A rectangle 12 inches by 32 inches was turned into a string bag using the gathering technique outlined yesterday and will be taken for a test stroll on errands later today.
This is made from a strand of Italian mohair/wool/polyester blend and a strand of an English Hayfield acrylic and nylon blend held together in the Purse stitch on # 17 needles. The exuberance of the former and the organic grassy look of the latter makes a nice combination and both have strength due to the synthetic content which is what is needed in a string bag on hefty duty.
The fibre offered a wonderful opportunity for sculpting in the knitting and crocheting process, both of which occur in this bag. It can happen with smooth fibre but the camouflage aspects of these yarns encourage and invite it.
As in working with clay where pure expression happens when the mind releases and lets the fingers and hands take over the bringing about of the intent, so too is possible with fibre. It's feeling for the next stitch more than looking how to place it; it's trusting in the touch; it's being willing to let go of the urge to stop and compare sides or count stitches or hold up the item and see how it looks in the midst with the idea that maybe something needs correcting. It's giving in to that expanding bubble of the creative process. It's becoming aware that allowing for that path is so very right and satisfying.