Coming back from my Korowai poroporoaki, my phone rang – it was Crafted, a artist co-op gallery, wondering if I would be a guest artist for a month. For some reason I agreed and was booked in for mid-December to mid-January.
Plenty of time for me to get enough kete made to fill the space, right?
Here is the exhibition
Earlier in the year a Facebook event came across my screen – Korowai Weaving Workshop. I have always wanted to make a korowai, but had never got past the research and talking about it phase. The workshop was to be held over 3 consecutive weekends, in Christchurch, over 300km away. After going back and forward in my mind on whether i should go or not, I talked to hubby who told me to book in and go.
The workshop was run by Whaea Rae,
He Taonga Tuku Iho. There were 10 other lovely ladies learning alongside me.
The first weekend was building our weaving frame, preparing our whenu, learning stiches, and how to add fearhers. Our homework was to finish 4 rows of feathers.
Second weekend was learning framing, whariki and taniko. Then finishing them for homework.
Final weekend was finishings on Saturday and poroporoaki. How to cast off, line and making the tie with tassels.
I have always loved reusable bags. Now that New Zealand has banned single use plastic bags, everyone has a need for their own bag.
While at a Flax Weaving Wananga, at Waihao Marae, there was a discussion about who would have the best looking grocery bags in Waimate (us weavers, of course), and I started thinking about the “perfect” shopping bag and what features it would have.
My list was:
Next I went found every fabric bag I already had, and ranked them, most usable size, strap length etc. This one was the winner, and my size starting place.
After looking at my weaving pattern books, I decided to start with the Mick Pendergrast’s Bucket Kit, from the book Te Mahi Kete.
But I wanted 2 colours and patterns, so I made a proof of concept small gift bag from short lengths.
Next came prototype 1. I didn’t allow for the pattern stretch/sag so it came out too wide and a little short, but I loved the handles and how strong it feels.
Then prototype 2. Love it, will be making more, but what if I put a shoulder strap on it. . .
Prototype 3. Tried with the whiri on the outside of the bag, I will keep making them on the inside.
I love trying new weaving patterns and saw something similar in the background of a photo. this was also my first time calculating the pattern by how much weave-able length I had.
Not too bad, if I do say so myself.
Now to write up some instructions for some of the other weavers in our group.
The weekend after Easter, at a weaving workshop at Waihao Marae, taught by Sally of Sallys Harakeke Creations. I started my first kete whakairo.
I harvested my flax from a neighbor’s hedgerow. Sized it to 10mm wide, boiled and dyed half dark purple.
Choose a pattern number 66, from Raranga by Mick Pendergrast, and started weaving.
I almost finished the kete over the weekend wananga.
When I got home other things took priority and it sat untouched for a couple of weeks. But now here it is finished and will soon be with my MIL to enjoy.
After joining a Living History Knits group on Facebook, I “attended” one of their events to knit a sontag. The pattern I used is based on a pattern printed in January 1860 Godey’s, by Colleen Formby (TRANSLATED SONTAG PATTERN by Colleen Formby, copyright 2006).
I found a 100% wool jersey in a local op-shop for $5. The light oatmeal colour appealed to me as something I could easily dye.
After I washed it and unpicked the side seams, I discovered it frogged beautifully and decided to knit straight from it, the same way you would knit from a sock blank.
Once I finally finished knitting the main part of the sontag, I decided it needed to be dyed red.
I found the knitted edging hard and opted for an easy crochet edge.
Now to figure out matching head-wear.
Over the past few months I have been fortunate to be able to attend a few classes run by Sally of Sallys Harakeke Creations
So far this is what I have made
Our Historical Dance group put on a High Tea (instead of a ball) this year.
I took on organising the kitchen and programs. My amazing dad poured the tea, washed dishes and generally looked after the kitchen while we danced.
I made three types of vegan biscuits; lavender shortbread, lemon poppy seed cookies, and hedgehogs.
Recipes can be found:
I also had a go at making sugar cubes, it’s a lot easier than I expected. I followed this recipe from the view from great island. I used caster sugar and mixed the water in with a fork.
The dance programs were based on this tutorial by Aylee.
I set up a template in InDesign and managed to fit two to a page. Then hubby and I spent an evening cutting and assembling them.
Overall a great afternoon was had by all.
I changed my desk around at work and got pretty deleted books from the library to use as screen raisers.
Thanks for joining me!
I’m starting this space to keep track of what I have done, when I’ve done it and so I can see my progress. Sometimes its hard to gauge how far you have come and how much improvement has happened if you don’t have a record of where you started.
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
Helen Strachan Creates 