Ad-Libs and Free-Forms

So I finally finished my clothes pin bag and I think its quite lovely--if I do say so myself.

Finished Bag

The wee clothing is my contribution to the wonderful world of free-form crochet.  For some reason, I lost the pattern for the clothes (but rest assured I did find it again).  Since I was in a hurry at the time, I only grabbed my yarn and hook.  So when I had the time, I  "ad-libbed" my wee clothing, crocheting shapes that vaguely resembled a dress, a pair of pants, a t-shirt and a skirt.  If it didn't look right, I'd rip it out and start again.  Not bad, eh?

Dress and Pants



T-shirt and Skirt

My other modification was the trim along the edges.  When I joined the sides and top, I used single crochet in a contrasting colour.  Then I worked reverse crochet to add a little decorative touch to the edge.  I think its a nice finishing touch.

Bag Filled with Clothes Pins

After I filled my new bag with my clothes pins, I realized two things:

• I'm so glad I lined the bag 'cuz there's a fair amount of stretching (probably 'cuz I used double-crochet instead of just single-crochet);
• I own a lot of clothes pins

I can finally say "good-bye and farewell' to the  ol' plastic bag.  May you find renewed peace and purpose in the recycling pile.

Laundry Love

I know: who truly loves laundry?  But its a necessary evil.  However, there is one thing 'bout laundry that I do love: hanging my clothes outside in the sunshine.  There's nothing like putting on a clean shirt that's dried outdoors: smells like sunshine and fresh air.

My Lovely Clothesline

Once the nice weather arrives, I use my clothesline as much as possible (and nice weather is notoriously short-lived in Nova Scotia).  The weather is not always cooperative, but this has been a good year thus far. 

Sadly there is one item that seriously impedes my joy: the ubiquitious grocery bag.

The Grocery Bag

The grocery bag holds my clothes pins.  I use the wooden ones (memories of childhood).  I never leave the bag outside.  Why?  One word: earwigs (ewww and double ewwww.  If you've never met an earwig, then consider yourself lucky).  Despite leaving my bag indoors, it eventually falls apart.  So I decided to make a clothes pin bag. 

Thank heavens for Ravelry where one can easily search for free patterns (there's a link some where on my sidebar).  Seriously, you can find everything from nice to naughty and everything in-between.

Check out this pretty bag from Sukigirl (who kindly gave permission for the use of her photo).  You can check out her blog for more crochet stuff.

Sukigirl's Lovely Clothes Pin Bag
(photo used with permission)

Isn't it pretty?  And ingenious: a bag with a hole that hangs from a sewn-in clothes hanger.  You can find the pattern for the clothesline bag here. 

Sukigirl also includes the patterns for the cute wee clothes on her bag. You can find the patterns for the wee clothes here.  My only other problem is whether to use Bernat's Cottontots or Handicrafter Cotton (as I've got both in my stash).

Decisions, decisions . . .