In weaving, as in life, is can be tempting to make things much more complex than they need to be. At least for me. I find keeping things simple can get a little boring. Why do the simple thing when you can do the much more complicated thing? This philosophy has been the primary contributor to numerous unfinished projects in my life. The thing about complicated though, is that as you progress, the complexity can grow exponentially. Especially if you are just working from ideas in your head! It’s taken a long time, but I’m beginning to learn that sometimes, the simplest thing is really the best.

Each summer Interweave puts out a call for submissions for Little Looms, a special edition of Handwoven and a magazine especially for rigid heddle, inkle and pin looms. I’ve submitted a number of pieces and have had three pieces accepted. When I choose which pieces to submit, I think about the complexity of the project. Not because I want to show off but because I want to show what a rigid heddle can do and encourage people push the limits. I was very surprised and pleased to see my Mermaid Wrap on the front cover. Particularly as its’ submission was an after thought.

This past summer I sent in a double weave blanket, a log cabin scarf, a twill poncho and a 3/1 lace checkered scarf. All are rather complex patterns. As I said, submitting the Mermaid Wrap was really an after thought. I love the scarf, it is so beautiful but, I thought, too simple! I didn’t do anything; the yarn did all the work. I was convinced to send it in after seeing the cover of the Handwoven May/June 2018 edition. The front cover features a gorgeous travel wrap by Debra Jarchow…in plain weave. So simple yet so gorgeous. So, I sent it in and was pleasantly surprised when it was chosen (along with my Classy scarf with 3/1 lace).

Lesson: just like people, yarns have voices and personalities. Some yarns want to fade into the background and are happy to let the pattern, texture or another yarn shine. Other yarns have a big personality. They want (or need) to be the centre of attention. This is shown so well in these two patterns. In the classy scarf, the Sabri yarn by Illimani, is lovely. It has an incredible drape but is understated. The texture draws the eye more than the yarn itself. Sabri is a quietly confident yarn, quite content to be the supporting actor to lace. Handmaiden’s Maiden Hair on the other hand, draws every eye as soon as it walks into the room. Trying to pair it with another attention seeker would be disaster!

In a way, a weaver is like a movie director with the yarn as characters. Our job is to cast the right characters and show them to their best advantage so that even complicated looks simple. Sometimes we must be quiet and let the yarn speak.

Keeping Things Simple