Spikey Crochet Vessel with Lid

I'm busy with my crochet exploration - I've mastered a few basic stitches but have LOADS to learn. I LOVE CROCHET! I've done a few scarves for my kiddies as its getting cold now here in NZ. Doubt they will wear them though.

This is one of my recent vessels - crocheted wool with wet felted details, including pink 'spikes'. It also incorporates sari yarn which is made in Nepal using recycled fibers from the sari manufacturing process in India.

I like making pots as they are fun to keep things in and I can just freeform crochet! I'm not great at following a pattern (or actually following any type of direction) - I can never remember what I have just done or where I am!

I am also now totally addicted to buying yarns - there are some amazing handspun yarns out there (I love drooling over the website Material Whirled - www.materialwhirled.com) they have a fantastic selection of handspun yarns by very talented spinners.

I so want to learn to spin my own yarn......maybe have my own cute little dreadlocked alpaca in the garden....

Recyled Sari Yarn

I bought this FABULOUS recycled silk Sari yarn from Yarn Traders in New Zealand (who import it from Nepal).

About this fab yarn........

"The yarn is made from the scrap silk, and other fibres, produced as a bi-product of sari manufacture and other silk production in southern India. The colourfast industrially dyed remnant fibres are brought into Nepal and distributed, via women's cooperatives, to disadvantaged women. Spinning and knitting the yarn enables the women to earn a much needed small income from their cottage industry.

The yarn is hand spun, either by charka, drop spindle, or wheel, into gleaming hanks ready for export or use in local garment manufacturing. Because it is hand spun each hank is unique, and there are no dye lots. In addition, the yarn varies in thickness and contains some overtwisted areas. As a consequence of the village conditions where the yarn is made it carries a slight musty smell. In addition, you may also come across the odd piece of straw or leaves. Simply remove any "foreign objects" as you go along! The yarn handles washing well."

For this pot - I crocheted the sari yarn with some beige wool and did a lid using pink wool with sari yarn edging and some 'spirals'. Plus some spotty wood bicone beads.

This little fella is only about 7cm high.

So far my daughter has claimed all the crochet vessels I've made to put her 'bling' in - but I may put them on my website anyway. Maybe....