Now that I know the sett of the kaftan cloth based on my sampling, in order to start winding the warp and to figure out how much dyed yarn the project will require, its time to recalculate my yarn needs. To see my previous estimate, go here. I’ve chosen wool as the fiber for the Kaftan fabric, and the yarn I have selected is a 20/2 lace weight worsted wool made by Jaggerspun called Maine…
Since I last posted, I did several samples for the kaftan cloth and I think I’ve settled on a sett. (Hur, hur. Weaving humor at its finest.) The winner is at the top in the picture at right. Its a pretty balanced weave. 30 ends per inch. From the bottom – the samples: 24 ends per inch, single weft with a solid beat. In the middle, same epi, but with a doubled weft. above that…
The last few days have been more about life and less about projects. I am chafing at the disruptions. I finally downloaded some free weaving software so I can draft without graph paper. The program I’m using is called WeaveDesign. It’s an easy program to use and has made fiddling with the draft for the fabric of the magyar kaftan much easier. I’ve settled on an 8 shaft draft in order to get the look…
Last night, a friend brought her big brain over to my house and applied it to translating the German text in Die Graber der Moscevaja Balka edited by Anna A. lerusalimskaja . It was too much to translate all at once. She said she will give me the next part later. Here is what she has given me so far as it relates to the inspiration fabric for the Magyar kaftan: Pg 152 #155 Man’s Kaftan…
Kaftan fabric weave I believe I landed on a point twill draft for the fabric for the magyar kaftan I will be creating. It is not a reconstruction of a period draft, rather it is a design that approximates the look and feel of an extant piece within the constraints of my abilities and the limitations of my equipment.
View of the loom Saturday morning. Saturday was a productive day, though everything that was done was not actually on my list yet. I also struggled throughout the day with shoulder and back pain so there was more napping during the day than originally intended. Still, I’m pleased with progress on the list. Sewing room excavated. – Check! Shaggy pile weave – Worked on! Plan kaftan fabric project – Started! Weaving task list – Thinking…
Not a whole lot of progress this evening due to the need to meet with friends and plan excursions for the upcoming Carribean cruise. I did manage to upload about 20 additional images to shoe gallery but I haven’t had time to cite them yet. The new images are from Scythian and Altaic grave finds and are there to provide additional context and examples of steppes nomadic footwear. At right is the pail o’ indigo as it…
