From Rabbit and Worm, a Belt for a Baron
This belt was spun, dyed, and woven with my hands, the fiber and dye grown on my farm.
These rabbits, CTH Cleopatra, a gold tipped steel Giant Angora doe, and CTH Rhythm of my pointed Satin Angora program were elemental in the roving of this belt of promises. The worms, the cocoons, all raised in the Barony.
In history, a dyed black turned brown in a short amount of time. A natural black is true forever, the perfect use of the rare steel Angora rabbit fiber. The belt of promises is thick, yet heavenly soft, and strong with the integrity of the silk used in weft.
The warp yarns are my white and my black roving blends, 20% BFL wool from my friend up the road with show sheep, and 80% Angora from my Giant and Satin competition breeding programs.
Warp Technique: 16wpi, chain-ply, worsted, on a SpinOlution Queen Bee
For the next belt, I will try a three-ply dk weight Angora blend. I enjoyed working with my chain-ply, but felt that my spin technique irregularities left a coarser texture in spots. The belt will have the Angora halo effect. The guard hairs and fine Angora halo tips did knot and twist together. A high twist ply in spinning of 32 to 38 twist per inch helped lock in the halo until the garment is worn. The belt will be very fluffy, in time, but firm in holding shape. The weaving tablets do not like to slide against the tiny knots. I grew my nails long to better feel and pop the halo tangles when I opened the shed. No threads broken in the 2.2m belt, two close calls.
Golden rod dyed, smells delightful.
My silk weft was a free for all. From reeling my own silk for event demos, I have bags full of short pieces of silk thread that make perfect weaving scraps. I leave in some of the gum for added durability in weaving, twisting, also known as throwing short pieces together to add strength using a drop.
This was my first letter weaving experience. I found it quick and rewarding, surprisingly easily. I will be adding words into my works more often!
His Excellency of Flaming Gryphon received his belt today during court with grace at the SCA Harvest Days event.
It has been a privilege to weave this belt. I am Philippi of Flaming Gryphon
