In November there was Tinkuy de Tejedores (a gathering of weavers) in Peru. I would love to have gone, but it was not in the cards. The pre-Columbian weaving that is still being done in the highlands of Peru is incredible. No one should ever underestimate the ancestors.
Trying to learn a little about this weaving, I found an article by Doramay Keasbey in a Handwoven magazine from January/February 2000 that explained how to do pick up weave on a floor loom (instead of the backstrap loom commonly used by Peruvian weavers). I put on a long
warp and started weaving bookmarks.
Intrigued by this complex pick-up weave, I contacted Laverne Waddington, who lives in Bolivia and has first-hand experience with weavers who live in the Andes. She has recently published an e-book through Weavezine on Andean Pebble Weave. Her comments can be seen on my website http://abovefault.net/ I have purchased her book and I think I see a backstrap loom in my future and further exploration of this and other pick up weaves.
I just received the most recent Handwoven magazine (January/February 2011) with articles by both Doramay and Laverne on pick up weaves. Thanks to both of them for giving me this new window into the weaving world and an admiration for what can and has been done. It is both exhilirating and humbling. Too much to do, too little time!
Thanks for this pictures of progress! This is a thing I want to try too! The bookmarks are beautiful and i love the two greens!
Kristina
By your detailed post and photos, it is evident you enjoyed this project immensely! I can't tell you how much I appreciate your taking the time to document this for us, so we get a chance to "look over your shoulder" while weaving. Thank you so much! (Spectacular Results! - all of you make this weave structure look so easy to execute.)
Thank you for your comments. I am hoping I can soon try Laverne's backstrap pebble weave to see how it differs from Doramay's version in Handwoven. This was a fun project. The pattern for both the floor loom and backstrap versions has the advantage of having a pick-up that you only have to do on every other row. I would encourage you to try it. For me it weaves up fast because I am so intrigued with creating the pattern that time stands still. I will look forward to seeing what you do with this weave.
These bookmarks are beautiful. I am interested to see if there are differences in the pebble weave versions.
I was excited to see another version of these bookmarks posted here (and on Facebook). A worthwhile project for holiday gift giving--and there is still plenty of time. http://weavolution.com/project/kendrick4...
I just saw these again, wonderful! I'm ready to do some. I went to Peru about three years ago and was blown away by the complex designs on such simple looms. But there isn't really isn't anything simple about it!
I've been inspired. I love your bookmarks!
