Muka is Magnificent

It has taken months, but I am finally beginning to gain some control over my weaving space again.  I still have to turn my back and try to ignore the invasion of other people things.  But it has been far too long and I miss the peace and serenity I find working with harakeke.
So today I turned on the music and pretended it was just my space.

 

I had already prepared several hundred muka whenu last year.  I wasn’t sure exactly how many, but at the end of today I did a tally and was delighted to discover that I had 620 whenu.

This morning most were still twisted as whiri whenu, waiting for me to soak them in water and then use the patu muka to beat the water out.

 

 

By the end of the day they were hanging to dry and looking very inviting.

Others have already been through that part of the process.

The next step is to komuri, to soften the fibers further.  It produces a soft, silky, wavy thread that slips through the fingers like silk.  

 

It is a lovely feeling.

 

 

I know I should make sure I have everything ready before I start that first aho but I am eager to begin.  I have to keep reminding myself that I have been designing this in my head and on scraps of paper for a long time now and a just a little more patience and preparation will make weaving a smoother, easier experience.

The ‘design’ incorporates feathers.  I have lots of feathers ready, but I need to double check and do a count up of those now too.

This kakahu has been in the planning pipeline for 5 years.  It was going to be completed so that our grandchildren could have their photo taken wearing it on their 5th birthday.    We now have nine  and our first mokopuna just celebrated his 9th birthday.  I will have it completed so that he can have his photo taken wearing it on his 10th birthday.