This installation re-contextualizes my 2010 shag dress as an Egoskeleton.  It's a play on words, yes, which I pretend to shy away from but find myself going back to, hehe.

In spiritual terms the ego often refers to the over-identification with the mind and the shedding of the ego, or realizing presence, is what Hinduism refers to as enlightenment, Buddhism, the end of suffering, and some Christ followers, salvation.  This piece is about successfully shedding the ego, if only temporarily, the remains seeming not unlike an exoskeleton.

I'm really happy with this use of the shag dress.  Last year I photographed it just laying around my house and was really fond of how it looked laying face down.  The back of the weaving is interesting, so I love being able to see it too.  So, when I started brainstorming as to how I would depict the idea of the ego being shed it was obvious that this was meant to be used for it.  It's so bright and showy after all.

I'm also interested in seeing it exhibited hanging upside down from a cord, as a kind of reference to the throwing of shoes on telephone wires to commemorate victories or large life accomplishments.  Yesterday I photographed it in this way, and as per usual I favoured the detail shots.  This is one of my faves (below)

Here are some of the silk scarves I've been lovingly creating these past few weeks.  As you may be able to tell my favourite dye to work with is Brazilwood (the coral pink).  I think it's the loveliest.  My other faves are onion skin and logwood.  There are some indigo one's on their way soon, as well as some lovely yellow with osage.  

I just put a bunch up on Etsy and they're on sale until the 22nd for half off, the best price I'll ever offer these at:)  So, this is the time to get one if you've been eyeing them.

I hope you're enjoying this long weekend.  It is so nice and warm here in Montreal and is suppose to get as hot as 30 degrees tomorrow, yipeeeee.

I'm off to knit in the park.

xo Janna

Last week I joined the recent Knit City knit along with Jane Richmond's Gemini knit in a double strand of Sweetgeorgia's Silk Merino Lace in Ginger.  I wound two 100g skeins together and just look at that fat cake!

In true Vancouver style this KAL is celebrating local peeps, so the rules are:  make something either designed by a local designer or knit up in locally made yarn.  Extra points for doing both ;)

A little bit more about my project:
For me another rule was that I had to use yarn and needles in my stash since I have very few dollars these days.  So, I am compromising a bit with the shortness of my circular needles and luckily my US7 needles made the perfect 4" square so I didn't need the larger of the two needle sizes that the pattern calls for (which I don't have on hand).  I decided to knit the top part of the shirt in US5 needles though (as per the pattern) since I'm smaller up there and I read some comments about other people's Geminis being a bit loose on top.  Since my materials are stretchier than the linen/cotton that the pattern calls for I'm confident it will be the right choice.  Fingers crossed.

I'm so excited about this project, it's been a long time since I've knit something for myself.  It will be the perfect early Fall blouse.  Unless this summer in Vancouver is as chilly as last, in which case I may  be able to get away with it in August when I'm back for a visit, in the evenings for sure regardless.

I'll share more on my plans for that visit soon.

Janna