The case of lost postal mail.

Lots of news.

Firstly, Whipup showcased my two baby sweater patterns. Here and here. I got the biggest (pleasantest) surprise when I got emails from friends saying that they "read" about me. Really? Gee.

Am I now officially famous? Humor me.

Secondly, I am in India! Got here yesterday morning. More updates as the month passes.

Thirdly, the South Asian Crafters swap at Ravelry. My swap partner, Josie, made me this beautiful lace scarf--it is going to be perfect for this fall. I love purple, and cant knit lace. This scarf is just perfect for me. Again, thanks Josie!





And this is what I made for Josie. Which never reached (!) It was returned to me the first time, and the second time, it was sucked into the postal mail black hole. I am still grieving. Why, tell me, why? Anyway, I am going to make something else for Josie and mail in the next coming month.



The project consists of a place-mat and four coasters crocheted with good old hardware twine. The twine is a killer on the fingers, but the finish is just amazing. Suketu wondered where I bought the place-mat, so thats a really good verdict.



I got the pattern for the place-mat from one of the volumes in an old crafting series I collected years ago--Stitch by Stitch. Published in the 1980s, sadly the series is now out of print. The coaster pattern is from Crocheting School--it is the pattern for crocheting in a spiral. The stitches in both the mat and the coasters are made in the back loop, so as to get a flatter, more stable surface.



I have never added beads on a knitted/crocheted project. I sewed on beads on the mat edge and added some at the end of the coaster spiral--I think the beads have their own whimsical personality. All in all, this was a fruitful project. ('Tea-Time" comes to mind). I just wish it was more fruitful by actually getting to its destination! Well.





Pattern:
Place-mat from the Stitch-by-Stitch Series (published in the 1980s)
Coaster design (how to crochet in a spiral) from the book Crocheting School
Yarn: Local Hardware Twine
Hook: 6mm

Decor for your hands

You will not believe it. I finally have projects to show and the weather here has been gloomy. No photographs, and so no craft related blog posts.



Anyway, it is a good time to address some old questions. I received some emailed after I posted these pictures last year -- about the "color" on my hands.









Thats Mehendi. A beautiful way of decorating your hands and feet. One needs tons of creativity and a steady hand. For best results, ie, for a rich, dark-brownish maroon color:

1. Get it done about two days before your event (I could do it only a day before). The color deepens over time.
2. Once dried, with cotton balls, periodically dab a concoction of lemon juice and sugar. Also, heat your hands over a low-flame lit stove top. Its all about the color, baby!
2. Leave on the henna overnight. Longer the better.
3. Have no contact with water during this time. Or any liquid. If you have to, once the henna has dried, tie plastic bags around your hands and feet. Yes, I know. Taking a shower this way is tricky, but there are crazier lengths people go in the name of beauty. Or obsession.
4. Some people suggest that once the henna has dried, to tie plastic bags around your hands and feet (that is, when you are not in the shower or brushing your teeth). You DO NOT want to do that. This leads to sticky wet hands...and you do not want any contact with sweat (aka water!). When you go to bed that night, the dried henna is going to flake off and make a mess on your sheets. So spread out an old sheet you are ready to give up on.
5. Next morning, rub off the henna. Vola. Stare at your artwork. It is only going to get better. Dont get alarmed if the color on your feet, back of your hands, and arms turn out lighter than the palms of your hands. Thats normal.

Of course, I am sure there are a thousand more tips out there. Please feel free to add in the comments section.

My talented cousins-in-law were the artists. I wanted a super intricate, Indian-style design (I think broadly, there are two styles--Arabic and Indian. Of course, there are further divisions in terms of region, etc). These are pictures during and right after the Mehendi was applied. When it is wet, it looks like "gunk". Suketu thought it was the final result, and kinda freaked out. The next day, he was happily taken aback.