Are You Still Collecting Tea Bag Strings?

"Are you still collecting tea bag strings?" is a question I've been asked quite a bit lately...

And the answer is YES.

You betcha I am!

So I love it when I get mail like this...

Actually, when the kids brought the mail in this time, I knew what was inside before I even touched the envelope... there were tell-tale ends peeking out of the seal!

If you're new to the blog, then you're probably wondering why on earth I want people to send me tea bag strings. Which is a reasonable question really...

Well.

I've been saving them.

And knotting them together...

Until they look something like this:

And then I've been crocheting with them - just as if it were yarn.

It works up surprisingly well. I mean, it's slow going with all those little knots to bypass, but the overall finish is rather special. The hook I'm using is around a 7.0 mm and the stitch is a dc, ch 1 mesh. It results in an amazingly lightweight fabric...

And what am I making with those strings?

My first project was an infinity scarf - as shown, it is wrapped three times...

I'm so pleased with the way that this one worked up, that I've started another. This one won't be an infinity scarf, just a regular long thin scarf which can be wrapped any way you like.

But Why?

Are you the type of person who asks WHY all the time?

Do you question everything and everyone?

Are you always wondering about what goes on behind the scenes?

What motivates people to behave the way they do?

And why can't things be done differently?

Is your Inner Preschooler always demanding to know WHY - WHY - WHY - WHY - WHY?

As a Designer, I'm often asked WHY?

Why did I start the body at the bottom instead of the top? Why did I place the seam to the left instead of the right? Why did I work a project flat instead of in the round? Why did I work separate pieces instead of as a whole? Why choose the acrylic instead of wool or cotton? Why use three strands at once instead of a bulky? Why, why, why, why, why?

Please don't think that I'm complaining. I'm not.

I actually find it fascinating, because so many of these decisions are automatic to me. In fact, I almost don't even realise that I've made a decision. I've just done what I needed to do, for the effect that I wanted.

So it's intriguing to think about WHY I made those choices. To really think about what the alternatives were... why I didn't choose them... and how different the overall effect would have been if I did make another choice.

The reason this is playing on my mind right now, is because my Onarum Shawl pattern has been released for testing - and it has triggered a couple of questions. All pattern releases prompt questions about yarn choices and sizing, but these questions were specific to the design itself.

The first one related to the fact that the wrap is made from two pieces, which are seamed at the centre back. People want to know why the shawl wasn't made all in the one piece. After all - if it was in one piece then it wouldn't need to be seamed. And most people hate to seam, so surely it would be better as a one-piece? I get it. Not everyone is talented at seaming, and even those who are - do not want to waste time on it, if there are alternatives.

Well. I seamed the back because I wanted the crochet pieces at the front to be identical. Because the front tapers, if you wanted to work it as a whole, you would need to increase at one end of the wrap and decrease at the other. That's not difficult to do, but they will not look identical. My original plan was for the wrap to sit snugly across the bust and fasten flat at the front (rather than with a knot and tassels) so I really wanted each side to look perfect.

Could you work it as a whole? Of course you could... but I chose not to!

The other question relates to the back of the wrap. See the way there is a wide band? It's sitting slightly to the right in this photo.

Well that band is MESSING with people's heads!!!

It's funny, you know - I barely notice it... yet other people are beside themselves about it not looking right! Such a little thing, really. But it's actually making people BONKERS.

Totally not criticising here. I think you should know that. I'm just intrigued, that a detail which I barely notice - will drive someone else nuts. It actually makes you wonder how any of us manage to get along in this world, since there's much bigger issues out there to disagree on!

So. WHY did I do it?

Well, I was planning to add some embellishment to the back of the wrap. I'd been thinking along the lines of a row of buttons along the seam. Or maybe a decorative cross stitch seam. Possibly even some surface crochet swirls. The wider band allowed me to play around with embellishing, without interfering with the stitch pattern.

As it turned out, working with such a colourful yarn - I didn't really need details like that in the back. I know because I tried. It was definitely overkill. So I added tassels on the front instead... Yep. Couldn't help myself. It HAD to have something!

And now for the big question. Can the wrap be made without that band?

Of course it can.

Have a play around with the pattern.

You could work side one with just one row of sc after the tall dtr row. Then fasten off. On side two, work the tall dtr row, followed by one row of sc and one row of dc. Then fasten off. It might not make sense to you now - but when you reach that part of the pattern it will.

Or someone suggested that you could work a zig-zag join between the two pieces, which would mimic the "dtr, ch 2" row... Now that's damn clever, and I think I'll have to test it out and maybe alter the pattern. Very clever indeed!

See. Questions are not a bad thing. In fact, sometimes they lead to a better end result.

And that is brilliant...

Now. Any more questions?

Onarum Wrap

So you might remember that I run a Monthly Challenge over in my Ravelry Group. Each month I release a new pattern for the group to work on together. The pattern is FREE for that month only, and then the fully tested version is available for sale after that.

It works well for me, because I get lots of you testing my patterns for me. It means that the kinks are all ironed out before the pattern goes on sale. It also means that there are lots of completed projects up on Ravelry for everyone to be inspired by. Maybe people don't like the yarn I've used in the sample - well, they can peruse all the other projects to see how the pattern works in different yarns - the ones that you guys have used...

It works well for you guys, because you get a FREE pattern. Plus, it's always fun to work at the pattern at the same time as a bunch of others. You can encourage one another and bounce ideas around. You'll be inspired by what everyone else is working up, and receive wonderful feedback too.

The really cool part is that I choose my favourite finished item each month... and if you're the "winner" then you suggest what I should design for the next challenge. How FABULOUS is that? You tell me what to create!

This month I was asked to design a wrap using only one skein of yarn... I've used Murano from Bendigo Woollen Mills, and those long stretches of colour have really worked up a treat. Best of all, it only uses one ball of yarn - so there's hardly any ends to weave in when you're finishing off! Gotta love that...

If you like what you see here, and want to join in the Crochet Challenge this month - come on over to my Ravelry Group for more details.

It doesn't take long to make either... I emailed some patterns out earlier today, and one lady has ALREADY posted photos of her finished project. Juanita - you are a STAR!

And if you wouldn't wear a wrap, it works well as a scarf instead...

Maybe you know someone who'd love one for Christmas?

It's ME... Honest it is!

Okay.

So I know that it's been a long time since my last post. Like a super-duper-incredibly-crazy long time...

But here I am. Finally ready to blog again - and Google won't let me in to my account!

Usually I just scoot on in from my laptop here, and I am REMEMBERED.

But not this time. This time there were passwords to be recall and verification codes to be confirmed and reconfirmed. There were even texts to my mobile - which in itself was a right nuisance, since my signal here at home is more than slightly crap...

But never mind. I am here now, and hoping that if Google remembers me - then maybe you will too!

So what has been keeping me from you?

I'd love to be able to tell you that I've been "head down, bum up" slaving away at a series of soon-to-be published craft books for you to be inspired by... but it's just not true - YET!

Want to know what I have been doing?

STUFF.

Just stuff.

Nothing big, or bold or interesting.

Just everyday, run-of-the-mill STUFF.

There's been painting and gardening, cooking and cleaning, and all manner of mothering duties! Raising a toddler and a teenager at the same time - with a couple of in-betweeners... There's never a dull moment, and just when you think you've got a moment to yourself? Bazinga!

But I promise I'll be back tomorrow.

Junk Mail and a Really Cool Surprise

There's a Federal Election just around the corner... and day after day the letterbox is filled with voting paraphernalia. It's horrendous to think about just how much money must be wasted on this paperwork. I'm sure that ours is not the only household where those forms all find their way directly to the recycle bin...

But underneath today's glut of political nonsense, there were some fun surprises...

First of all were the samples I ordered for my new roller blinds. It always fascinates me how many different shades of WHITE there can be! And I'm so excited to finally be ready to order new blinds. When we first looked through this house EIGHT YEARS AGO... I declared that the window furnishings were hideous, and we agreed that they would be the first thing to change when we bought the place. Oh well. We'll get there eventually!

The other fun arrival was this Crochet Calendar for 2014. It's one of those pattern-a-day ones, where each time you turn over for the next date, you find a new pattern.

But here's the really cool part...

My "Callipo the Very Naughty Monkey" pattern is inside.

And he won FIRST PRIZE...

So I also have a cheque for US$500.

Yipee!

Maybe I can buy those new blinds sooner than I thought...

Instead of a Bathroom Owl...

First up, let me just say that none of these owls photographed today were made by me...


They are both based on my "Irsia the Bathroom Owl" pattern.

Remember I was saying that you don't HAVE to make the toilet lid cover... but instead use your imagination to turn it into something else.

This first one was made by Dawn - and I'm loving the blue orange combination of colours. I don't use them very often myself, mostly because I seem to forget how effectively they work together... but the blue background really allows the orange to go POP, and I love that. By Dawn's own admission, she doesn't always know what she's doing when it comes to colour choices - but she really got it SPOT ON with this one!

Dawn's owl isn't completely finished yet. I actually think it looks fabulous just the way it is, but don't tell her that - because I want to see what else she has up her sleeve.

Now it's only been a week since I sent out the pattern and we already have our first finished entry! How fast was that?

This one is created by Kathy...

I would never have dreamed to do this, but Kathy combined her painting skills with her yarn skills - and designed a canvas background for the owl to perch in. They complement one another beautifully... and you would certainly never think that the original pattern was for a toilet cover, would you?

Some people are working with strips of fabric to crochet their owls, and are planning to create floor rugs with them. I've heard whispers about a plan for a baby blanket... and maybe even a bag. I love watching these things evolve!

If you're starting to think that you might join in the challenge with us - head on back to my original post for all the information you'll need. We'd love you to join in the fun!

I should probably sharpen my pencil...

I might be creative in a number of other areas - but I'm the first to admit that sketching is REALLY not my thing...

But regardless of how average the drawings are - it often helps you process your thoughts, if you can just jot down your basic concepts...

No one else needs to see them. Unless you're going to be a fool like me, and blog about them for all the world to see!

Meanwhile, I'm just toying around with some ideas for something a little different than my usual style...