Featuring Fiber Artist and Poet, Maryam H.
Ya Allah, Ya Khaliq (The Creator): Through al-Khaliq, “Allah brings into existence that which does not exist. It shapes the doer and the doing.” (Fawzia)
Through this quality Allah has led me, step by step, to weave 100% wool, heirloom prayer rugs and natural fiber prayer shawls.
I never could have predicted that I would become a fiber artist but the same month I moved to a Vermont village, a resident opened a fiber shop a few houses down. That was four years ago. I really fell in love with wool, particularly. The smell, the texture, the way it surrenders to the process of being transformed from dirty raw fleece to beautiful, clean, fluffy fiber, and the carding process that aligns the fibers so that they can be spun and used for knitting, crocheting and weaving. The natural colors vary in shade and tone and are beautiful reflections of the perfection of our Creator.
Weaving with wool is particularly rewarding. Whether using natural colors or dyed wool, it is always an adventure to take a piece off the loom and see what it looks like. Each piece is unique. I am attracted to the creativity of the process and the beauty of each creation. But there is another dimension to working with the wool.
Learning the mechanics of these new skills has been rehabilitative following a severe tick illness that affected me neurologically. The process also helps to heal emotional trauma. It is meditative and supports contemplation, reflection and prayer.
Finally, I have found that I can combine my love for fiber with my knack for poetry. I will be working on using the reflective process to inspire poetry. Unity, weaving together, tapestries, wool that surrenders to the guiding hand of the washer, carder and spinner ….. these are the concepts that I hope will inspire a new body of spiritual poetry.
As far as the fiber creations, I fall in love with practically everything that Allah sends through me. Seeing Allah’s Beauty and Perfection come through in this way is very rewarding. I’d say my children are my biggest fans. It has been so much fun making rugs and letting them choose their favorites. Its a way of leaving a part of myself behind after I leave this dunya.
My happy Kentucky kids and their rugs!
Rugs ready to go!
Hand felted wool heart with silk thread overlay
Hand felted wool and alpaca hearts with silk thread embellishment
A colorful prayer shawl made of wool, alpaca and angora rabbit. I gave this to my 88 year old mom. She loved it!
Wool – Alpaca – Angora Rabbit Prayer Shawl
100% Wool Throw
Slide Show
Here is a slide show that describes in detail the process of starting with a raw sheep fleece and finishing with a beautiful wool rug.
Poetry Chapbook
My poetry chapbook, Piercing the Veil was published by Finishing Line Press. My current project is to combine the meditative and reflective aspects of working with fiber and poetry.
Where can we purchase your lovely creations beloved? I especially like the felted heart pendents.
Salaams beloved,
Thank you for asking. I just recently started selling my prayer rugs. I have a limited number. I have a few wall hangings for sale. I am not selling the shawls, blankets or hearts.
I would like to use this opportunity to let the viewers know that weaving with natural fiber is not as sustainable as one might think. A raw sheep fleece from a reputable breeder can run $70-$125 and to process it can run $45-$60. The warp wool, used to weave can run up to $24 a pound. I buy my wool from local farmers and process it myself to save money. But the labor is so intensive to wash, card, spin and finally weave that this is not a sustainable business, but rather a hobby. The colored wool used to make the throw in the picture above is also very expensive. With the raw materials so pricey, its impossible to sell these products for an affordable price.
Yes I would love to know where to purchase rugs and shawls. Can you custom make?
As salaam alaikum
Beloved Maryam such beautiful craftsmanship. Your mom must have loved her shawl. Such beautiful colors.
My 95 year old friend wives wool. Her son gave me some brown. I gave it to someone at church who I knew would use it.
Oh.. I see your beautiful hearts. I never thought of that. I love them.
The best to you selling them and using Allah’s creative ability flowing through you.
Salaams Aisha,
Thank you for writing. Alhamdulillah I really enjoy witnessing the love and beauty that Allah sends through the wool creations. Ya Allah Ya Khaliq! I also love praying on my rug and think its so wonderful that some beloveds are enjoying them. Masha’llah. Warmly, Maryam