Temari Pattern 99GK13
Advanced Pattern contributed by Glenna Kipp  / Download PDF file of this pattern
Spiral Sphere

Glenna found herself doing some searching on "spherical geometry" last spring, which triggere some temari patterns from her creativity. She shares one here.

Materials: 3” Styrofoam ball, Red thread wrap, Kreinik #8 Purple metallic ribbon, clear or matching fine filament, doll needle, small eye needle

1.  Wrap ball with Red thread.  Measure and divide for 8 SD with obi.  Divide each mark line between obi and pole into 4 sections.  Pin mark all points.  Push them in so the heads are flush with the mari surface.

2. With doll needle stitch end of Purple ribbon into thread wrap near NP and back out.  Remove the needle and make a knot in the end.  Gently pull the knot into the thread wrap and bury the tail. 

3. Lay the ribbon flat against the mari and form a spiral out from the NP.  With the fine filament threaded in the small eyed needle, “couch” the ribbon to the mari.  Stitch as frequently as needed to hold the ribbon in place and keep the curve.  Couching thread should NOT show against the Purple metallic ribbon.

4. Stand the pins up from the surface of the mari one circle at a time to make space for the stitching.  These circle markers will keep the spiral round.  You should make several “rounds” inside each circle of pins.

5. When you get to the bottom of the mari, try to match the spacing and angle of the end of the spiral to what you did at the NP.  Cut the ribbon about 1” beyond the length you need to complete the spiral.  Stitch it into the thread wrap to bury it.  Then complete the couching.

Glenna notes: This temari is inspired by a metal wire sphere sculpture at http://www.refsum.org/images/artworks/2001-meditations/sphere-in-use_spiral.jpg
(there is an underscore “_” between use and spiral).
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Last updated 9/2005 © From 1998 inclusive G.Thompson, Glenna Kipp