Fibre

One of the many challenges faced in developing world is the issue of waste management. Organic fibres forms major percentage of waste produced from agricultural products and should be of great concern. Fibres have been used to reinforce composites concrete to obtain lighter weight, reduce shrinkage effects which serve to reduce environmental waste. Natural fibre is 100% bio-degradable and recyclable, thereby eliminate pollution, promote biodiversity and conservation of natural resources and thus environmentally friendly.This paper focuses on utilization of some fibres as solid wastes for making economically-friendly and affordable green environment. Three fibres: Jute, Oil palm and Polypropylene fibres were used as complement in concrete and its suitability, durability and influence on the properties of concrete were assessed. The percentages of fibre used were 0.25 and 0.5 of cement content by weight. A total of 84 concrete cube specimens were prepared for standard tests which incl...

It has become evident that the addition of a suitable short fiber results in further improvement in mechanical properties. Reinforcement of elastomers with short fibers combines the rigidity of the fibre with the elasticity of rubber. Progresses in the field of materials science and technology have given birth to fascinating and wonderful materials known as 'composites'. A composite material can be defined as a macroscopic combination of two or more distinct materials, having a recognizable interface between them. Composites are made up of continuous and discontinuous medium. The discontinuous medium that is stiffer and stronger than the continuous phase is called the reinforcement and the so called continuous phase is referred to as the matrix. The properties of a composite are dependent on the properties of the constituent materials, and their distribution and interaction. At present composite materials play a key role in aerospace industry, automobile industry and in other engineering applications as they exhibit outstanding strength to weight and modulus to weight ratio.

Fibre blend ratio is an important factor that determines the properties of spun yarn. Modal is a regenerated manmade fibre and free from short fibres, neps and impurities. In this paper, the influence of modal fibre percentage on the properties of cotton-modal blended yarn was studied. Cotton-modal blended yarn with blend ratio of 80:20, 70:30 and 50:50 and 100% cotton yarns of 30 Ne were produced in ring spinning frame. The experimental results showed that the yarn quality parameters such as irregularity, thick places, thin places, neps, Imperfection Index and hairiness of 100% cotton are higher than cotton-modal blended yarn. With the increase of modal fibre percentage, the quality of blended yarns was improved than 100% cotton yarn. The unevenness of cotton-model blended yarn was decreased by 22% with the increase of model fibre proportion from 0 to 50%. In regards to the Count Strength Product (CSP) value, the cotton-modal blended yarns showed an increasing trend with increasing of modal fibre percentage in the blend ratio. It can be attributed that the absence of short fibres in modal fibre, which phenomena was contributed to the yarn properties with increasing the modal fibre percentage. Increasing modal fibre proportion was reflected in the considerable enhancement of cotton-modal fibre blended yarn quality.

The present study focused on inhibitory activity of freshly extracted essential oils from three legal (THC b 0.2% w/v) hemp varieties (Carmagnola, Fibranova and Futura) on microbial growth. The effect of different sowing times on oil composition and biological activity was also evaluated. Essential oils were distilled and then characterized through the gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Thereafter, the oils were compared to standard reagents on a broad range inhibition of microbial growth via minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay. Microbial strains were divided into three groups: i) Gram (+) bacteria, which regard to food-borne pathogens or gastrointestinal bacteria, ii) Gram (−) bacteria and iii) yeasts, both being involved in plant interactions. The results showed that essential oils of industrial hemp can significantly inhibit the microbial growth, to an extent depending on variety and sowing time. It can be concluded that essential oils of industrial hemp, especially those of Futura, may have interesting applications to control spoilage and food-borne pathogens and phytopathogens microorganisms.

Fibre dimensions are of great significance due to their strong relationship with the strength properties of wood and paper. The fibre characteristics of three selected plant species (Verbenaceae family Duranta erecta and Lantana camara, Lamiaceae familyVitex doniana ) were determined and their pulp and paper making potentials were compared with that of Gmelina arborea. The mean fibre lengths of the species were found to be short since they were less than 1.6mm. Gmelina arborea has the highest slenderness ratio with a mean value of 29.8241±1.0928 and the highest coefficient of flexibility (0.8584±0.0109). The Runkel ratio was highest in Duranta erecta recording an average of 0.6507±0.0638. However, the derived fibre values: slenderness ratio, coefficient flexibility and Runkel ratio of the species studied were considered to be good paper making potentials, therefore, making Duranta erecta, Lantana camara, and Vitex doniana a suitable substitute for Gmelina arborea in the papermaking ...

Fibres have been used in construction materials for a very long time. Through previous research and investigations, the use of natural and synthetic fibres have shown promising results, as their presence has demonstrated significant benefits in terms of the overall physical and mechanical properties of the composite material. When comparing fibre reinforcement to traditional reinforcement, the ratio of fibre required is significantly less, making fibre reinforcement both energy and economically efficient. More recently, waste fibres have been studied for their potential as reinforcement in construction materials. The build-up of waste materials all around the world is a known issue, as landfill space is limited, and the incineration process requires considerable energy and produces unwanted emissions. The utilisation of waste fibres in construction materials can alleviate these issues and promote environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions that work in the industry. This study reviews the types, properties, and applications of different fibres used in a wide range of materials in the construction industry, including concrete, asphalt concrete, soil, earth materials, blocks and bricks, composites, and other applications.

Composite materials have assumed a significant part all through mankind's set of experiences, from lodging early civic establishments to empowering future developments. Composites offer numerous advantages; the key among them are erosion opposition, plan adaptability, toughness, light weight, and strength. Composites have saturated our regular day to day existences, for example, items that are utilized in developments, clinical applications, oil and gas, transportation, sports, aviation, and some more. A few applications, for example, rocket ships, most likely would not make headway without composite materials. This part tends to the upsides of fiber composite materials just as essential impacts, item advancement, and uses of fiber composites, including material science, planning, assembling, properties, and usage of the materials in different applications.

This book documents an exploration of emergent and linear modes of defining space, form, and structure. The thesis highlights a dialog between analog and digital modeling techniques, in concept and project development. It identifies that analog modeling techniques, coupled with judgment, can be used to develop complex forms. The thesis project employs critical judgment and the textile techniques of crochet as a vehicle generate form.

Crochet lends itself to this investigation because it is a serial process of fabrication that allows for the introduction of specific non-linear modifications. The resulting emergent forms produced by this mode of working can be precisely described by digital modeling techniques. These analog crochet models are translated into the digital through the employment of advanced digital modeling tools. This translation enables the visualization, development, testing, and execution of an architectural space, form, and structure.

http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-05102011-225915/unrestricted/Worden_AG_T_2011.pdf

DETERMINATION OF FIBRE % cane is at the core of the evaluation of cane and for factory control purposes. The acceptability of any method depends on the accuracy of results, complexity of procedure, time required for the procedure and especially for skilled personnel. The availability of skilled analysts in developing countries is a matter of concern, hence the need for an alternative method which should be accurate and is less time consuming for skilled analysts. Considering this, an alternative method was devised which requires only two analyses i.e. moisture of the sampled cane and refractometer brix of the extracted juice. As fewer analyses are involved, the alternative method requires less time for the skilled analyst. The probability of random error is also less due to fewer analyses; hence, results are fairly accurate under repeatable and reproducible conditions. The accuracy of the alternative method when compared with the ICUMSA official method has a relative error e r of –0.01%. It is concluded that the alternative method is fairly accurate, easy in procedure, and the time required by the analyst is lower compared to any other method. Introduction Determination of fibre % cane is at the core for evaluation of cane and for factory control purposes. Two methods for determination of fibre % cane are common in the subcontinent i.e. (1) ICUMSA official method, GS5/7-1994 and (2) bag diffusion method. Though the ICUMSA method is accurate and requires less time i.e. about 6–7 hours than the 24 hours for the bag diffusion method, it is surprisingly less attractive for laboratory staff. Perhaps due to the involvement of various equipment and analyses, this requires considerable time by a highly skilled analyst to complete the procedure. That is why the ICUMSA method is less common and the bag diffusion method is more attractive in the subcontinent. A need for an accurate method which is less time consuming had always been felt very eagerly, as the availability of skilled analysts is a matter of concern in developing countries. Considering these issues, an alternative method that is referred to as the 'Hamna method' has been developed for the determination of fibre % cane. Only two analyses (1) moisture of the prepared cane and (2) brix of the extracted juice for the same sample of cane are required. The formula devised for the calculation is based on internationally accepted definitions and assumptions. Materials and method To assess the accuracy of the proposed Hamna method with respect to the ICUMSA method, analysis of 50 samples of different cane varieties were carried out for determination of fibre % cane at the independent laboratory of Faran Sugar Mills Limited. The results of both methods were compared for relative error, e r %, and correlation coefficient.

"عنوان: بررسی و فن شناسی خاک جزیره قشم جهت احداث کارگاه‌های سفالگری

چکیده
بنا به درخواست سازمان منطقه آزاد قشم، بخش صنایع دستی، به منظور ایجاد اشتغال برای ساکنان بومی این جزیره و ایجاد جاذبه‌های توریستی، توانایی‌های موجود در منطقه برای احداث کارگاه‌های سفالگری مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. از آنجا که یکی از ارکان اساسی سفالگری و ساخت محصولات سفالی خاک مناسب برای این کار است؛ بنابراین لازم است تا ابتدا خاک این جزیره مورد آزمایش قرار گیرد تا مشخص شود به لحاظ فنی و ترکیبی مناسب سفالگری است یا نه. این مقاله سعی دارد تا با بررسی خاک جزیره قشم، توانایی فنی این خاک را برای استفاده در سفالگری مورد آزمایش قرار دهد. در همین راستا از مناطق مختلف جزیره قشم نمونه‌برداری شده و کلیه خاک‌ها مورد آزمایش‌های مختلف قرار گرفت تا مزایا، معایب و مرغوبیت خاک‌ هر منطقه برای استفاده در سفال‌گری مشخص شود. پس از انجام آزمایش‌های آبرفتگی، چسبندگی، پرس، تعیین دانسیته و پخت، نمونه‌های نهایی تحت آزمایش دقیق آنالیز مکانیکی خاک، آنالیز خشک (XRF)، آنالیز کلاسیک و تعیین نوع اسید در مرکز تخصصی مکانیک خاک «نسوز آذر» قرار گرفته و در نهایت آزمایش تکمیلی مدل‌سازی و لعاب بر روی نمونه نهایی انجام شد.
پس از انجام تمامی مراحل مشخص شد که خاک این جزیره برای استفاده در سفالگری چندان مناسب نبوده و برای راه‌اندازی کارگاه‌های سفالگری باید از خاک‌های مکمل که در نقاط خارج از این جزیره وجود دارد استفاده شود که این مسئله نشان دهنده عدم توجیه اقتصادی در احداث این کارگاه‌ها از از نقطه نظر خاک منطقه است.

واژگان کلیدی: جزیره قشم، سفال، کارگاه سفالگری، مکانیک خاک."

Summary The present work is intended to describe the variability of fibre colours in the population of alpacas from the region of Huancavelica, Peru. The population structure, the incidence of defects and the quality of the fibre, were also analysed. A total of 2341 animals from 22 flocks from seven communities with colour alpacas were characterised. The quality of fibre

The huge production of cement concrete is causing environmental issues at one end and the uncontrolled usage of natural resources on the other end. Because of the danger to the ecology, many investigations were being made to use industrial by- products as supplementary cementitious material (SCMs) in manufacturing concrete. Ordinary concrete has very low tensile strength, low ductility and bit resistance to cracking. Internal micro-cracks in the concrete and its poor tensile strength is due to the propagation of such micro cracks. Inclusion of Fibers in some percentage enhances the strain properties as well as crack resistance, ductility, bending strength and toughness of concrete. During the past years, we have seen extensive research on concrete by suitably replacing with various materials to reduce carbon footprint and also make it economical. The current review paper primarily focuses on research carried in the territory of fibre reinforced concrete integrating various Mineral Admixtures and Fibres, which involves experimental studies on strength and durability properties, the effect on fibres etc. The recent advancements in fibre reinforced concrete have been af irmed in the current paper. Various mineral admixtures in forms of binary, trinary or quadruple blends with cement added to mono fibre and hybrid fibre reinforced concrete are reviewed. The current review is mainly focused on basalt fibres (BF) and glass fibre (GF) reinforced concretes and their hybridization with various organic and inorganic fibres. To have a clear picture of present study first the effect of incorporating mono fibres, hybrid fibres in conventional concrete and The effect of minerals admixtures (binary, trinary, quadruple blends) on mono fibre and compound fibre reinforced concrete on strength properties are reviewed and discussed followed by their long term durability aspects This review revealed that the hybridization of BFRC and GFRC with blends will result in an enhancement in strength and durability aspects of concrete. However the durability properties of binary, trinary and quadruple blended hybrid fibre reinforced concrete is a concern that hasn’t been meticulously researched yet.

Fibre dimensions are of great significance due to their strong relationship with the strength properties of wood and paper. The fibre characteristics of three selected plant species (Verbenaceae family-Duranta erecta and Lantana camara, Lamiaceae family-Vitex doniana) were determined and their pulp and paper making potentials were compared with that of Gmelina arborea. The mean fibre lengths of the species were found to be short since they were less than 1.6mm. Gmelina arborea has the highest slenderness ratio with a mean value of 29.8241±1.0928 and the highest coefficient of flexibility (0.8584±0.0109). The Runkel ratio was highest in Duranta erecta recording an average of 0.6507±0.0638. However, the derived fibre values: slenderness ratio, coefficient flexibility and Runkel ratio of the species studied were considered to be good paper making potentials, therefore, making Duranta erecta, Lantana camara, and Vitex doniana a suitable substitute for Gmelina arborea in the papermaking industries.

The huge production of cement concrete is causing environmental issues at one end and the uncontrolled usage of natural resources on the other end. Because of the danger to the ecology, many investigations were being made to use industrial byproducts as supplementary cementitious material (SCMs) in manufacturing concrete. Ordinary concrete has very low tensile strength, low ductility and bit resistance to cracking. Internal micro-cracks in the concrete and its poor tensile strength is due to the propagation of such micro cracks. Inclusion of Fibers in some percentage enhances the strain properties as well as crack resistance, ductility, bending strength and toughness of concrete. During the past years, we have seen extensive research on concrete by suitably replacing with various materials to reduce carbon footprint and also make it economical. The current review paper primarily focuses on research carried in the territory of fibre reinforced concrete integrating various Mineral Adm...

Leaf mechanical properties strongly influence leaf lifespan, plant–herbivore interactions, litter decomposition and nutrient cycling, but global patterns in their interspecific variation and underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We synthesize data across the three major measurement methods, permitting the first global analyses of leaf mechanics and associated traits, for 2819 species from 90 sites worldwide. Key measures of leaf mechanical resistance varied c. 500–800-fold among species. Contrary to a long-standing hypothesis, tropical leaves were not mechanically more resistant than temperate leaves. Leaf mechanical resistance was modestly related to rainfall and local light environment. By partitioning leaf mechanical resistance into three different components we discovered that toughness per density contributed a surprisingly large fraction to variation in mechanical resistance, larger than the fractions contributed by lamina thickness and tissue density. Higher toughne...

Studies of the Mesolithic–Neolithic transition in Europe have focused on plants and animals exploited for food. However, the exploitation of plants for fibres underwent a significant change with the addition of domestic flax as a fibre crop. While the technology of flax fibre processing is increasingly understood by archaeologists, its material value as a fibre crop in comparison to indigenous fibre is less well explored. We examine the mechanical properties of flax and two indigenous fibres (lime bast, willow bast), by testing fibre strips for tensile properties and discuss the results in the light of material choices in these periods.

Gel fibres of barium M ferrite, BaFe12O19, were blow spun from an aqueous inorganic sol and calcined at temperatures up to 1200°C. The ceramic fibres were shown by X-ray diffraction to be single phase crystalline M ferrite at 1000°C, and surface area and porosity measurements indicated an unusually high degree of sintering at this temperature. The fibres also demonstrated a favourable grain structure of less than 0.1 μm at this temperature and maintained a small grain size of less than 4 μm even up to 1200°C, an im portant factor in the magnetic properties of this material.

The huge production of cement concrete is causing environmental issues at one end and the uncontrolled usage of natural resources on the other end. Because of the danger to the ecology, many investigations were being made to use industrial byproducts as supplementary cementitious material (SCMs) in manufacturing concrete. Ordinary concrete has very low tensile strength, low ductility and bit resistance to cracking. Internal micro-cracks in the concrete and its poor tensile strength is due to the propagation of such micro cracks. Inclusion of Fibers in some percentage enhances the strain properties as well as crack resistance, ductility, bending strength and toughness of concrete. During the past years, we have seen extensive research on concrete by suitably replacing with various materials to reduce carbon footprint and also make it economical. The current review paper primarily focuses on research carried in the territory of fibre reinforced concrete integrating various Mineral Admixtures and Fibres, which involves experimental studies on strength and durability properties, the effect on fibres etc. The recent advancements in fibre reinforced concrete have been affirmed in the current paper. Various mineral admixtures in forms of binary, trinary or quadruple blends with cement added to mono fibre and hybrid fibre reinforced concrete are reviewed. The current review is mainly focused on basalt fibres (BF) and glass fibre (GF) reinforced concretes and their hybridization with various organic and inorganic fibres. To have a clear picture of present study first the effect of incorporating mono fibres, hybrid fibres in conventional concrete and The effect of minerals admixtures (binary, trinary, quadruple blends) on mono fibre and compound fibre reinforced concrete on strength properties are reviewed and discussed followed by their long term durability aspects.

The huge production of cement concrete is causing environmental issues at one end and the uncontrolled usage of natural resources on the other end. Because of the danger to the ecology, many investigations were being made to use industrial by- products as supplementary cementitious material (SCMs) in manufacturing concrete. Ordinary concrete has very low tensile strength, low ductility and bit resistance to cracking. Internal micro-cracks in the concrete and its poor tensile strength is due to the propagation of such micro cracks. Inclusion of Fibers in some percentage enhances the strain properties as well as crack resistance, ductility, bending strength and toughness of concrete. During the past years, we have seen extensive research on concrete by suitably replacing with various materials to reduce carbon footprint and also make it economical. The current review paper primarily focuses on research carried in the territory of fibre reinforced concrete integrating various Mineral Admixtures and Fibres, which involves experimental studies on strength and durability properties, the effect on fibres etc. The recent advancements in fibre reinforced concrete have been af irmed in the current paper. Various mineral admixtures in forms of binary, trinary or quadruple blends with cement added to mono fibre and hybrid fibre reinforced concrete are reviewed. The current review is mainly focused on basalt fibres (BF) and glass fibre (GF) reinforced concretes and their hybridization with various organic and inorganic fibres. To have a clear picture of present study first the effect of incorporating mono fibres, hybrid fibres in conventional concrete and The effect of minerals admixtures (binary, trinary, quadruple blends) on mono fibre and compound fibre reinforced concrete on strength properties are reviewed and discussed followed by their long term durability aspects.
This review revealed that the hybridization of BFRC and GFRC with blends will result in an enhancement in strength and durability aspects of concrete. However the durability properties of binary, trinary and quadruple blended hybrid fibre reinforced concrete is a concern that hasn’t been meticulously researched yet

It has been hypothesised by us that the relative variability of wool and cotton prices rises with increasing capacity utilisation in the man-made fibre industry.
The purpose of this paper is to consider whether or not the available evidence supports this hypothesis and to estimate the empirical relationships which exist between relative variability of natural fibre prices and capacity utilisation in the man-made fibre industry.
The conclusion reached is that empirical evidence lends support to this hypothesis for various sections of the man-made fibre industry. From the results we have further speculated that the supply curve of fibres may be exponential like (rising very slowly at first, then very rapidly as full capacity is reached in the man-made fibre industry). Although our empirical evidence does not prove this hypothesis the results are consistent with such a supply relationship.

This study was conducted to investigate the impact of machine milking on fibre diameter and some plasma parameters such as cholesterol, triglycerides and total protein of lambs and their dams in early lactation period. In this study, 20 Karayaka lambs and 20 their dams were used. The sheep were numbered with ear tags and equally distributed into machine milking and suckling groups having similar live weights (56.80 vs 55.75 kg). Fibre diameters and plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and total protein levels of lambs and their dams did not differ between machine milking and suckling group at the first week and weaning period. We find that there is not any effect of machine milking on fibre diameter in early lactation period.

A testimonianza della mostra omonima che propone un ampio excursus nell’arte tessile e del ricamo della Sicilia Centrale tra il XV e il XVIII secolo, con particolare riguardo alle produzioni artistiche destinate alle celebrazioni religiose, e del grande lavoro compiuto sotto il profilo scientifico e come esemplare atto di tutela, condotto dalla Soprintendenza dei Beni Culturali ed Ambientali di Caltanissetta, resta questo imponente catalogo, risultato della ricerca e dell’approfondimento scientifico condotto da specialisti della materia, sotto la guida del Prof. Giuseppe Cantelli e con la collaborazione di Elvira D’Amico e Salvatore Rizzo, destinato a diventare ineludibile punto di riferimento nel settore degli studi sui tessili. L’operazione, prendendo le mosse da una capillare ricognizione del patrimonio tessile del territorio delle diocesi di Caltanissetta e Piazza Armerina e passando attraverso la fase fondamentale della conservazione mediante il restauro, è approdata infine, alla valorizzazione dei materiali scoperti e studiati attraverso la loro esposizione, ispirata a criteri di rigorosa scientificità e nello stesso tempo godibile per il potere seduttivo da sempre esercitato dalle trame preziose e dai raffinati accostamenti cromatici delle stoffe. Il I volume raccoglie gli interventi degli studiosi, le Tavole, ed una ricca Appendice documentaria ed è corredato da una completa iconografia; il II volume raccoglie il catalogo dei tessuti e dei ricami comprendente le schede e le illustrazioni, una sezione dedicata alle tavole e la Bibliografia.

SOMMARIO

Volume I

La cultura delle apparenze nella Sicilia centro- meridionale: il censimento dell’arte tessile in questo territorio e ragionamenti sopra ogni sorta di motivi decorativi
Giuseppe Cantelli

Il tessile europeo tra opulenza e classicismo nella Sicilia centro-meridionale
José Luiz Santoro

Caltanissetta e il suo territorio. La cultura tessile
Elvira D’Amico

Alcune ipotesi di tessuti palermitani del periodo barocco. Il “Revel” siciliano
Elvira D’Amico

Invenzioni e decorazioni a fili d’oro e d’argento: galloni, trine, frange
Rosanna Caterina Proto Pisani

L’abito e la festa
Marina Carmignani

Realtà e simbolo del tessuto a servizio della fede
Pietro Nonis

Indicazioni di conservazione e restauro di manufatti tessili antichi
Rosalia Varoli Piazza

Tavole

Appendice documentaria
I. Arredi sacri e profani, abbigliamento e commercio delle stoffe a Caltanissetta. Secoli XVI-XVIII
Daniela Vullo

II. L’inventario dei beni mobili di don Fabrizio Branciforte principe di Butera
Antonino Ragona

III. Gli abiti, le robbe e gli apparati: testimonianza di vita del ’600 a Mazzarino
Maria Elena Alfano

IV. L’esecuzione del tosello di Enna. Regesto
Claudia Guastella

V. Acquisizioni documentarie sui manufatti tessili a San Cataldo e a Caltanissetta. Secoli XVII-XIX
Silvana Bartolozzi

VI. Per un censimento del patrimonio tessile ecclesiastico della Sicilia centrale: gli inventari degli archivi storici delle diocesi di Piazza Armerina e Catania
Vittorio Ugo Vicari

Volume II

Catalogo
I tessuti
I ricami
Tavole
Bibliografia

In this study some of the important properties of experimentally manufactured wood–plastic composites (WPC) were determined. Specimen having 60% and 80% particle and fiber of radiata pine (Pinus radiata) were mixed with polypropylene (plastic) and four different additives, namely Structor TR 016 which is coupling agent, CIBA anti-microbial agent (IRGAGUARD F3510) as fungicide, CIBA UV filter coating (TINUVIN 123S), CIBA blue pigment (Irgalite), and their combinations.

Primarily a feminine duty or pastime, knitting has a deliciously rich history of political subversion in fiction and life. As a preemptive measure just prior to the Revolutionary War (1775–1783), American colonists boycotted British goods, spinning their own yarn and knitting and weaving all their own clothing. Madame Defarge, from Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities (1859), knitted constantly in the background; the domestic pastime belied a sinister agenda; readers learn she had been knitting a registry of all those condemned to die in the name of the new republic.

Largely abandoned with the invention of knitting machines, there has been a youth-driven revival of yarn arts in recent decades, a statement against mass production and reclamation of women’s crafts. Activists have begun incorporating large-scale knit and crocheted pieces into political public art statements. Called “yarn bombing” or “yarn graffiti,” these installations may beautify public spaces and add a touch of the handmade to our industrialized environments – drab urban landscapes are the usual targets—if temporarily. More overtly political yarn bombers may target military tanks or relevant statues; for example, Marianne Joergensen stitched a pink blanket over a combat tank to protest Denmark's involvement in the Iraq war in 2006. Contrary to its innocuous grannie associations, knitting can politicize.

Kohika is an important wet site for New Zealand archaeology, providing valuable information on prehistoric village life. This thesis looks at the fibre collection excavated from Kohika in 2005 and 2006, studying in depth the construction methods used n the manufacture and possible functions of cordage, netting, plaiting, other miscellaneous items and a hinaki (eel trap). Eight case studies look at a representative range of the fibre collection in order to gain a better understanding of how fibre or more specifically flax was used by Māori (pre-European contact) living in the Bay of Plenty. This research shows that harakeke or flax was an important natural resource present in almost all aspects of village life including construction, transport, subsistence, entertainment, adornment, and clothing.