enjoyed learning a new skill in the process. Using a YouTube video to learn how to create the squares. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npIsh-o9AM0

Using three lengths of green textured yarns, I learnt a plaiting technique that created blocky shapes in the yarn. Again learning following a tutorial on YouTube DIY friendship bracelets! 4 Easy Stackable Arm Candy projects! - YouTube

Using colour tones to reflect the colours seen in the collage piece. Using smooth and feathery yarns to reflect the brush strokes in the painted paper.

The next yarn was created by manipulated ribbon, using a silk green ribbon. Taking a length of the ribbon and folding the ribbon to create blocks on top of the length of yarn. Like the cut rectangle on the collage and creating a layering effect. Then adding to the layering, adding patterned fabric and different green fabric to replicate the papers used in the collage.

I next wanted to try some non-conventional material,  Taking lengths of electrical tapes in corresponding colours to the collage and folding the lengths over themselves making them into lengths of yarn. Then taking the lengths of tape/yarn and weaving them together to create a narrow weaved yarn. 

 

My next set of yarns were focused on the black and white collage. I wanted to use T-shirt yarn for one of my pieces, I realised how expensive it was to buy. I then remembered I had a bag of clothes destined for the charity shop, in the bag I found a black, white and spotty white and black top. These were perfect for this project, again I took to YouTube to find instructions on the best way to produce the yarn. https://youtu.be/oqyhNDSXEfg

I was surprised by how much yarn could be created by from the T-shirts, making them into balls of yarn. I decided I was going to knit with the yarn, creating a small scarf shape.  Again creating square shapes to replicate the squares on the collage. The white fabric with black dots was not as effective as I had hoped it would be, as the material naturally curled in on itself it covered the the print making it look like just a white fabric.  

For my final yarn I wanted to use unconventional material again, I enjoy creating these yarns the most. This time using black tape, newspaper and paper. Using a plaiting technique to create a flat surface, using more of the black tape to reflect how much black can be seen in the collage. The way the unconventional materials sit with each other works well. Creating an interesting visual piece.

The collection of yarns I have created so the concepts I have developed through the collection. My more successful yarns have been my experimental yarns, pushing boundaries whilst learning new techniques to develop.