A eureka moment

There are times when I look at someone’s work and give a long sigh thinking that it is impossible for me to complete such a huge project. There are times when I also begin a project with great fanfare and just abandon it, or frog it to start another mega project. During one such phase, I sent an email to a designer expressing a desire to test her pattern. I had forgotten about the email and went about drooling at other people’s work, when out of the blue she replied asking me if I would be interested in testing a table spread pattern of hers. I was elated and jumped at the offer. After sending her a sample swatch I was in.

I took close to two months to complete the squares joining as I went. Lo and behold I finished it and it was a record of sorts for me. However, her design wasn’t published and she sent my work back to me. I don’t know if she was as disappointed as I was on her pattern not being published. I even shed copious tears in the confines of my restroom and came out bleary eyed much to the consternation of the people around me.

This is the first and last mega project I embarked on. Though I have lined up some large projects for the future, this is the one which will remain close to my heart.

Haekel beutel sees the light of day

I was on a blogging break and am back with a bounty. I have increased my stash, finished a couple of projects which was not seeing the light of day. I also went on a stashaholic spree and acquired nylon cords for future bag projects, bag handles and threads for doilies.

And last but not the least I met a lady (age 70 plus) who crochets, but can’t to this day read any pattern and doesn’t know the name of any crochet related stitch. I have known her for over twenty years and was in touch with her on and off,  but never knew that she was doing crochet without knowing the names of her stitches. She photo copies some pictures of doilies from the Ondori book and seeing the pictures makes her doilies. She says she is confused with the diagram of the pattern and she finds the picture easier. This time when she gifted me a small pouch I was so surprised that this lady makes these bags and table cloths (medium sized) and is also selling her work.

The reason she gifted me this bag was because I had mentioned in passing that the string I had made for my bags hadn’t turned out well. Immediately the next day she visited me with this bag made out of some scrap thread in her stash. The pattern for this bag is entirely hers. She doesn’t give a lining to these but she lines all her clutch purses. I now have to figure out her pattern and write it down.

In return I taught her how to make the Haekel beutel bag. I have no doubt she would gift me with one the next time I visit her. 

While holidaying, I finished the Haekel beutel and a pinwheel doily.

The Haekel…. was done with Anchor Knitting Cotton, which according to me is slightly thicker than size 10 thread. I lined it before joining the squares.  I am not entirely satisfied with the bag because it sags.  

I am very pleased with my doily which I made with size 10 thread from a lesser known brand called Chain 10. Though I haven’t starched or blocked my doily, it has stayed in shape and is quite stiff.