Knitting ... a creative way to meditate

I've always thought that knitting was like yoga ... and i don't mean because you can get tied up in knots with both activities! Knitting forces you to slow down, to take a moment to rid yourself of worrisome thoughts and life's complexities. It forces you to look at many parts and contemplate how they form a whole object. It also forces your brain to 'fire', concentrate and problem solve.

Like Yoga and indeed, meditation, knitting allows you to release stray thoughts that have been 'busying' up your mind. Because you are concentrating on a new task, your worries will move to the 'back burner' in your brain and simmer there. If you simply acknowledge your troubles but cease to concentrate on them, your mind will open and solutions will begin to appear.

The meditative state is easy to achieve while knitting; the rhythmic and repetitive quality of the stitches and the subtle clicking of your needles can actually induce your desired relaxation state.

It's almost like a mantra. I have actually put myself to sleep while knitting. Truly! I was embarrassed but oh, so relaxed!

So next time your troubles, worries and confusing thoughts threaten your peace of mind, pick up your needles, send those troubles to the back burner and ... relax.

Buttons, button, who's got the button?

Buttons.

I'm on the search.

Seems to be mostly American companies.

They say they'll ship (and sell) to Canada but their ordering system will not accept my address ... you know ... not being a state, and all.

Yeessh.

I persevere.

Stay cool.

reeeaallllyyy slouchy ....

So.

You know those really slouchy hats the kids are wearing?

Ok.

So.

I wrote a pattern, knit up a sample.

Hmmm. Now i sound like the kids!

However, it's REALLY SLOUCHY!

Were my needles too large?

No.

Could i be that i knit with too bulky wool?

Maybe.

The style is kinda wacky in the first place?

THAT'S IT!

Don't tell the kids but, shower cap comes to mind.

Come in and see for yourself ...

you might really like it!

Have a lovely long weekend! I'm outta here at 3!

Measure twice, cut once...

Well, this isn't exactly that. But you really should get all your information up front.

Case in point; my rep sent me a notice to tell me that Metallic Sox, a wildly popular sock yarn, was being discontinued. I had 4 colours (5 of each colour) and only have two left.

So i send rep an email; "This is excellent! What an opportunity! And on sale too! Send me a bag of each colour."

I did not know that they had twelve colours.

Would have been a good question to ask, huh?

My mistake - your good fortune.

Berroco Metallic Sox yarn on sale - regularly $14.99 - Now $11.99

'cause i've got some extra ...

.. must be spring cleaning time...

What is this?

Warren's Birthday Present.

It's a cardigan.

His birthday was February 18th.

It's Debbie Bliss Como - Cashmere and wool.

Pattern from Debbie Bliss 09 Winter Magazine.

Nice, eh? Late, eh?

..TA DA!!!!!

AND HERE IT IS, BOYS AND GIRLS!

The best market bag ever - people will stop you in the streets, they will stop you in the mall, they will stop you in Vince's!

It's a quickie doodle project done in a weekend - mercerized cotton is what gives it it's strength and the vibrant colours give it it's "cool factor."

Pattern is here. Cotton is here. Why aren't you?

They were wrong. It is easy being green...

... Lookeeee!

Is it a Market Bag?

Is it a Beach Bag?

Is it a ... (wait for it) ... a KNITTING BAG?????

This is the easiest all purpose bag ever! Do one band of colour a night; i started the green base on Saturday at the shop, finished it before dinner and picked up my stitches for the sides. After dinner i knit the first colour band - hot pink (while watching Amelia - did you see it?). I knit on Sunday after we went for a nice family walk; colour = orange. Monday, picked up the yellow and knit that band. Tonight - finishing with 6 rows of green and doing the i-cord handles.

(colour co-ordination, eh?)

P.S. Do you see the fire in the background? Did you notice the date? Is any one else climbing the walls waiting for summer.?

R-E-A-L-L-Y! Not even kidding. (just got a manicure - phew.)

and here come the sides ...

Happy Mothers Day all!

I am spending this very cold afternoon (did anyone else wake up to snow??) knitting away on my market bag - i love these hot colours! But you could just as easily do it in cool colours - or even neutrals!

This is going to be a class - stay tuned.

Happy Birthday Christopher!

Okay - you eco people ...

... it's time to put your money where your mouth is.

Whip up and take it to the market ... no more plastic!

This is an illustration of the pattern; clear as mud, yes?

I'll show you my progress as we go ... here's the beginning of the base!

Well, i said i would ...

Happy Mumma's Day!

Have you got your mumma' a gift yet? No? How about this wonderful lacy scarf?

Knits up in 3.5 hours on 8 mm needles - quickie doodle! You've still got time!

AND, because we have such a great relationship ... here is a gift from me to you ... the pattern!

Mothers Day Scarf

Materials: Bali x 2

8mm Needles

Makes a scarf about 5.5" wide - you may make it as long as you like - longer is better!

1. Cast on 19 stitches - to make it wider you may add more stitches, just make sure

you have an odd number of stitches.

2. Knit 6 rows in garter stitch

3. K1, *yarn over 3 times, k1. Repeat from * across row (you will end up with a knit stitch)

4. Knit the next row, dropping yarn over's off the needle as you go.

5. Knit another 3 rows.

6. Repeat rows 3 - 5 until the scarf is as long as you want.

7. Cast off LOOSLY.

Add fringe if you wish.

What to do when the weather turns ...

We knit! We just knit small projects ... i'm knitting a beautiful hot pink bamboo drop stitch scarf - so easy that i expect it to be done tonight! Stay tuned for the picture tomorrow!

I have finally whittled away at my UFO's; i finished the teddy bear for Anna, i completed 4 more knitted knockers and ... well that's all. But it's better than last weeks completed projects.

Here: A Challenge.

We have an increasing need for Knitted Knockers. I am down to my last pair ofKnitted Knockers and more and more women are learning about our fab project. SO. Here's the deal. You knit 2 Knitted Knockers (pattern available on my website), drop them off and i will GIVE YOU a $10 gift certificate. Think about it - it's a win/win situation. Our ladies are helped and you are, in effect, paid.

(If you are depleting your stash for knitted knockers, remember no wool or scratchy acrylic. Bamboo, cotton and soft acrylic work nicely.)

What say you? Are you up to the challenge?