The application required a project proposal for the Icelandic Textile Center residency. I applied the beginning of November, and at the time all I could think of was the northern lights or aurora borealis. Mister and I went to Iceland December 2014 and were were lucky to see the lights three nights during our trip. It was the most magical experience! I wove a table runner inspired by the northern lights, and a friend even knit a hat for me using aurora colors.
Here is my project proposal:
I have been fascinated with the aurora borealis for many years since I first visited Iceland. The colors of these northern lights have inspired some of my weavings. For my project at the residency, I will weave, and dye cloth inspired by this natural phenomenon. I would also like to explore felting pieces using handwoven cloth and natural dyed roving.
I have modified what I will work on. Here are my planned projects:
Weave a varafeldur on a countermarch floor loom. It’s woven with wool yarn and wool fleece using the Icelandic rya knot. Traditionally it was worn like a shawl. but I will make mine into a wall hanging. The loom studio at the Textile Center has several floor looms. I’ve never actually used one before so I am very nervous about this! I hope other resident artists can help me if I run into issues.
I purchased Suffolk worsted wool yarn from Mountain Meadow Wool in Wyoming. I used this same yarn to weave a rug for my mom last year. I also purchased three raw wool fleeces from Cowgirl Yarn. They sell the fleece of Icelandic sheep living in Wyoming. I also bought a wool carder, a mesh laundry bag, and a potato masher to help with washing and prepping the fleece. I will write another post showing my fleece skirting and washing adventure.
Dye yarn and handwoven fabric. I purchased a natural dye kit and an indigo dye kit from Maiwa. I bought mini yarn skeins from Wool2Dye4 that I will dye. I also plan on taking my Spark Rigid Heddle Loom (a 4″ Beka loom designed by Amy D. McKnight) to weave strips of handwoven cloth to dye. I wove an apron and dyed the cloth at home. I look forward to using a proper dye studio!
Experiment with the felting loom. The Textile Center has a felting loom. I have wool roving in several northern lights colors and I want to felt into some of my scrap handwoven cloth. I would love to see if I can make some mini northern lights portraits.
Stump Work Embroidery. I purchased a pattern for a Fly Agaric mushroom from Lemon Pepper Studio. I look forward to dedicating time to creating a 3D embroidered shroom!
Hand felted sheep. A few years ago I bought a felted alpaca kit. If I have time, I’ll try to make the kit into a felted sheep using some of the wool fleece I bought.
I will also take some unfinished embroideries with me and will work on those, too!