Indigo Dreams - February 2010

I've always loved indigo blues and have been intrigued for years by Rowan Denim , a yarn "that bleeds and shrinks just like blue jeans." Another yarn I've wanted to weave with is Ty Dy from Knit One Crochet Too - each coloration is an object of beauty just sitting on the shelf. Well, Denim and Ty Dy have been engaging one another in conversation over the last couple of months - as I've been contemplating a design that will use both yarns.

New Visions/Ancient Paths is the theme for Convergence 2010 and both California Fibers and Designing Weavers challenged their membership to create work that addresses this theme in some aspect. Designing Weavers decided to use the same theme as Convergence, while California Fibers came up with Myths and Meanings as the thematic title for our group show that will be displayed during the Convergence Conference.

Both indigo yarns and tie dye have such historic resonance they seem the perfect materials to explore a new direction in my own work. And of course I am using twill weaves - the only possible choice for a yarn named Denim. My fingers are stained blue and I'm loving every minute of it. I've just finished weaving several samples and am now designing the schematics for a full-scale series, working title "Indigo Dreams."