This project was technique driven. I had thought about making a new rug since we've moved recently to a bigger place but I wasn't sure on the type of technique more materials that I wanted to use. I have made a rug previously using crochet and another using rug tufting (with a rug tufting gun) so I didn't want to repeat those techniques, plus I have a huge stash of material. After researching on YouTube I came across a technique using a toothbrush needle? Hook? I'm still not clear on its official title, but anyway I didn't own one... However after watching the tutorial it looked a lot like basket weaving using quite hefty, durable strips of fabric. And it really was just like basket waving but on the flat, so in the end I used a safety pin instead of this toothbrush device. (Don't be thinking that an actual toothbrush would do the job! If anyone could enlighten me as to why it has this name, please do).
It was great to be able to work on a piece that was larger than my normal projects (I seem to be crocheting a lot of amigurumi creatures at present). It was also great that I didn't have to buy anything yet still made a workable rug! Sometimes my 'use what I have in my craft stash' projects leave me a little dissatisfied because the materials are thrown together, not exactly the right colour etc... But with this project I was really relaxed about the fabric being different weights, colours, quantities, it really didn't matter, and I think that the final result is better off for it.
As silly as it might sound to non crafters, especially non mindfulness crafters, this project came with a very calming soundtrack, and sustainable rhythm as a result.
Perhaps I have mandalas on the brain, this technique can be used to make different shaped rugs, but I chose circular. Well hexagon actually. Which bugs me a bit. Like with crochet, the way to.make ever increasing circles is the actually make hexagons. Is that true? Or is there a special way that I haven't discovered.
The finished piece was better than expected as was the process. It was very easy to stay in the moment because of the size of the piece, the physicality of it kept me involved constantly. I think I have discussed before the relationship between a positive mindful experience and a craft technique when the physical proximity with a project is directly involved. Of course hands are always involved, but opening up the space and working with a piece that requires more spacial presence, eg using the legs to rest the rug on and extending the arms because the strips of fabric are long, made me use more of my senses, senses being an important part of the mindful experience. With it being a relatively free flowing, less restrictive project, I could feel the calmness in my breathing in comparison with some small complex crochet projects for example, where I hold my breath while I fight with the hook and yarn, or count stitches like my life depends on it. Another thing taken care of because of how clear it becomes where to increase the stitches simply because of the larger scale of the project.
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