Dragon and Phoenix

IT'S FINISHED!

I've named it 'THE WINKING DRAGON'

It is a re-creation of a 15th Century Anatolian Dragon and Phoenix carpet.

It is woven in 7 colours using the ghiordes (symmetrical) knot at 122 knots to the square inch. It measures 42" wide x 80" long.

These handknotted slippers were made as an entry for the textile competition organised by the Costume and Textile Association for the Norfolk Museum in 2001 with the theme Eastern Inspirations.

They were awarded Highly Commended.

They were made using traditional tools and spindle spun, natural dyed woollen yarns from Iran. Knotting techniques have not changed for centuries. The Turkish or Ghiordes knot as used all over the rug making world was used to make the slippers with a traditional flower design from the Caucasus.

Leatherwork by Ian Stevens of Cambridge.

Slippers are displayed on a Turkoman Bagface

890 warp ends.

Each ghiordes knot over 2 warp ends. 445 knots per row.

787 rows at approximately 2 hours per row.

1574 hours work approximately.

350,215 knots in total

OTHER FINISHED PIECES

“CARPET COMFORT”

These silk slippers were such fun to weave. Again the ghiordes knot was used but this time with 17 knots to the inch. The starting point for the design was the 'wheel of fortune' which I developed into this abstract pattern. The design in naturally-dyed silk in madder and cochineal was outlined in indigo. I was fortunate to find a shoe-making course at the Prescott & Mackay School of Fashion and Accessory Design where, under the guidance of Chau Har Lee, I was able to make them up. She was a very generous and encouraging tutor.

“SILK EVENING SLIPPERS”

WORK IN PROGRESS

“THE RIVER RUG”