PDX Profile: Linda Hendrickson, Ply-Split Braider and Tablet Weaver

. . . Do you know what ply-split braiding and tablet weaving are? Well, never fear, because this week we're meeting Linda Hendrickson, who's an expert in both. She works and teaches from her studio in Laurelhurst. In fact, you can meet her at her studio during the Laurelhurst Art Walk on May 12.
----------------------------------

Tell us a bit about the arts of ply-split braiding and tablet-weaving.
I have an extensive web site which is devoted to both of these techniques, with lots of photos and descriptions of historical pieces and my own work. Both techniques are quite old, with tremendous creative potential. They are still not very well known, however, even in the weaving community.

Ply-split braiding is a tradition from the desert between India and Pakistan, where men spin goat hair, ply it into thick cords, and make sturdy girths, carrying straps, bags, and neck decorations for their camels. The fabric is made by pulling cords through the plies of other cords. The girths in particular feature an amazing variety of geometric and pictorial designs.

Tablet weaving is an ancient technique used to create strong, narrow decorative bands and seamless tubes. It is at least 2,500 years old, and has been practiced in widely-scattered parts of Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa.

What kinds of things are made with these techniques?
When I first started tablet weaving, in the early 1990s, I made a lot of tubular jewelry, and I did a book and video about that. My interest now is tablet-woven calligraphy. I self-published a book that features graphs for weaving letters based on six historic scripts and fonts. I especially enjoy weaving altar pieces or bands with meaningful inscriptions.

With the ply-splitting, I have also made some jewelry, and now am focusing on using the technique for making baskets and rugs. My husband and I are in the final stages of making an instructional DVD on how to make a ply-split garlic basket using commercially-made paper cord.

How did you come to learn these techniques?
My introduction to the world of handweaving was at Ruthie's Weaving Studio here in Portland in 1984, where I learned to weave on a floor loom. I taught myself tablet weaving from books, and my introduction to ply-splitting was through a workshop with Peter Collingwood sponsored by the Portland Handweavers Guild, held at the Oregon School of Arts and Crafts in 1992. Most of what I know about both techniques is from reading books, practicing, and experimenting. There are also two organizations that have been helpful, TWIST (Tablet Weavers' International Studies and Techniques) and The Braid Society. Both of these have Internet discussion groups and a journal. It's great to be able to communicate with people in many parts of the world who share the same interests.

Will you tell us a bit about your studio?
My studio occupies the entire second floor of our home. My husband converted an unfinished attic into this beautiful space, which has skylights, a ceiling which reaches 16 feet high, and the original wood floors. It is full of colorful yarn, examples of my work since the 1980s, and textiles that I've collected from around the world. I love working and teaching in my studio, and I also have various projects in progress in most of the other rooms of the house!

How would you define the difference between "Art" and "Craft?"
I don't spend much time worrying about that. I just love using simple tools and my own hands to turn linear elements such as yarn, wire, fishing line, paper, and so on into beautiful textiles and baskets.

What is your favorite creative spot in Portland?
I love Contemporary Crafts Museum and Gallery, and am very excited about their upcoming move to the old Daisy Kingdom building in the Pearl District. They will have twice the space, and are changing their name to The Museum of Contemporary Craft. I recently attended a meeting at Contemporary Crafts in which they brought together representatives from Portland guilds, and brainstormed ideas for working together more closely in the future. I'm looking forward to being involved.