Just a few of my favorite knitting/crafty podcasts:
Yarngasm
Knit Picks
Lion Brand Yarncraft
iMake
Lets Knit2gether (video)
Anyone have others to recommend?
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The Tao of Knitting
Of all the skills I've learned, outside of reading, knitting is my favorite. This weekend I did my first hand dyeing of yarn in coffee and ended up with a beautiful caramely yarn. I'm using it to make a pair of fingerless gloves for me, but am designing them by the seat of my pants. This makes me happy.
I notice when things get chaotic or stressful or even sad, I pull out my knitting. When things are happy, exciting and joyous, I pull out my knitting. When I get to create a gift for a new baby, I really think that my joy and excitement is knitted into the fabric. This is the same for presents for my friends and family. All of these gifts are things I hope are understood and loved. When someone takes the time (and it is time!) to knit a gift, it's because they think there is nothing out there, already made, that deserves the person it's made for. A homemade knitted gift deserves a special person to be with.
When things are not so good, my knitting comes out to help me think. The fabric doesn't absorb my worries, instead it helps me work through the fears and worry. Knitting is truly a zen-like experience and gives my brain a chance to figure out next steps, figure out what to say to someone, figure out just how to be and to act. I believe that knitting is the closest to meditation that I've been able to get to in a long time. For a brain that never shuts up, it certainly quiets down when I'm knitting. The chatter is gone and there's nothing but focus.
Now back to some focus....
I notice when things get chaotic or stressful or even sad, I pull out my knitting. When things are happy, exciting and joyous, I pull out my knitting. When I get to create a gift for a new baby, I really think that my joy and excitement is knitted into the fabric. This is the same for presents for my friends and family. All of these gifts are things I hope are understood and loved. When someone takes the time (and it is time!) to knit a gift, it's because they think there is nothing out there, already made, that deserves the person it's made for. A homemade knitted gift deserves a special person to be with.
When things are not so good, my knitting comes out to help me think. The fabric doesn't absorb my worries, instead it helps me work through the fears and worry. Knitting is truly a zen-like experience and gives my brain a chance to figure out next steps, figure out what to say to someone, figure out just how to be and to act. I believe that knitting is the closest to meditation that I've been able to get to in a long time. For a brain that never shuts up, it certainly quiets down when I'm knitting. The chatter is gone and there's nothing but focus.
Now back to some focus....
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