RiverMist shawl
Maker
Jenny Fraser
Production date
2002-2016
Description
RiverMist is a featherweight, handwoven shawl developed in 2002. Using fleeces of only the finest count from New Zealand kid angora goats, a unique yarn has been spun. This high quality fibre, under one third the weight used for the Riverweaver styles, is superfine while retaining all the natural qualities of mohair: softness, warmth, lustre, and strength.
Because of the open nature of the weave, a delicate, mysterious ‘half hidden’ quality is evoked, offering the weaver something of exquisite value. The original enchantment of an old pre-loved shawl has been captured by RiverMist’s soft floating threads.
Collection of samples and supporting material related to Riverweaver (Hamilton cottage industry) c.1985–2016. The industry was founded by Jenny Fraser in the early 1980s. She initially worked out of her home in the country, on countermarch looms, weaving all wool rugs using the fleece of her black and coloured sheep. She later moved the industry to Hamilton East on-the-river and hired up to eight craftswomen as contract weavers.
This piece represents the finer, more expensive garments that were successfully marketed overseas in the 2000s.
Riverweaver ~ New Zealand Natural Fibre Artist Originals
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Object detail
Collection of Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato
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