Crochet

Travel Tools and Notions

| Verónica

These are the tools and notions that always go with me in my knitting bag.

From top left to right: (1) Blunt scissors (can’t get through airport security otherwise); (2) Pair of needle point protectors; (3) Stitch markers; (4) Stitch holders in two sizes; (5) Cable needle; (6) Yarn needle for weaving in ends;  (7) Crochet hook for saving dropped stitches; (8) A pen; (9) Stitch counter; (10) Measuring tape; (11) Travel-sized hand lotion; (12) Small cosmetic bag (one of those free gifts with purchase at the cosmetic counter).

What’s in your bag?

Lovely, Beautiful

| Verónica

I had some lovely, beautiful days recently thanks to my fellow bloggers. I received word that Agujas was nominated for the Beautiful Blogger and One Lovely Blog Awards. Thank you to Deep in the Heart of Textiles (a fellow Texan) and Woolhogs (love their logo) for the happy news!

The rules for the awards are: (1) Add the award to your blog; (2) Thank the blogger who gave it to you; (3) Mention seven random things about yourself; (4) List the rules; (5) Nominate 15 (Beautiful) / 7 (Lovely) bloggers; and (6) Inform the nominees by leaving a comment on their blogs.

So, here are seven more random things about me:

  • I had two precious dogs several years ago named Tequila and Vodka.
  • If I had a pet now, it would be a Scottish Terrier and I would call him Scotch.
  • I often wonder why so many knitters and crocheters have cats.
  • I am allergic to cats.
  • I majored in British & American Literature in college.
  • One of my favorite writers is Milton.
  • I can recite (most of) “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe.

Now for the best part – passing on the award. I love discovering new blogs by visiting the sites of other nominees (which, of course, is the whole point).

And the nominees are …

Irenic.Art – I could look at the photos of her handspun yarn all day. They are like works of art. She sometimes berates herself when she’s not pleased with how colors came out (I usually like those the best) and I love her story about saving a hummingbird from unknowingly committing suicide.

Warp and Woof Knitting – Besides being drawn to this blog by the knitting, I also enjoy the nature shots and the whole zen Buddhist philosophy. Oh, and I like Sunshine’s drawings.

Tales of Twisted Fibers – I really like the crochet handbags. They have a very modern look.

Fattoria Fiberworks – I love that she built her own loom and weaves as a form of meditation.

Button Beautiful – I think her crochet blankets and toys deserve an award.

Ten more to come at a later date.

New! Angry Pear – That darn pear makes me laugh. A wonderful series of drawings about an angry piece of fruit.

Soulshine Traveler – Amazing pictures, fantastic locations, and helping others.

El Bueno, El Feo Y El Malo – A picture a day from Aragón and Spain.

Hungry Sofia – Beautiful pictures of food that looks scrumptious.

The Blue Hour – A photo blog. One of my favorite posts is L.A. Cabin Living – what a wonderful place to escape and reflect in.

Live Simply, Travel Lightly – I love this traveler’s spirit of adventure.

This aMACEing Life – Photos from U.S. cities visited by this couple who happen to be on tour with the Broadway show “Wicked.”

The House of Archetype – Lovely artwork and collages accompanied by a poetic sort of prose.

I hope you enjoy these blogs as much as I do.

“40 Under 40: Craft Futures” at the Smithsonian

| Verónica

My husband was in Washington, D.C. recently on a business trip. On his way to a meeting, he saw this:

Knowing I would be intrigued, he inquired about the bicycle. The crochet-bombed bicycle is by the Polish artist Olek, one of the artists to be featured in the upcoming “40 under 40: Craft Futures” exhibit. The exhibit will take place in the Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian American Art Museum from July 20, 2012 through February 3, 2013.

According to the museum’s website, “These 40 artists are united by philosophies for living differently in modern society with an emphasis on sustainability, a return to valuing the hand-made and what it means to live in a state of persistent conflict and unease.”

Amongst other art works in various media, these are some of the knitting and fiber arts-related works you can see and experience first-hand.

Vintage military knitting needles by Dave Cole (image source).

Glass spinning wheel by Andy Paiko (image source). Apparently, this is a fully functioning spinning wheel.

Protest knits by Cat Mazza (image source).

Crochet urban pigeons by Laurel Roth (image source).


Quilted coat by Jeff Garner (image source).

You can read about all 40 artists and view a slide-show preview of the exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s website. Better yet, if you are in D.C., go see it in person. I hope I can.

Weekends With My Grandmother

| Verónica

I would spend hours beside my grandmother (“Welita” – my abbreviated kid version of “Abuelita”) while she crocheted. We lived next door to her when I was growing up and every weekend I would pack my bag, wave goodbye to Mom and Dad, and skip over to her house. We would watch telenovelas while eating sweet bread with coffee. (I’ve been drinking coffee since I was about 7 thanks to Welita, which explains a lot).

She taught me to crochet a long chain of single stitches. I didn’t get further than that but I felt like a grown-up sitting with her while we each worked our crochet hooks and talked about the evening news and whether our favorite characters on the telenovela would end up together. Years later, I learned to knit but missed the rhythm of my hands weaving the yarn with that single hook. So, I picked up a pattern book and taught myself to crochet.

I made this afghan for my son. I wanted something blue, but not baby blue. This rich cobalt blue and the deep brown offset by the white seemed to work.

They say that smells can stir up long-buried memories. For me, crocheting evokes hot afternoons, the smell of coffee brewing, and the buzz of the television at Welita’s house, and it makes me smile.