Plastic Yarn

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I quit crochet a few years ago– that was entirely intentional. For many different reasons I decided to hang up my hooks: the main one being I had hit a wall in the creative journey of it all. I crocheted like a madwoman in my 20s, finishing over 30 blankets that were full or even king-sized (and that was just the blankets!) I learned to create my own patterns, create without a pattern, attempt any stich arrangement, Tunisian crochet, Irish lace crochet, amigurimi, and even freeform. Could I have gone further– I’m sure, the parabola never fully reaches zero– but it felt like I had finally exhausted the art form. I like to learn new things, and challenge myself. The crochet also became a very addictive, almost STIMMING-like activity. I needed to move on if I was to continue to grow as a creative human being.

That’s why I decided to move my focus from fiber back to paper. I returned to my love of drawing from childhood, which has evolved into watercolor and now even oil paints. I am revived, creatively– stimulated by a beginner’s mindset and surrounded by new things to learn. I love it.

But lately I’ve had times where I longed to pick up the hooks again. Particularly in the evening, if I want to watch something on TV. Crochet was the mindless activity that transformed “watching television” into a productive time of my day. I think I could pick up a small crochet project to do in these times– but I dont want to fully jump BACK into crochet.

SO! I found the perfect project. A few months ago I learned that Houston has completely stopped recycling plastic– and I also came across a TikTok of a girl transforming plastic bags into yarn. The lightbulb went off! I have always saved up any plastic bags to use as trash bags, etc. But I save way more than I ever use. I can transform them into plastic yarn! Once I have “enough”, I think I’ll crochet a basket or reusable grocery bag out of it. Turning a plastic bag(s) into a plastic bag!

Mixed Pothos

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My latest experiment is mixing Pothos varieties together, all propagated from my mother plants. Here are two over spilling pots of Neon, Pearls and Jade, and Golden. Only one of the Monstera plants (not pictured) seems to be suffering, she was the smallest so maybe she was just overtaken too quickly.

My Home Jungle

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Every morning, every evening, I come to my little jungle corner, with my parrotlet on my shoulder, and admire all of my beautiful green things.

I am so excited to see all the new growth, every day, little by little: progress is perfection.

Opal’s First Molt

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She started to molt about a week ago– at least that’s what I think. As a first time feathered pet owner I can never be sure of what is expected. But I read online that around 4 months she should molt, and the amount of loose feathers has definitely increased. I am saving them all, of course. So far, only a few contour feathers and one singular flight feather have fallen; the rest has been her downy fluff. She’s been a bit cranky, especially today… it was the first day she made noises nonstop, neither “gimme food” nor “content afternoon” noises, either; this was annoyance, or agitation. At least I think- again, I can never be sure of what is expected.

But I think I am getting to know my little Opal quite well. And i love her very much.

My Office Jungle

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This is what gets me to work every day. I have so many Pothos/Pothos type plants (more later on this nomenclature frustration) and watching them grow is a singular joy. This Golden Pothos was the first propagation I decided to train on a moss pole; she started the obsession, and you can see why. She is so lush, so unbelievably green, and downright tenacious in her vertical ambitions. Every leaf thrown out the top of her node is more spectacular than the previous, and up and down the stalk they all extend their hands toward the light. She has an agenda, and she’s going for it.

Right now, they are bigger than my hand. A new leaf will unfurl; this is reason enough to get out of bed each day. I’m also falling heavily in love with my Cebu Blue (pictured hanging in the back), she perked up with her new aroid mixture.

Cebu Blue (Epipremnum Pinnatum)

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Fresh out of and spilling over the box, with long, dragon-tailed vines dangling to the floor. Her leaves are different to the others- paper-flat, long, silvery-blue daggers pointing downward in their dozens. This one seems to sag under the weight of gravity, rather than float above its influence like a Golden or Hawaiian. I give her a day under the lights to dry out her soil and soak up enough energy before repotting in a 10 inch hanging planter. Six stems were removed for water propagation.

One at home has been pruned back substantially, but the one at the office received minimal pruning and I wrapped it’s vines upward. I suspect this one is a slow grower; watching her unfold, daily check-ins over coffee and watery, early morning light. I can’t wait.

Her scientific name is Epipremnum Pinnatum, but I’ve decided to call her Orion, to keep with the Greek Mythology theme. Another “Pothos that isn’t a Pothos”, but considering even Pothos is no longer considered a true Pothos, well…

My Aroids, my Aureums…