Crochet Lace

Crochet is one art which I love but don't have much practise. I used to create at one time-though not much complicated designs. I preferred working with wool as it was less strenuous and easy to complete. But working with cotton yarn is not my forte. 

I have bought some yarn now with the intention of taking up it once again and mastering it at least to some extent.  I should show my stash-for a person who doesn't have time to pursue all these, I have so much enthusiasm :).

Just recovering from my illness and still not very strong but one thing that motivates me is shopping for craft supplies. Yesterday my sis wanted something and I pitched in with her to go shopping. Though I was not able to walk around much, I picked up some very beautiful things.

Anyway one of them was this lace. Though I can make my own I somehow can't resist buying. After all the ladies who create this come from very poor back grounds. With the advent of machine made laces hand made ones have been badly hit in India. So I just buy as much my budget allows.

                 Crochet Lace

I also bought a smaller one. But by the time I was choosing this I was so rest less and in pain that I ended up buying the same design. Well its OK- it would be matching ones.

Here is the smaller one.

                   Crochet Lace

My sis bought many laces and some zardosi work. I could not photograph them as she was in a hurry. Let me see I will try to post those too.

Friday-Free Patterns

Swan Motif 

Its Friday and time for a Free Pattern. It is a Swan or "Hamsa/Hansa" or "Raja Hamsa" the royal swan. Its gait is supposed to be beautiful and many a poet equates a beautiful damsel's gait with that of a Raja Hamsa. 

Hamsa or swan has inspired our textile designers. Last time it was from a block print. Now this is from a woven motif-woven with zari or gold thread as a border on one of my mom's saris. Here it is:

     Swan or Hamsa Motif

Now this a classic or traditional Indian motif handed down over generations as a sculpture on temples or woven on textiles or may be painted on paper or fabric. This motif can be used for block printing, painting or embroidery.

I hope you like this. I would love to have your comments, suggestions, preferences if any on these patterns please....Keep a watch there are some surprises to be shared with you all..

Batik on Silk

I have had this silk sari for some time now. In fact it is quite old. It is one of my favourite. Me and my sis both bought the same sari-her's was baby pink. She wore it down with in two-three years. But mine is still there. In those days it was called paper silk. It is very simple and sober, so I selected it at that time. I wear it now and then but rarely.

Here it is:

The sari is covered with these motifs.

This is border at the bottom and a part of pallu.

This is how the pallu looks.

I feel I should embroider or do something to give it a revamped look. the silk is thick enough to hold it. Any suggestions of how I can improve it and change its look so that I can wear it like a new one?

If it is to be embroidery, which stitches/ Should I highlight the design or cover it off/ whether to use matching coloured thread or contrasting if so which colours? 

Or is it better to make it into a quilt?

So many thoughts are in my mind but I am not able to decide. Can some one help me please?