SAORI Inspired Scarf

SAORI weaving is supposed to be a free-spirit type weaving experience.  There are no patterns, there are no "directions," every cloth that is woven is supposed to be as unique as the individual that wove it...imperfections and all.  This school of weaving was developed nearly 40 years ago by Misao Jo in Osaka, Japan.  It continues today with the development of special SAORI looms that allow the artist to focus on unencumbered weaving.  However, you do not need a special loom to achieve a SAORI inspired project, any two shaft loom will do, which includes rigid heddle looms.   

I have seen many SAORI projects, and while many of them are not to my particular taste, there are quite a few that really catch my eye as something special.  I mean, there is something truly wonderful in a 100% unique fabric.  No two SAORI-styled weaves can ever look the same.  I tend to be a rule follower.  I like things organized. I like directions. I like to kind of know how something will turn out before I start.  It seemed like maybe it was time I turned my habits on their head and tried something WAY outside my comfort zone.  You know, let my spirit free.  I decided I would use three ArtYarn skeins I had from a Yarnbox Luxe in addition to a special yarn (that clearly was not as "nice" as the ArtYarns but equally special to me) that I had picked up with my mom while on vacation.  The "add-on" yarn had these fun sequins throughout that I really enjoyed but had no intention of trying to knit into anything.  It's strange I even bought the yarn, I'm not usually one for bling, but that made it even more appropriate for this project.

The four yarns I was using were all very different: a merino, a mohair, a silk blend and...um...sequins.  Ready, set, go!  I warped my loom as free-spirited as I could, making stripes of each of my yarns as I felt, none of them the same size and in no particular order.  Be free, my spirit, be free!  Part of me felt a little guilty I was using such expensive yarn for this experiment, but I hushed that voice and assured myself this was a good project worth the yarn I was using.  My spirit deserves nice yarn, right?  With the loom warped, I made myself two makeshift cardboard stick shuttles to accompany my Schacht shuttles to accommodate all four of my yarns and I was ready to go.

I want to tell you it was a wonderful, zen-filled experience weaving this scarf.  That it was a peaceful journey where I listened to my soul as I painted with yarn.  I want to tell you that, but I can't.  Don't get me wrong, I actually love the end result and the journey was enlightening, but this was probably one of the most stressful weaving projects to date.  I don't even know where to start.  Mohair is sticky.  Different yarns have different elasticity.  Sequins do not fit through the holes of a 12-dent rigid heddle reed very well.  Abrasion is a thing.  Consistent tension is a bitch.  The list is longer, but I think you get the idea.

Like I said, though, the journey was enlightening.  Imperfection is okay and even beautiful.  I leaned so much from this project I have certainly become a better weaver for it.  It will probably be a good long while before I let my spirit go again, but I am glad I did it.  Even if I had to cut each sequin off the yarn on the warp thread as I went, this scarf really reminds me that you live and learn and you should always dream big.  Because I wove this after the kiddos were in bed, and to remind me of the journey, I have decided to call this scarf "Midnight Meandering."  One of the best parts of this project was unrolling the cloth from my front roller on my loom.  It was great seeing how my weaving turned out.  I had an idea of what it was going to look like, but I did not really know how it would all look together.  I am not gifting this scarf to anyone, I am going to keep it.  It is mine...my self expression despite frustration and a reminder that sometimes we just need to let go, even if it doesn't always work out the way we want or expect-it can still be beautiful.  (And every journey really is one of a kind.)