Ferns and yarn

 I am trying to make something that reflects my time in New Zealand with wool from here. This merino yarn reminds me of the colors of the ocean, as well as paua shells. It is very fine, almost like thread. This will make a gossamer scarf that will feel and look a bit like sea foam.

I decided on arrowhead lace patterning for feeling connected to New Zealand; it reminds me of the motifs used in Maori tukutuku wall panels that are woven by hand for Marae (Maori meeting houses that are sacred). The chevron symbol varies from iwi to iwi (loosely translated as tribe); the most interesting meaning to me is “niho taniwha”---dragon teeth! A taniwha is a mythical monster; it reminds me a bit of Loch Ness, and is affiliated with the ocean when it gets wild or large lakes of New Zealand.  Like a dragon it also has sharp teeth and can fly.

Chevrons can also represent mountains.  Stacked chevrons, row after row, can symbolize a long journey.  Zig-zags can represent kao kao (human ribs), or arms doing the haka.  Tukutuku aside, the chevron design element mostly reminds me of the ferns in my back yard (fern photos really are from out back).  I feel satisfied that this pattern will be rich with symbolism and meaning for me.

There is a wonderful New Zealand website that is the country's online cultural encyclopedia.  Here are links to it that show the Te Arawa tukutuku pattern:
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/te-arawa/1/1

Another example of a beautiful tukutuku wall surrounded by carvings:
 http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/te-waonui-a-tane-forest-mythology/4/2

This last link shows a gorgeous church with an interior that has traditional Maori art inside.  It beautifully showcases tukutuku weaving:
 http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/east-coast-places/2/2/2
 http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/east-coast-places/2/2/3

For those that are interested in learning about taniwha (say tahn'-i-fah) and other mythical creatures of the Maori tradition, this is a good place to start:
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/taniwha/1

This is a youtube video where you will hear the stories and legends of Taniwha with all of the Maori spoken properly, Maori music on traditional instruments, and the gorgeous scenery of New Zealand:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbCr7Hlp3rQ