The Bristol Blanket

It’s a Bristol thing……

Inspired by Bristol and woven in partnership with Bristol Weaving Mill.

The Bristol Blanket. Photo: Article Studio

In the Spring of 2020, like many people, I reshuffled my life and business to fit with the changing shape of living through a pandemic. Planned teaching and usual selling opportunities had slipped away and I had to find a different way to sustain my business and reach my customers, (as well as the added bonus of being a less than adequate home school teacher to our three children).

It was an interesting and sometimes challenging transition, but one that I’m thankful for, especially in light of so many livelihoods that simply don’t have the option of adapting to fit new regulations. And out of this shake-up came the opportunity to action a plan that had been waiting in the wings for the right moment. Enter stage right: The Bristol Blanket

The decision to produce the blanket with Bristol Weaving Mill wasn’t really a decision at all on my part. As I saw my handwoven designs, inspired by the Bristol houses, develop on my sampling loom and in my sketchbooks, it became obvious who I had to work with on this project. Click on the links to read more about the production journey and the inspiration in these additional blog posts.

Bristol Weaving Mill.

I’ve continued to weave a limited number of commissioned rugs and art panels throughout the year and was also able to weave the capsule collection, pictured below, to support the new blanket design. In the midst of so much uncertainty in the news, the sessions at the loom were refreshingly grounding and I never take for granted that half my job is to focus on the calming rhythmic process of weaving. That said, it’s been quite full-on, and seeing this project come together during the photo-shoot with the superb Article Studio was quite a momentous day after months of planning.

The Bristol Blanket Collection. Photo: Article Studio Furniture: Timberwoolf

Five feel-good things I’d like you to know about The Bristol Blanket

The design is inspired by Bristol’s colourful houses, which brightened up our daily walks during the lockdown in the Spring. Read more here

It is woven in partnership with Bristol Weaving Mill. A renowned micro mill in the heart of my home city of Bristol, specialising n innovative design. Read more here


The optimistic colours in this sumptuous 100% lambswool blanket are designed to lift your spirits and bring warmth and joy to your home, and it is so soft. (I provide samples for those who prefer to feel the quality of a textile product before they invest. Drop me a line if you’d like to receive one).

The design reflects the connections with our neighbours and local community which for many were strengthened during the lockdown. As an artist, I wanted to design a collection that echoed the special bonds that formed from the shared experiences, in the hope that we continue to strengthen them and support each other.

For every blanket sold, 10% of the profit will go to MIND- the mental health charity.

I’m delighted to launch The Bristol Blanket ahead of schedule and hope I can help to bring warmth and joy to more people this winter. Drop me a line if you have any questions and head over to my online shop to check out this uplifting new design from my Bristol studio.

Inspirational streets of Bristol. Photo: Vicky White Photography
The Bristol Blanket. Image Article Studio. Bed: Timberwoolf
The Bristol Blanket Photo: Article Studio
Angie Parker. Photo: Alice Hendy Photography

Angie Parker is a weaver, designer, and colourist, based at BV Studios in Bedminster. She trained in rug weaving in the 1990s and started her textile practice 6 years ago. Her latest collection of handwoven designs and small batch-produced textiles has been launched ahead of schedule in September 2020. Subscribers to her newsletter are the first to see new designs and also get access to special offers and exhibition news. Sign up here to keep in the loop.

New WAVE Rug from Angie Parker Textiles

 The WAVE rug from Angie Parker Textiles 

For lovers of colour, textiles and quality British Craft.

IMAGE: Article Studio

Handwoven in my Bristol studio, this exclusive piece of contemporary craft brings a dash of colour and warmth to modern and traditional interiors.

This bespoke Krokbragd rug is heading to Decorex International 6-9 October 2019.

The exclusive design is also custom made to order, so clients can adapt the colours to fit in with their interior, or pick a combination to inspire a room make-over. The one in the photo measures 1mx1.6m

Does ‘Living Coral’ the Pantone Colour of the Year inspire you?

To help with decision making I post yarn samples and sketch up designs until everyone is happy that we’ve created the perfect rug. 

About the weaving….

I trained in rug weaving almost 25 years ago and specialised in Krokbragd; a traditional Scandinavian technique.

Photography:Kasia Fiszer Homes & Antiques Magazine

To create the distinctive patterns of Krokbragd (pronounced Kruuk-bra-g-ed), I pass the shuttle three times to create each solid row of colour. It’s a slow technique, but the finish is exquisite, durable and long lasting. With proper care, these rugs will last a lifetime.

The rug is woven using a specific linen for the warp, and Axminster rug wool (80% wool/20% nylon) for the weft. The nylon blend offers resistance to stains and moths, and you care for the rug in a similar way to a quality carpet. Of course, you might choose to hang it on the wall using an easy to fix baton.

Knowing the maker of your rug gives you 100% reassurance that your investment was created ethically.

You can judge the quality of a handwoven rug by the neatness of the selvedge. (I’ll just leave this here)

 I’ve created a straightforward process for commissioning my bespoke rugs, to keep the production time realistic, and only charge what you would expect to pay any skilled worker.

I have a limited amount of time scheduled to weave these rugs in 2019, and the order book is now open.
Drop me a line for prices, current lead times, any additional questions and to reserve your slot on my loom.

Inspiration. Part 1 UPFEST

The Bristol neighbourhood I’m lucky enough to live in provides an ever-changing blast of colour inspiration.

Each summer, Upfest, Europes largest street art and graffiti festival brings 35,000 visitors to our streets to watch live painting on 30,000sqft of walls, shutters and boarding.

 

Doubt I’ll ever tire of these bold statements in colour which feed into my designs. My walk to and from the studio is enriched by them on a daily basis.

Thank you Upfest.

Links: Upfest

Lyme Regis Photo shoot with Yeshen Venema

A day in Lyme Regis, photographing my handwoven rugs in the most beautiful contemporary home I’ve ever had the pleasure to set foot in with the fabulous Yeshen Venema…Oh, go on then!

Whilst many of my clients live in rather more ‘regular’ homes, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to have them photographed in this house. The results exceeded my expectations.

Fryklos Handwoven Krokbragd Rug 
154cm x 84cm Rug Wool (80% wool/20% nylon) on linen warp

 

Prang (Flamboyant) Handwoven Krokbragd Rug 160cm x 86cm Rug Wool (80% wool/20% nylon) on linen warp

 

Mugdha Sapte was on hand for styling the photo shoot and worked her magic with my Indiranagar rugs.

 

 

 

I’m really pleased to see how the rugs really softened this beautiful contemporary space, bringing warmth and vitality. For more images of this stunning home check out Veshens blog post here.

Links:

Yeshen Venema

 

 

 

Inspiration. Part 2. India

I was fortunate to live in India for almost a year in 2006.

Without realising it at the time, my approach to colour changed dramatically as a result of this experience. I gained a new confidence and developed the fearless approach to colour for which my work is now known.

 Vivid shades of silk sari’s under the brilliant bright sunlight and hours spent in markets, with all my senses being bombarded simultaneously basically re-programmed my factory colour settings!

Within hours of first moving to India in 2006, the colours of this incredible country had got under my skin-literally. (Our arrival coincided with Holi Festival and it took ages to wash the dye off).

I found it impossible to walk past the Sari shops, and was getting a daily hit of layered colour from sumptuous displays.

My pretty ropey photo’s don’t do justice to the beautiful colour I experienced each day and I’m thankful that my memory serves me better than my photography skills. Impossible not to be full of creative inspiration after this amazing experience.