A picture is worth a thousand tiny pieces of yarn.

I think I have decided what my next kick is going to be: latch-hooking! I did a couple of hooked rugs and pillows when I was in middle-school, and I remember it being super easy, fun, and relaxing. If you're not familiar with the craft, here's a quick overview: You start with a piece of open-weave mesh (with big holes), and you use this special thing called a latch-hook to pull little bits of yarn through the mesh. The latch-hook ties each piece of yarn to the mesh on its way through, and you end up with what basically amounts to shag carpeting. It was pretty popular in the 1970s. Here's an example of one:


Of course, you can do any image or pattern you want, but what excites me is the potential to experiment with materials, and really push the texture aspect of the medium. Imagine using several different yarns of similar color, but of all different thicknesses and textures. (Great way to use leftover bits of yarn, since the lengths can be short!) What I really want to do is throw in some other materials instead of the yarn. I've got a few old t-shirts laying around that could probably be cut into tiny swatches in the course of one episode of Lost. Old worn-in tees sure would make a soft pillow.

I bet you can hook anything that can be made into little strips. What could you make out of rubber bands? A shaggy potholder?? (The grip would be nice and firm, but I need to experiment with the heat-resistance!)

Well, I guess it's time to see if I still have my old hook somewhere...