yes. . .more purple

In an earlier entry, I mentioned that I used to abhor purple. I don't think I owned anything purple until a few years ago. I finally got over my prejudice. Because it's a secondary color it's got a zillion possibilities. Anyway, I am finally starting to do something besides crochet bags. Here's some yarn I dyed up this winter; purples, lilacs, blues and mauves. Oh, you can see that, can't you? Silly me!

I'm about to embark on using my knitting machine again. I spent a good part of today wrestling with the darned thing. My partner spent at least two hours on it himself. It just wouldn't knit. It was the crapola yarn that came with the machine that was the problem! URGGGHHH!!!! Anyhoo, the yarn:

iPod pouches

Of all the bags I've made thus far, these are the plainest, but I'm keeping the black one. It's got my iPod mini in it. The other one is made of chenille and a regular iPod would fit in it. They're not completely flat. The bottom is rounded, just like the others, so ones' ear buds can fit in it without distorting the bag.

I must stop crocheting these things until I get some beads but I just can't stop!

. . .and more bags

This egg shaped pouch became egg shaped because I ran out of yarn. I love how these bags evolve into something different each time, even though they all start out the same. Each one starts with a circle. Where it ends up. . .well, I hope they get more interesting each time. I've got to get some beads with big eyes so I can add more ephemera!



This one's just okay. I know it's time to take a break and do something else until I get those beads.

bag making frenzy

I've made five bags in the last two and a half days and I hope to make another one this afternoon.

Here's another rag bag. This is the only one that is flat:



More ribbons and beads:



I didn't think I was going to like this one as I was nearing its' completion. With the addition of the triangular flap, I suddenly fell in love with it.



I include a side view 'cause I was thinking about Weaver birds' nests as I was crocheting.

the way

The Great Way is not difficult

for those who have no preferences.

When love and hate are both absent

everything becomes clear and undisguised.

Make the smallest distinction, however,

and heaven and earth are set infinitely apart.

- from the Faith in Mind Sutra

I was looking over my posts and noticed that I use the expressions "I hate" and "I love" an awful lot. It's interesting to notice it. One other thing I notice is that as some of my notions of what I "love and hate" fall away, I am getting more creative. For instance, there was a time I would have not, absolutely not, put glitz or fringe on anything. Period. I "hated that kind of thing". Well, now I just make stuff and see what happens. Funny what places one finds Zen. Everywhere, actually. Not just on the cushion, that's for sure. And lately for me, that's the last place I'm finding it!

ribbon bag

If you look carefully, there's a Swarovski crystal hanging from the top of the bag. I said I was getting into glitz: here's a bit of it. This pouch was made from ribbon, the same ribbon that holds together the necklace I posted a few days ago. Makiing these bags is a lot of fun!

It's funny about crocheting and me. I learned to crochet when I was VERY young. I don't know the names of the stitches or even if I'm doing them correctly. I don't know how to follow a crochet pattern. I've always loved to knit and "hated" to crochet. I'll be honest: I bet the reason I didn't like crocheting is because my mother did it. Yes, it's all psychological. Thankfully, I've gotten over it. For me, crocheting is quite a different experience than knitting: it's more "organic". It's about three dimensionality. I like just making it up as I go along and so, it's pretty relaxing. Not that I don't find knitting relaxing. Knitting is my true love, but right now I'm on a crochet kick.

rag bag crochet

Here's my first crocheted "rag bag". I tore about one yard of fabric into strips. Then, I crocheted this bag, which is definately a dark purple, quite unlike what one sees in the photo. I guess the flash washed it out. It looks sort of like a miniature fishing bag. I wish the photo captured that. I ought to learn to use my digital camera better!

my first bead weaving

First off, I gotta say that anyone who weaves size 11 or smaller beads is crazy. Since I'm doing it too, now, I'm not pointing any fingers. Here are my first three off loom woven beads, done in square stitch:


I wanted to dispense with a pattern, since it was hard enough to learn and see what I was doing. But I rather like the little squares. My idea was to make a necklace that had little flags on it, inspired by the miniature Tibetan prayer flags I have hanging on my kitchen door. Obviously, these are not the "right colors", for they're not primary. I have become infatuated with purples and greys.

I have actually loathed purple most of my life. I hated the silly connection between purple and eccentricity and the poem about growing old and wishing one had worn more purple in their life. Purple is just a color! A great color, but one that, unfortunately, carries a lot of baggage.

PS. I just looked at this page and realized: the photo is MUCH larger than real life. The background grid has one inch squares, so that should give you some idea how small everything is!

c'est fini

I don't know why the title is in French. C'est la vie. I don't know much French. Anyhoo, I finished the necklace. I'm not sure the tie is fancy or heavy enough for the rest of the piece. Perhaps it should have a clasp closure. I just love that ribbon and wanted to use it for something! It's a bit darker than in the photo.

getting into glitz

Yes indeed, I am getting into glitz.

I started knitting beaded I-Cord and discovered that it was decidedly NOT FUN. Kept splitting the thread on my 000 needles. I switched to 0's but those were Inox and I must say I dislike them too much to knit with them; ought to give them away. They feel like fingernails on chalk board to me. Yuck!

So, above is my first glitzy necklace. I don't show the ends 'cause I'm not sure how I'm going to finish it off yet. I'd like to put sterling silver endcaps on it if I can find some.

Here's how I made this (it's REALLY EASY!!!): First I strung all the beads (the hardest part!) Then I used a size E crochet hook and made a chain with a bead in every loop. I made about 4 yards. I then folded it in half, put one end on a nail, and twisted it until it started to twist back on itself. That's all.

Forget the I-Cord. With this "mess o' beads" who needs it? You can't see it anyway, so I figure one might as well do it as easily as possible.

Voila!