New Textiles 2011

Plug-in Yarn

During the spinning class with Kanjun, I experimented with spinning different fibers such as cotton, hemp, bamboo and aluminum. Over the weekend, while doing research for my thesis, I became inspired by Archigram’s plug-in work ( i.e. Plug-in Capsule Home, Montreal Tower, Plug-in City, University Node, Gasket Homes and Plug-in Clip) and I created a plug-in yarn.

Kanjun’s Spinning Workshop

Below is the work I did during Kanjun’s spinning class.

Bamboo and Aluminum fibers that I spun into 2 ply yarn

Making 2ply yarn from Bamboo and Aluminum

Other various yarns that I spun during Kanjun's spinning workshop

Bamboo Fiber

Hemp + Cotton Fibers

Bamboo + Aluminum Fibers

Yarn Specs:

Bamboo Fiber:   0.25″ / 18″ / 2 ply / 3.5″ / Clockwise / 4 /  not conductive

Hemp + Cotton Fibers:  .667″  / 27.5″ / 2 ply / clockwise / 4.5 / not conductive

Bamboo + Aluminum Fibers: .667″ / 74″ /2 ply / clockwise / 3 / ?? will measure in class

Plug-in Yarn

Initially, I planned to create a circuit yarn that had LED lights with flowers crocheted around the light.

Then, with inspiration from Archigram, I thought it’d be better if other components could later be attached. I thought of designating positive and negative wires with beads and that one wire should be insulated to lessen the chances of the + & – contacting and shorting the circuit.

From my previous experience of working with Aluminum fiber, I pre-drafted it for easier spinning.

Drafted aluminum fiber

Spinning Aluminum Fiber

I taped the ends of my fibers for easier braiding. Below, I’m using an aluminum fiber for the positive charge and a copper insulated wire I found in a bead shop at Harvard square for the negative charge. The other fibers are old strands I had in my yarn collection that I previously used for embroidery. I added some beads for the negative wire to show places on the wire where additional components (i.e. LED light) could be added – though, they could be added anywhere.

Plug-in Yarn prep

To prevent tangles during braiding, I looped some material and at the end of the copper-insulated wire, I created another loop to prevent the beads from falling off during braiding.

FYI

The finished product. After braiding, I added a LED light near a bead. I also had another LED at the end of the yarn and this flickered for a few moments and then it never flickered again. I think that this may be caused by the aluminum fibers as they tend to spread everywhere and may be causing some short circuiting.

Plug-in Yarn Close-up

Plug-in Yarn close-up

Yarn Specs:

Aluminum fiber + embroidery fibers + copper insulated wire: .667″ / 79″ / 7 ply / braided – both counter and clockwise twist? / 3 braids per inch / ?? will be measure conductivity in class.