Amber Kane: Paro: Handwoven scarf of many Colors

From spring scarves 2012

Scarf Stats:

Name: Paro

Material: cotton

Watched: The good Wife Season 2 disc 1

The Good Wife Season 2 Disc 2

1/2 of Castle Season 2 Disc 1

Since the scarf was inspired by a peacock pattern I did some research on Peacocks. I found out that the group name of the Peacock is Party. I loved this, it seemed to be perfect for this scarf for several reasons. 1. this scarf would be perfect to wear to a party
2. It's new owner finds a way to bring so much laughter to a Pilate's class that you might be tricked into thinking that you're at a party
3. All of the ends of yarn that I trimmed laying on my floor looked like a wonderful explosion of confetti.

A repeat customer came to me with this lovely notebook to use as inspiration for her next scarf. I was pretty excited about the colors in this piece, but didn't want to jump right into it. I like to give ideas a few days to roll around in my head, to really see what they can come up with. I started thinking about doing a tapestry style piece. I've thought of doing one before, and then always shied away from the challenge being afraid that I would fail.

From spring scarves 2012

So I decided to start the scarf making process and try to be open to where it took me, even if that ended up being tapestry. I went through my shelves of yarn and pulled colors that I thought went will with the inspiration piece, but also that I thought would compliment each other well when woven together. Since colors overlap and interact with each other in weaving, I have to think about them a bit differently than if it were a painting.

From spring scarves 2012

I did some research about tapestry, but was still a bit nervous. I instead decided to work with a different weaving pattern than what I"m used to . I was going to weave with several colors, but this scarf seemed to be telling me that it just wanted me to weave with the gold yarn.

From spring scarves 2012

I was really happy with how this piece was working, and loved the pattern. However, there was still this nagging voice in my head about getting over my fear and trying a tapestry. I knew that I had no choice the next scarf was going to have to have some tapestry work in it. But I must say I felt more comfortable about it ,because I knew that this scarf was a success. It gave me comfort and confidence to push forward, also reminding me that it really wasn't a big deal if the next piece didn't turn out right. I"m not perfect, my work isn't always perfect, and that's okay. I have to tell myself that over and over. Creating for me is personal on such a deep level, it is always a battle of being true to myself, confronting fears of failure and rejection, and of pushing myself forward.