While we wait

Having finished my scarf in record time and finding it admired despite the mistakes, and as if I haven't got enough to do, I'm planning my next project. If a buyer for the house materialises, well, they'll just have to take their turn!

Some time ago, I treated myself to a book by Elizabeth Wayland Barber, called "Women's Work". This is a book that investigates the use and develolpment of textiles from prehistoric times to the recent past and is a very good read. Among other things, she describes the use of magic numbers in various woven items and how these can be used to enhance the effect of light on the cloth. She talks about weaving with alternating groups of singles threads which are z and s spun and how this must have had some significance to the people who made them which is now lost to us. This fascinates me because I realise just how much  work is involved in planning a project and  brings home to me how much our prehistoric ancestors knew that perhaps we have forgotten.

I haven't woven with singles yarn before, let alone hand spun singles, but in my usual bull at a gate fashion, I'm going to have a go. I'm not sure whether I will be able to incorporate magic numbers as well, but we'll see.

For now, I'm starting with some lovely Tussah silk sliver from Adelaide Walker and I will need to find a way of ensuring that I spin to a consistent thickness, but also make the twist high enough to withstand the hammering it will get during the weaving process. But before I can start, I will have to work out how wide my piece will be, how many ends per inch there will be and how much yarn I will need in z spun and s spun. So in effect, I will need to plan the warp before I've even started spinning and then work out the number of wraps per inch my yarn will need to be. Having made the mistake previously of having more threads than there were heddles I'm not making that mistake again. I hope!

Should I play safe and use wool to start with? Well, wool is a wonderful fibre, but unlike my prehistoric sisters, I am much more free to choose which fibre I want to use and I love the look and feel of silk. Also, I think that it might have a more dramatic effect and that there will be more contrast between the two singles.

That's the theory anyway. Photos to follow in due course!