First of all we wanted to see how our dyed yarn turned out! Every child has chosen one jar to pull out the yarn from the dye. They look amazing!! Some colors are really bright for example the beetroot and madder. While the pickle pear looses the color while drying in the sun. We write little labels to remember the dye we used for the future.
Back inside we start with todays main topic – Bandweaving. Every child chooses one rigid heddle and starts choosing the colors of the wool they would like to use. Preparing the heddle requires mathematics to understand the amount of threads needed and also some logical thinking to imagine how the pattern will look like afterwards. We soon realise that the preparation of the heddle is a long process of counting, measuring, ordering the threads and threading in the heddle. While listening to some theory about the structure of a weaving frame.
Once prepared all the heddles we can start weaving. To do so we decide to go outside and search for a fixed point to tie the backstrap loom. In the sun we find a fence that seems perfect. Let’s start! Weaving the first centimetres of our band we slowly get a feeling for the process. Some local woman passes by and is curious about what we’re doing. After some difficulties in the beginning the bands are growing, and it’s fun!!
Time flew and we soon have to tidy up. Next week we want to continue our band but all continue to spin some wool for a further project!