Temari Bits/Rag Ball from thread orts

Temari "Rag Ball"

An idea that was presented by one of the Temari Discussion Group members addressed a way to use those small lengths of thread that are left over - not quite long enough to work into a more complex design but long enough that you don't want to just toss them (called bits, orts...). Make a Temari ball reminiscent of braided rag rugs, crocheted granny squares - all those ideas that used up the bits of fabric or yarn. (With thanks to Sue H. and her Japanese teacher, Ozaki Sensei).

From Sue H.: "One of the most "fun" balls that Sensei gave me to do was one the ladies in her museum classes dubbed "Rag" design. It was "made" to utilize odd bits of thread as short as 2-3 inches (depending on the size of the ball). The simplistic design uses an 8-combination base (metallic base lines or "invisible" lines - your choice). The design itself is a basic inter-woven square - as you interweave the square, a three-sided diamond-shape is created (mitsubishi). continue to interweave the squares until the sides of all three squares that it touches meet in the center of an "under-laid" triangle-shape. For each side of a square that you stitch, anywhere on the ball, use whatever color thread comes to hand. When you "run out" of that color, start where you left off with a DIFFERENT color! Keep threads short - not more than 2-3 sides of a square. The premise is much like that of the "true" old-style braided rugs. One collected scraps of fabric from all over, and by braiding the strips, and piecing them together, one could "recycle" old fabric and make useful household items. A "rag" ball can also have a "theme" color - that is, one color that seems to dominate or "pop-out" and grab the eye. Mine happened to be a rather brilliant shade of peacock turquoise. There is also an intersecting "oval" design on 1/8th turn alternating base lines in the center openings of the square. Again, mine happened to be royal blue and a dark rusty burgundy. The interwoven "ovals" should all be of the same color combinations - not of the "bits" like the main design is made from. The variegated colors this "rag" design creates can be a real eye-catcher. Great for a "give-away" ball when you want share your work with a friends."


Here's Sue's Rag ball....	Here is a photo of a Rag (or Bits) ball done by Sarah R. - a classmate of Sue's in Tokyo. Remember that this is an example - you can use any pattern you wish to (or can dream up)

Click here to see the Album page of other Rag/Bits temari that have been made...