The bag lady

It started with a walk on the beach with my husband in 1985. A very sparkly stone caught my eye. I picked it up.

sparkling_stone

Less than a year later Volker was dead. I kept the stone close, a reminder of happier times. At some point in time, I don’t remember which summer, but I’m certain it was at Miller Lake, I decided to crochet a little bag for the stone so that I could wear as a pendant.

crocheted pendantsBut that wasn’t the only cool stone I had. So I keep on crocheting little bags. I gave many of them away.

Then I got my first iPod. I love listening to audiobooks, but not all my clothes have convenient pockets. So I decided to crochet a little bag for my iPod nano, that, as it is so light, I could wear it around my neck. Of course, one colour would never do. I have many. 🙂

crocheted bags for iPod, coins
crocheted bags for iPod, coins, other treasures

And that isn’t the only thing I might want to put into a pocket. What do you do when you walk the dog and want to take your cell phone, but don’t want to carry a bag? I, of course, crochet another bag. The wonder of it is that it is custom sized. When I get a new phone, I make new bag; the old one is bound to come in handy sometime. Some I make with a long strap to wear over a shoulder and some without the strap, just to protect it in my purse.

crocheted bags for iPod touch, cell phone, poop-bags,
crocheted bags for iPod touch, cell phone, poop-bags,

And speaking of walking the dog, I found those hard plastic poop-bag holder very annoying and rather heavy when clipped to the leash. A little crocheted bag — I like to use elasticized yarn — is so much better! It even hooks nicely onto a cellphone bag.

Ah, but the bags keep getting bigger. Can you have too many bags?

Crocheted purse
Crocheted purse

Tapestry bag
Crocheted bag using the tapestry technique

Crocheted backpack

Really, there is a crocheted bag for every purpose!

 

2-seater glider

My little dog is such a cuddle-bug, she really likes to be close. One of the difficulties on being in my balcony garden is that Billie couldn’t sit beside me, and I couldn’t do anything if she was in my lap — it was always easier just to move back inside.

Last night I bought a 2-seater glider. In a box. Assembly needed.

I spent almost 2 hours on it last evening. Had to do almost everything twice, because I didn’t do it right the first time. Then at 9:00 pm I quit, it was getting too dark. At least the base was together.

I tried again this morning, but I just wasn’t able to get the seat attached. I wasn’t strong enough to pull the fabric tight and get the bolts in place at the same time. Thankfully, my Beloved Man was coming over. Together we finished the task. I am so happy with the results.  So is Billie.

2-seater glider
my new 2-seater glider

Billie’s New Sweater

Billie's new sweater

I didn’t really like the fit of the first sweater I did for Billie. I found various patterns on websites for dog sweaters, including how to measure your dog to custom fit. However, in the end I just crocheted, tried on, adjusted throughout. I finished it, took the doggie for a walk and decided to modify it. Now I have a sweater that fits well.

I used Sidar’s Click #2147 Aran with wool for the collar and cuffs and Cascade yarn’s Heathers #8013 (100% Peruvian Highland Wool) for the body, both picked up in the clearance section of Mary Maxim. I crocheted the body in a alternating single and double pattern to give it a nice texture and density.

Istarted the project using the #8 bamboo crochet hook I bought in Cupertino in January; however, before the remake Miss Billie stole the hook and chewed it to bits. I was not pleased! I couldn’t find my 4mm hook so used a 3.75 to finish the project.