Monk's Belt Handwoven Throws and Runners

This throw was patterned after a beautiful throw from the late 18th to 19th century.  It was made in a Monk's Belt weave using a Kentucky variation.  Our throw is made from natural white and brown Romney wool.  The blue is hand dyed.  Handwoven at a local mill.  Hand wash and air dry or dry clean.  Also available in a runner size.

Tassar silk on cheesecloth

Waejong did some embroidery for a TV commercial the other day.  She used Tassar Silk from Japan on cotton cheesecloth. 

Ernesto Neto Exhibition at Tanya Bonakdar Gallery

We managed to see the show on the last day - May 25th.  It was AMAZING.  So inspiring. 

From the gallery's press release:

Ernesto Neto

14 Apr 2012 - 25 May 2012

For his exhibition Slow iis goood, Ernesto Neto presents a series of vibrantly colored installations of crocheted polypropylene and polyester cord that hang from the ceiling, hovering several feet above the ground. These new works continue Neto’s practice of using gravity, weight, and tension to dictate form as plastic balls in different shades provide a counterweight for the crocheted sheets. Stretching the crocheted membranes taught, the balls form a floor for the labyrinthine, tunnel-like structures of alluring color and inviting texture that the gallery visitor is meant to enter and explore.  Crochet has become an important part of Neto’s formal vocabulary over the last two years, and the artist has translated this craft traditionally done by women on a small, delicate scale to structures of massive proportions. The basic units of crochet, string and knots, serve as Neto’s paint and his paintbrush, with the gallery as his canvas. Like giant paintings that the visitor is invited to climb into and move through, the installations provide an opportunity to experience the gallery space from the inside of the artwork itself. Looking out through a screen of colors—oranges and grays, greens and purples, blues and yellows—the viewer’s perspective is reoriented, as the boundary between artwork and visitor is blurred. While breaking down the barriers between installation and viewer, these new works simultaneously propose a change in our relationship to time. By lifting us off the ground, to float between the floor and the ceiling, Neto offers us a space in which we can slow down, breathe, and rest.  Although these are spaces meant for relaxation, they are created through a meticulous, labor intensive process. Each element is hand crocheted from multicolored strings that the artist combines from a wide-ranging spectrum of threads. The intense, subtle, and sophisticated juxtapositions of color that Neto chooses are then woven together into a single strand, and knotted into circular units that combine to become the walls of the sculptures. The irregular circles of crochet that compose the nets simultaneously resemble cells seen through a microscope, and a network of constellations unfurled across the sky. Here, the inside and the outside universe are represented in the same form, demonstrating the interconnectivity of life. Not only do the works resemble and reference natural, organic matter, they also incorporate it: the installation in the main space upstairs includes, stones, plants, and spices. These natural materials serve as a kind of landscape for the main structure of the installation, which itself resembles an amoeba-like animal floating in space. The fusion of figure and ground, or animal and landscape, is a central part of Neto’s practice. Just as his work blurs the boundary between artwork and viewer, inviting the visitor to inhabit and experience it on a visceral, primal level, it also draws no distinction between types of life—we are all a part of the natural world. Neto’s opening at the gallery will be followed by a solo presentation at the Nasher Scultpure Center in Dallas, opening May 11 and on view through September 9.

Show some love to your walls with these amazing vintage needlepoint works of art that are now featured at the store! Each is one-of-a-kind made by hand and is framed by an embellished had crafted wooden frame. These are collectible treasures! $325 each.

Muhu Island Textiles

"Designs and patterns from Muhu Island:  A Needlework Tradition from Estonia" by Anu Kabur, Anu Pink, Mai Meriste.  We are so happy to have this hard to find book in stock again.  It's a must for anyone who is as obsessed with textiles as we are.  Over 380 pages full of history, illustrations, charts and photographs of knitting, crocheting, lace and embroidery.  This is the book that you will treasure and enjoy for many years.  Available at Loopy Mango $130.

Inspiration: Dana Barnes

We are so taken by the work of talented textile artist Dana Barnes. Her creations exhibit a modern take on traditional artisan techniques. We love the way she works with natural fibers to create brilliant works of art, influenced by her identity and interaction with people and culture. We love Dana Barnes' work so much, we pinned our favorite pieces on our Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/loopymango/
)!

We also just started tumbling, so visit and tumble along with us on our knitting tumblog adventure - http://loopymango.tumblr.com/

You can bet we'll be continuing to post cool knitting stuff from Loopy including class info and new yarns, plus all that inspires us! ♥

Our blogspot will still be here, and focusing on home goods and everything else Loopy Mango-wise!