One of those step-back-and-watch-what-you-are-doing kind of things that gives rather a delightful different perspective on life: another string bag is in the making.
The majority of the bag is that mass to the right of the orange chunky needles – it's hemp yarn knit in the ubiquitous (at least to me) purse or veil or lattice stitch (Yrn fwd, k2tog on an even # of stitches) to give a rectangle about 12" by 18". The plan is to now make a handle in Tunisian crochet which will allow the rectangle to become the front and back of the string bag with the handle looped down on both the front and back and becoming the sides but not doubling across the bottom.
The first trial with the large'ish wooden crochet hook and Tun. crochet looked too big and not enough of a contrast to the front and back. Without ending the yarn the next was to knit in purse stitch but on smaller knitting needles. This gave more of a contrast in size but not enough in texture. Then came the idea to do Tun. crochet with a much smaller hook. Yes.
The process – and here is the part where I know because I was 'watching' – was sequential but with pauses to ponder; a wander outdoors to see what was going on without barriers (I could be feeling a breeze from Japan or seeing a butterfly from Mexico and for sure experiencing the sun unfiltered); hotten up the tea; check the calendar to confirm the time of an afternoon appointment and then write it on my hand in case I forgot again while out on errands; stuff like that. During all this there was the ongoing evolution of the solution to the handle issue. The next three stages. The focus. I like that.
Sort of like being pregnant. You get on with life but you know you are 'under construction'. Last time I was pregnant was thirty years ago but I recall that sensation. The process.
Anyway, the string bag handle is now about 2/3 done. Attaching it to the bag may be a bit of a challenge.