Sunday, February 25, 2024

Visible Darning and Punching With Angry Eyes

Yesterday more visible mending, the handspun and knitted house socks becoming more darn than sock. I always get out the darning egg, usually find it's too small and end up using my eyeglass case.


While I worked I watched a Ash YouTube weaving episode where they 3D printed their own heddle! To create a commissioned medieval reproduction piece. Ash is a hugely entertaining YouTuber, very much recommended. Makes costume for cosplay LARPS,  social commentary, an every-fiber-art expert, just worth following



and then on to Atomic Shrimp, here cooking items he's foraged. Another channel worth your time, endlessly interested in nature, foraging, cooking, creating items, with a nice little dog, Eva, who takes part in practically everything. And a patient and encouraging wife.


and here's the completed socks ready for wearing again.


I revived my qi gong practice, Eight Pieces of Silk, eight exercises with names like Holding up Heaven with Both Hands, Pulling the Bow, and Punching With Angry Eyes. I like the punching one, great stress reducer for the solar plexus. And you can ki-yip  on that one, that sort of scream that gathers your strength, the kind weight lifters do. 

Happy day, everyone, enjoy screaming and punching if that's where you are today.






29 comments:

  1. I'd like to do tai chi but the few you tube videos I looked at I'm too impatient to sit through 20 minutes of lecture before getting to the exercises. It's been a while since I looked into it.

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  2. Tai chi is a martial art, quite different from qi gong. There are a few superficial resemblances, but tai chi doesn't suit my body or natural rhythms.

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  3. Cats can talk and they don't. That's my opinion.
    We have the same darning egg, the difference being, you actually darn, even if it's with your eyeglass case.

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    1. You may be right about cats. I darn because I need these socks on cold winter floors.

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  4. Qi gong and tai chi forms always have such interesting and evocative names -- love them!

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    1. I don't know any names of tai chi moves, never heard a teacher name any of them, but qi gong names are great.

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  5. I use a light bulb for darning. Frieda and I converse often. Generally itchier telling me what she wants and how I should do it.

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    1. My light bulbs are the twirly leds, not darning worthy. I think cats usually have one way communication. Them to humans.

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    2. autocorrect strikes again. It’s usually her, not itchier!

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  6. Replies
    1. It beats the dull old invisible type that used to be the norm.

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  7. Your socks remind me of Sue patching her vintage kimono together on several mornings a week.

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  8. You always have something new to share, Boud. You make me smile, my friend!

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  9. Have you thought about stitching a couple of leather or felt scraps over those bits of your socks that wear? I'm with Ellen's comment about sitting through the blether before getting to the action. Having taught aikido I'm aware that people have 'climbed a mountain' making the decision to turn up at a beginner class so get them making their first foundation move and do the describing bit after (or while) they have experienced how it feels to them.

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    1. Yarn is the best flexible and comfortable mending material for old tender toes.

      YouTube is full of videos where the presenter can't seem to get on with it, in many contexts!

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  10. I like your Eight Pieces of Silk Qi Gong and will look for it. I have been using (not recently) Shaolin Qi Gong for breathing - I don't think there are 8, but the bow pulling is one of them, so I am looking forward to seeing the version you have.

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    1. I can't find the source again, probably a videocassette long gone. So I'm going from memory. But I expect you can track something down.

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  11. Okay, at first I though qi going is a weaving pattern you are starting. I looked it up.
    I stay home too much. Anyway, I'm reminded that many years ago I created a movement routine that means something to me, Picking Blueberries. I start with a stretch, then a look for blueberries, then pick up basket, and pick blueberries in various places, slowly putting them into the basket. I have fond memories with family doing that as early as 3 years old. So when I do the routine, mind and body are in harmony of spirit.
    I think as creative as you are, you can create a personal routine as well.

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    1. Great idea! Yes, a lot of my moves are memory with added ideas!

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  12. Punching with angry eyes. I think I do that without knowing it lol

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  13. I used to darn for myself and all the friends I knit socks for. I wish I still could.

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  14. Hmmm - punching with angry eyes could be a good exercise when upset about the political news.
    You and Resident Chef are sock darners - I flatly refuse. RC goes through socks like nobody's business and I'd be darning all the time.

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    1. Punching is great for stress reduction. And it's just as well RC does his own darning.

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