experiments with string weaving overview

 With plenty of indoor time and an increasing collection of materials comes some experimentation with a simple style of weaving. These examples are highly textured made rapidly on simple circular molds. Cores are braided or twisted cotton with cotton wrappings.

These were done fast without concern for detail or finish. The gaps exposing the cores offer a patterning (checkerboard) effect. The loose ends are left to create additional interest.

 These take on a more regular form when the process is refined and more care is taken placing the wrappings on the cores. The tight stacking creates a more disciplined finish. This lacks the exuberant raggedness of the first group but has more subtle color possibilities.

Warp cords are 3 mm cotton
Weft is a combination of ordinary dyed corn string and unwound strands of thin cotton rope

Want to see how these are made?
View the step-by-step tutorial click here.

Lightweight #18 cotton in grey, navy, and marsala red where the cord takes a very light influence from the dye bath. The pastel blending of the dye and cotton creates a pleasant color range that shares the semi-transparent effect.







design and photographs copyright 2017 

bent plastic fiber bracelets 3996

Bent plastic refers to the source of the fibers for these bracelets: a length of plastic rope used as a cushioning material between large diameter pieces of steel pipe. The rope was recovered from the construction site, cleaned, then unraveled to reveal the fibers.

The irregular shape is a result of the bent fibers distorting the naturally circular form that grommets tend to take on when made from relaxed (cotton) cord.

Here's a collection of cotton grommet bracelets.

 This one is made from pure plastic filler embedded in the rope to provide some elasticity. It's actually a thin strip of material that has been twisted into a cord like form.

Whippings are made with waxed thread.

Here is a similar collection made from beach rope.

This one is made from a piece of bright blue synthetic. You can see the "corners" where the natural distortions of the fiber cause local anomalies in the curvature.

See the collection available at WhatKnotshop



design and photographs copyright 2016

five fiber bangles from reclaimed rope 3987

This collection of handmade bracelets is constructed from reclaimed bits of rope found on ocean beaches. Ragged segments of damaged rope were deconstructed, sorted, and worked into simple grommets.

The fibers have a worn discolored and stained quality that blends together in the group. The materials are all synthetic plastics that have acquired a softer natural quality during the pounding and stress of the water and sand.

 The construction is the same as other grommets with groups of fibers twisted together in a circular form. Overlapping ends are secured with waxed cotton whipping.

Extremely lightweight.

Detail showing the mixed blue and white fiber mix and the pair of whippings that secure the loose ends.






design and photographs copyright 2016

conceptual up cycled carpet pad bracelet 3690

The use of found materials has a long tradition in both modern and traditional cultures. This series is about the formal possibilities of a throw-away material: carpet pad.

Carpet pad is itself composed of reclaimed plastic from soda bottles, containers and other sources. The variations color come from the particular mix of recycled plastics used in the batch. The rubber backing has a wonderful high-tech hexagonal pattern embossed in the surface creating a tension between the rough pad fiber and the controlled anti-skid backing.

 This first bracelet is a simple circular form made by double wrapping a rectangular strip of pad and securing the overlap with waxed nylon thread.

The tension created by the wrapping is expressed in the naturally circular form and the slightly anti-clastic shaped surface which is visible in the bottom photo.

Industrial grey with the alternating diagonal pattern contrasts with the controlled light purple hex patterned backing on the interior.

7" (178 mm) 1.4 oz (40 g)









design and photographs © copyright 2015