From Milkweed to Silkwild:
Weaving a Cocoon
From Milkweed to Silkwild:
Weaving a Cocoon
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Weaving a Cocoon
is an exploration of using Milkweed Floss to create wearable textile art. Following the lead of Monarch Butterflies and Milkweed Tussock Moths, I will incorporate wild Milkweed floss into handspun yarn to be woven into a wearable Cocoon Shawl. Milkweed is both a familiar and a unique fiber source in Washington County - growing wildly and abundantly with deep connections to other plants and animals. Milkweed is the only food source for Monarch Butterflies - once abundant in our area, now they are threatened. Milkweed also provides habitat and shelter to a huge array of insects and animals. They create a mini-ecosystem and contribute to soil health as well. I will distribute Milkweed seeds as part of this project to encourage local revitalization of this essential plant. I will also share my interactions with Milkweed and my experience of crafting the coziest of creations with the wider community.
PROJECT UPDATES
PROJECT UPDATES
October 2025 - Opening Night!
I am pleased to share that the cocoon cape is now on display at the Historic Salem Courthouse in Salem, NY.
Opening night was a pleasure! It was a wonderful opportunity to share and discuss the project with all who attended.
The exhibit showcases the work of five fiber artists, with pieces ranging from weavings, rugs, knit sweaters, sewing, quilts, and hairpin lace crochet. It's quite a collection!
As part of my display, I showcased photography of Monarch Butterflies and other pollinators by local artist Kristina Martin. Photos of the Llama named Halo, who contributed to the yarn, are also on display. Displays and take-home handouts about my process and the project are also available.
October 2025
The start of this month has brought on a flurry of activity: finishing the cocoon shrug, designing the display, and marketing for the exhibition! The shrug will be exhibited at the Historic Salem Courthouse on October 10th with an opening reception from 5:00-7:30 pm. It will then remain on display throughout the month.
When I proposed the project in 2024, I had always envisioned helping to distribute Milkwild seeds in the local area. Last year I attended a talk on the history of the seed industry in Cambridge, NY, and learned that we have a seed packet printing company right her in town. I approached them over the summer about a small-batch printing, and they were able to take on the job!
So, I have been up late nights stuffing packets with Milkwild seeds (fluff attached) to both advertise the event and get seeds out into people's hands for spreading! We call it 'Feeding two birds with one cone'. The resulting packets look very nice. I have been dropping them off around at my favorite spots: local libraries, cafes, and shops. I hope you have a chance to grab one!
The opening is one week away! I am so excited to share this work!
September 2025
The summer - and indeed the year have passed swiftly. In that time, I have upgraded supplies and equipment and improved my blending and spinning abilities in working with Milkwild. I made 5 skeins of blended Milkwild and Llama yarn in white to weave into a cocoon shrug. Some of this I spun at the local farmers market - an experience I hope to continue in the future. I sampled quite a few different weaving patterns and settled on a Bronson Spot Lace variation. It seemed to me light, cozy, weblike...and would be able to better showcase the yarn than a twill or plain weave. Now my work is mostly weaving and then I will sew and work on getting my display and communication together for October. I am creating seed packets to distribute Milkwild - now is the time!
March 2025
I am delighted to share that my project 'From Milkweed to Silkweed' was selected for the 2025 LARAC Individual Artist Grant! This summer I am hand-spinning and handweaving locally harvested Milkwild floss to create a cozy cocoon shawl.
My personal relationship with Milkwild started in the 1st grade when we planted a butterfly garden at my elementary school. And I have been watching and learning since - interactions dotting different parts of my life. Once I was weaving and spinning yarn, I began asking if I could incorporate the silky floss as a life-friendly alternative to silk.
It is easy to fall in love with Milkwild's intricate flowers, sweet perfume, hardy leaves and stalk, and the featherlight floss that carries seeds for miles around. They are a generous plant that shelters and feeds hundreds of insects - including Monarch Butterflies.
This year Monarch Butterflies were proposed to be added as a threatened species to the Endangered Species Act. The Milkwild plant is their host and important for their annual migration journey across the continent.
It is my wish that this project shares how Milkwild is essential to our landscape and inherently useful. That we can strengthen our connection to plants that are wild-growing and locally adapted to craft useful and beautiful items..and that we should encourage them to grow wherever they see fit. My hope is that we can see this wonderous plant from a 'Weed' to a 'Need'.
Thank you @larac_arts for the opportunity! I'm looking forward to sharing my work with you all.
This project is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts Statewide Community Regrant Program, administered locally by the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council, with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
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