The Third Dimension....

Did you ever try to explain 3-D to someone that insists that you don't need glasses because everything is already in 3-D? That's Tessie. While I was working on a New Year's party apron that she insisted that she needed, she found the 3-D glasses that we had to wear to view the movie yesterday.

She kept peering through the lens and saying in a puzzled tone, "Nope. Everything still looks the same. Even the TV." It is impossible to tell her about anything that you can't demonstrate.

I gave up and decided it was time for a face lift for the blog. She had to have her say and after three tries, we agreed on the one that you see now. I am not sure how long it will last. Neither one of us were satisfied. It was a compromise and you know how Tessie compromises. Her blog, her rules.....Wait a minute. When did this become her blog?????

Anyway, after I got her out of my hair, I decided to continue with experimentation.

I have been doing loop work spirit bags for years. I didn't see why the same technique couldn't be used for mini rugs and/or bags in different threads.

I started with some #3 Perle cotton. It is really too big, but I wanted to take a few photos as I went along so I did the first bit with that.

Loop work is the same as buttonhole stitch in embroidery, but it is done in a continuous manner adding a row of loops to the row below, thus making a "fabric" as you would with knitting or crocheting.

I learned this technique from Piecework magazine back in their Jan/Feb issue in 1994. I just went to their website and, lo and behold, the original article is there! http://www.interweave.com/needle/projects/Treasure-Pouch.pdf

If you want to try it, please go follow their instructions...They are much better than mine would be.

If you follow them exactly, you will get a bag. I you keep increasing every row like the bottom of the bag, you will get a flat piece that will grow into a rug.

Here you see three rows and I am about to start on the fourth row. It comes out in a hexagon shape if you do it in the manner of the bag bottom. I have done larger bags with this stitch and larger yarn. It is fun to do because it is mainly mindless work. Once you get going it is just round and round.

Let me know if you try it. I would love to see what other people do with it.

Tessie is yelling at me about the "blasted glasses" that don't work, from the other room. I guess I should go and try to explain again.....and again.....and once more.

See you tomorrow.