Gotland wool

Pillow covers to combine with the small tapestry finished last month are progressing. Some of the yarn includes Gotland wool. The lustrous, fine fiber spins up beautifully and the knitted product is soft and drapey, yet very strong.

Tapestry (upper right) that started this series of experiments determined color choices for knitting

Yarns are hand dyed and then spun  (Gotland wool predominates)

Tunisian crochet

Must have more Gotland fleece!

Toumani Diabate

Malian musician Toumani Diabate came to Portland some time ago. He told us about the Mande Empire of West Africa, and about the traditional instruments his band members played. For most of the concert, though, audience members were on their feet dancing in spite of the constraints of old-fashioned theater seating.

That term, my art teacher asked us to use symbolism to paint a desire. I called my diptych "The Desire to Dance." This music from Mali could have made the very trees of the forest dance!

The Desire to Dance

Instruments being played, from left to right: balafon, kora, and n'goni