Plaiting on holiday

We were on holiday and I wanted something to do while on the airplane and lounging by the pool. So I had fun experimenting with different colours while I plaited some straps and cords from cotton yarn. I found the instructions for these straps in the book Time to Weave by Jane Patrick. She gives great step by step illustrations and projects to make as well.

Here is a quick summary of the instructions:

For the 8 strand cord hold 4 strands in each hand. Take an outside strand from one side. Move it under 5 and back over 2 strands. It becomes the inside strand on the same side it started from. Repeat on alternate sides. Keep alternating this movement.

For the 9 strand strap start with 4 strands in one hand and 5 in the other. Take the outside strand of the group of 5. Move it over 2 and under 2 and put it in the other hand. It becomes the inside strand of the group. Repeat with the outside strand of the group that now has 5. Keep alternating this movement.

Pebble bag

My daughter brought me back a beautiful grey and white striped pebble from her holiday. It has become the inspiration for a larger wool bag that I intend to felt. I gathered up the materials and did a little sample to start with.

Now I am in the process of warping. The sides are done ... 

...and I'm warping the ends and weaving the bottom at the  same time. The oval shape is a bit tricky at this stage, but once the bottom is complete, it should be straightforward from there.

Bags and more bags

I'm perfecting the technique and trying variations of design and colours. A few are completely finished.

I have a series of felted bags. Recyled silk from an old blouse, hand-stamped with fabric paint will be the linings for these.

There are a number of miscellaneous experiments which are woven and have the linings in process.