Stop Thinking Too Much

It’s alright not to know the answers.

They will come to me when I least expect it.

It may be that when I no longer know what to do, I have come to my real work.

And when I no longer know which way to go, I have begun my real journey.

It’s the dawn of a new day, the beginning of a new me.

The dreams of my heart are sprouting into view.

Don’t give up. Don’t let go. My miracle is at hand.

Today is a magical day.

I choose to make it so.  All is well in my world.

The blue neck warmer is Stratosphere Cowl, designed by Kat Buckspan.  It took only 91 grams of a skein of KnittedWit Cashy Wool (in Winter’s Night colorway)–with 26 grams left unused.   The superwash Cashy Wool is so soft, yummy, and delightful next to skin!

The pattern and yarn are available here.  Stratosphere is a popular knitted project among Twisted’s customers.  If you are in the area, stop by and test drive the shop sample.

We had a fabulous visit to Portland yesterday, mainly to support my 17-year-old who placed 10th–out of 31 flutists–at this year’s 2013 OSAA Oregon Solo State Music Championship.  Hope you enjoy the instant replay.

This may be the last recording of her playing flute in public.  One more solo audition in June–in front of a panel of judges in private session, no parent or other audience allowed–she will then retire from flute and french horn competitions/public performances altogether.  No worry…music is in her blood. She has been composing, singing, playing an acoustic instrument.   Who knows.  Maybe she will let me videotape and share one of her busking adventures this summer.  Talking about summer…what’s your plan for the hot days ahead?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Honoring my Intuition

…I accept my path.

I am healing the body, mind, and spirit.

Start where I am.

Use what I have.

Do what I can.

Sometimes, I’ve got to be able to listen to myself and be okay with no one else understanding.  Oh yeah!

Linde pullover –featuring large heart-shape leaves with pronounced stem and vein–is a very original pattern with unusual construction.  You won’t see anything else like this.  It is worked top down, in the round with a circular yoke.  The increases are invisibly worked in the leaves.  The body is worked in garter stitch.

At the waist, 2 stems emerge that form the I-cord buttonholes and the stem of the pocket leaves.

The lined pocket feature is my favorite part of this design.  I want to showcase it so much that I commissioned special fused glass buttons by my dear friend’s glass-artist sister. The tint of frosty pink was just a perfect match!  I am a happy camper. Check out Cheryl‘s high-quality offerings here.  (I still need to take an update photo with these beautiful buttons on.)

The aran-weight cashmere blend yarn was harder to work with.  However, it provides a nice, deliciously squishy, dense fabric with a little retro touch.  I love my layering top.    Once again, test-knitting for Anne Lernout (aka atelier alfa) is thrilling and satisfying.

Do you have a favorite knitwear designer?  What do you look for in a design/pattern? 

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Quiet the Mind

and the soul will speak.

Become aware of the importance of positive feelings and how they can improve my life.

I refuse to be involved with negative thoughts and feelings.

Upon waking up in the morning, i choose to smile and say to myself silently or audibly: “I am gonna have a wonderful day today. It is going to be a happy and successful day. I am going to stay patient and positive in every situation.”

During the day, I visualize for a few moments some life’s happy recollections and situations, a place I enjoyed visiting or being with genuine folks I adore.

When things make me angry, I wait a few seconds before reacting.

When feeling some despair, anger, unhappiness, or frustration, I try not to succumb to these feelings and let them grow.  Visualize something happy, read something that makes me happy, repeat a positive affirmation, or just try to create some happy feeling inside me.  This might not be easy as the negative feeling might be too strong; yet, I do my best…no matter how many times I might fail evoking a positive feeling.  If I persist, I will be able to change my attitude and feelings.

I may not always control the situations in my life, but, I can control and change my attitude and reactions.  Negative attitude and anger will bring negative conditions.  Positive attitude and positive feelings will improve the situation.  You bet they will.

These days, I do try to show some positive feelings toward people that I don’t like.  Granted.  I don’t need to be their friend, but I can stop being negative and allow some feelings of warmth and understanding.  Strangely, I have been surprised at their attitude and reaction toward me.

I read inspiring quotes early in the morning and repeat affirmations throughout the day such as “I am feeling happy and confident.”  ”It is so pleasant to enjoy positive feelings.”  ”I am getting happier and more positive every day.”

Keep away from negative people is the key for me.  If  I must be with them,  I don’t let their state of mind affect me. Try to be somewhat detached toward them. There is no place for their negativity if I keep filling my mind with positive feelings and thoughts.

When I am feeling down, knitting, spinning, and listening to music is great pick-me-up.

Let myself smile more often, even in difficult situations.  The act of smiling tends to clear the mind of worries, even if temporarily, and wins me the sympathy and support of folks around me.

Watching comedies, reading, and watching happy news work magics too.

Find time for meditation. Among its benefits is the ability to filter the feelings and thoughts that enter my mind. It helps me avoid negative feelings and let in positive ones.

After getting into bed at night, I tell myself silently or audibly: “I am going to have a wonderful day tomorrow. It is going to be a happy and successful day. I am going to stay patient and positive in every situation.”

Now that I kinda know how to create positive feelings, I can get creative and find more ideas to create positive feelings in my life.  How do you create positive feelings?

No Fear Shakespeare.  Nymphadora is another close-fitting sweater blouse, designed by Kessanlin, one of a handful designers I test-knit for with frequency.   The gentle gathers, an empire waist, and slightly bell-shaped sleeves are flattering enough for this plump figure.

I love the fun, clever construction.

The yarn isn’t perfect (relating to gauge) but it’s best I managed to meet deadline in a rush, a week before Christmas.  Most disappointing is the shortage of yarn!  Yep, another pet peeve I encountered: Less weight/yardage than labeled. 9 hanks/50g each, I should have 450 grams in all. Yet, I started out 384 grams with 10 grams left in the last hank. This is the worst amount of shortage I’ve ever had–66 grams–a whole hank plus shortage!!!!

I have a couple more of Louise Hardings’ yarn in my stash; after that, I vow never to buy yarn from this company again!  But, then, I love that yarn…maybe I should bring the scale with me and weigh each one of ‘em before buying.  How about that?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Above Life’s Turmoil

In the storm, I find peace.

In the midst of chaos, I  find calm.

Amid the noise, I find some quiet.

In times of worry, I am assured and given comfort…

For I am loved, blessed, and so very grateful, always.

Seamless Poema in The Fibre Company Arcadia (Wild Onion) is knit from the top down, featuring a pretty, elegant Aran lace pattern on the sleeves.  It looks like lace…cables…but the truth be told, it’s only a simple combination of YO, knit, purl, K2tog & SSK stitches.   Instructions are included for ¾ length and full-length sleeves.

Because of its top-down construction, the body is easily adjusted to various body types.   Besides adding one extra waist decrease, another 2” for torso, waist increase at every 10th row plus one extra increase, I included 1” short-row to front (4 wraps/turns,) matching tucked seam before border to hem and cuffs.  Don’t get me wrong when I modify a pattern, which I often do.  In no way a design flaw…I am just anal about my finishing.

I love Vera Sanon‘s elegant designs and rarely say no to test knitting whenever she posts and/or asks.  Her instruction is simple and clearly written, with great layout.  Should an issue arise, the designer is always available for Q&As…very supportive, thoughtful, and genuinely loving.  Here is a truly super woman of my time!  Besides working a full 40-hour-week as a school teacher, teaching workshops at yarn shop locally and in Las Vegas on weekends, she cranks out at least one new design a week (sometimes more!)

Don’t believe me?  Take time and browse through her 100+ design patterns here.  I am sure you will find at least one project that pleases you.

About the lovely, silky yarn…this is one of my few pet peeves:  Less weight/yardage than labeled.  I’m no mathematics genius.  Out of 7 hanks/50g each,  I should have 350 grams in all.  Right?  Yet, I started out 342 grams with 31 grams left in the last hank.  8 grams or 24 yards less than labeled. Companies like Stonehedge Fiber Mill would have sold this at 30% discount as “irregular.” Nuff said.

What are some of your pet peeves?

How are you doing today/tonight?  My knitting peeps and I had a fabulous field trip to Sisters, visiting The Stitchin Post

and having lunch in Clearwater Gallery.  Yep.  It’s true.  Open Door may not be on the main street of Sisters, but, that’s just one of many attributes that make it so delightful.  It’s a place where I instantly feel at home, thanks to the friendly welcome from manager and staff,

the beautiful decor and tantalizing aromas wafting in from the kitchen.  On my third day of fasting, I gave myself permission to order a cup of roasted carrot and ginger soup.  I was not disappointed!  Neither were my friends with their food.  A warm, inviting place that encourages me to slow down and enjoy meeting friendly residents of Sisters, peruse beautiful art…thank you for the GIFT to the community, Dan & Julie Rickards.

Rest of the afternoon was as exhilarating and adventurous as the first half of the day with Caitlin and my mushroom-guru friend Julie.

Hope you are surrounded by peace, lots of love, and happiness.  Sending you good vibes and warm bright light-from my heart to yours.

Sorry for a flood of posts…I’m catching up on a week’s worth of posts that didn’t go out as scheduled last week.

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

The Beauty of Truth

Whether it’s good or bad, it is liberating

I don’t always need advice.

Sometimes all I really need is a hand to hold, an ear to listen, and a heart to understand me.

Whatever I need, my higher self is always there for me…loving me, guiding me, uplifting me, nurturing me…

 So today, I take time to silence the doubtful mind.

Go within and my gentle whispers will be heard…

Trust for I am never alone. ♥

Neither are you.

Back in early December, just few weeks before Christmas, a package of five–número cinco–glorious shop samples was lost in the mail.  Sad and tough lesson…USPS told me unless it’s shipped Express Mail and it’s insured…I am out of luck!  To-date, I still wonder where they landed…who is fortunate to be blessed with ‘em, someone who really needed to be warm and had no way to have a good Christmas.

I offered to 1) pay for the expensive yarns out of pocket and 2) knit those again free of charge.  The owner accepted none of it.  Instead, she sent out new yarns for two more of Mesh Leaf cowls in Filatura Di Crosa Superior (light teal) and Swans Island Natural Color Merino/Silk (silver.)

Not only the pattern is awesome, both yarn are to die for…luxurious fine, silky, soft yarn are echoed in its sophisticated palette of solid colors.  This floaty, ultra-feminine scarf is heavenly to wear next to skin.  See how easy this beautiful design is…I knitted both two-at-a-time.  One with leaves and the other in plain mesh.  This is my favorite project and yarn of the year!

I made the green and black infinity cowls above (aka Anna’s Cowl) for the older teen for Christmas.  Sadly, they are too feminine for her taste…gotta respect the teenager’s prerogative.  I’ll bet you have your own stories to tell, don’t you?   Good thing:  I love knitting ‘em and are off to charity.

The russet mittens in Knit One Crochet Too Elfin Tweed is a shop sample knitted back in January that took me out of my comfort zone.

Pine Court designed by Shannon Squire is simple with precise instruction.  The cable insert kept it interesting to change up stockinette knitting.  I typically like my mittens snugly fit. But, I’ve come to appreciate these baggy-style of mittens. Lofty and comfy feel to the hands.  It kept me nice and toasty when I was photographing shop samples.

What project(s) and/or event(s) have gotten you out of your comfort zone? (Catching up on a week’s worth of posts that didn’t go out as scheduled…)

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

A Knitting Fast

Day one of my dietary fast was good.  Yes, I had to sneak in a few celery, cucumber, and extra maple syrup intakes throughout the day.   What can I say.  I love food and the hunger pangs is a bear to fan off!

While on the fasting topic, it made me realize–every once in a while–I need to go on a knitting fast too. Some of you may be horrified to hear this.  I did not come to this conclusion easily.  It is certainly not the path of least resistance!

I am a terrible procrastinator and would sit down and knit before I clean or take the dogs and kids out to play.

I put my head into a different space and find stimulation and relaxation in other interests.

It is a shake up of priorities and how I spend my time.

When I see that knitting is becoming more important than my responsibilities and things are going undone, then I ‘ground’ myself for a couple of days so I may re-prioritize.

I have to do the same thing with Facebook, blogs, and Ravelry…though as I write this, the house is a wreck.  I fall into the trap of allowing knitting to be more important than other things I am interested in such as good reading, writing, painting, beading, sewing, etc.

I may be in a unique category…needing to wean off of my attachment to knitting.  It is like a cleansing. I get away from the mindset of my next project, thinking about yarns, etc. etc.

When I come back to knitting, I appreciate it in a whole different way.

I believe it is also good for my body.  Knitting can, overtime, be a source of strain and poor postural habits as so many of us know.

This fasting is not easy…it does take discipline.  A cold turkey fast?  No knitting.  No yarn touching.  No looking at knitted things.  No talking about knitting.  No reading knitting books.  No Ravelry.  No spinning.  No, no, no…I just can’t bare the thought. I am going nuts just thinking about it.  Excuse me, I have to go stroke some cashmere fiber to calm moi down.

Knowing when to stop, look around, and shift gears is part of being well-balanced.  Knitting is such a compulsion. Once developed the obsession, it can absolutely push everything else out of whack.  Yet, it is completely worth it.

With scheduled field trips to Stitchin Post on Thursday and Twisted on Saturday, yarn fasting will have to be delayed…

The seamless, top-down purple sweater Galaxia–shown above–is my latest sweater #12 for this year, another fun design by Vera Sanon.  If you recall, I had to rip 18″ of it out to start over due to gauge misadventure.

I have modified it to a tunic, extended length to neckline and hem in back piece using short-row technique.  The single motif on a sleeve cap and on my hiney–another modification–gives it a playful touch to my lace top.

I couldn’t be happier…Silky Mirasol Nuna is fabulous to handle and wear next to skin.  You will see more of that in my knitwear, for sure.  What’s your favorite yarn for summer knits?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

An Old Life

How many folks reclaim yarn by taking apart old, unloved, un-stylish sweaters?

I’ve done it a few times.  The latest Size L1 bargain from Goodwill will be perfect for a summery knit. The sweater was substantial: 1260 yards/550 grams, light worsted weight-6 ply cotton/silk/bamboo yarn.

It’s a massive amount of work–un-seaming, ripping, frogging, tying into bundles that won’t get tangled, soaking to try to get rid of the kinks, rewinding, weighing, measuring, determining wraps-per-inch, and then finally making something new.  Labor intensive!  Don’t count on making it a day-job, people.

I have an old sweater made about 6 years ago that I hardly wear ‘cuz it has those awful wide, dropped shoulders.  11-skein-worth of Mountain Color Hand-painted, Hand-dyed Twizzle Yarns (85% Merino, 15% silk) in Wildflower colorway.  Guess what I’m thinking of doing.

Are knitters slightly crazy to go through this work or do we just love “free” yarn?

What habits are you creating for your child?

A couple of months ago, I fell and cracked my rib cage in my river trail walk.  For about three weeks, I pretty much kept to bed rest.  Good news…the bruising are gone and the rib cage has since healed.  Bad news?  I have gained unsightly amount of weights that won’t shave off, plus increased toxins level in my system.  Many of these toxins is causing me fatigue, intestinal issues, and constipation.  So, tomorrow, I will start the lemon detox cleanse, a natural way to relieve my body of the toxins.  Adding to my 12-oz filtered water:  2T fresh-squeezed lemon juice, 2T Grade-B organic maple syrup, and a pinch (1/10 t) of cayenne pepper.

If I sound a bit short and cranky, you know why.  My chant over next 3 to 5 days to keep me relatively zen:  I will feel healthier and lose the weight. Have you fast?  What did you do to minimize the hunger/craving?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Wake up…It’s a Beautiful Day!

It really is a relaxing, beautiful catch-up day…sending out lots of love, light and positive healing energy with many blessings to all

after spending an afternoon yesterday watching the 20th Annual High Desert Duel and cheering a friend on in the fencing tournaments.

Way to go, Sawyer Jackson.  Congratulation on the big wins–third in the Under 19 category, twelveth in the Open (any age, any rating,) and first in the Division III (under a C rating.)  What an eye-opening, entertaining experience to certainly shape up a fun and busy weekend.

Another fun thing I did yesterday (hubby rolling his eyes)…I did my best to try and style one of five sweaters knitted this month so that it would look somewhat appealing to a potential buyer.

I find knitting a breeze, but, photographing it a bear. The finished cardigan has been idle for two weeks.

Fortunately, my beautiful/photogenic friend–quilter extraordinaire–made the task much easier.  Doesn’t she have the prettiest smile?!

Something that’s weird–when I look at Ravelry and knitting blogs, most people crop off their own heads when photographing finished sweaters.  I’d always thought it was just a quirky convention and hadn’t paid a lot of attention to it.  When I sat down to edit these particular pictures, I realized the head-chopping-off isn’t just an odd photography style.  Had I not wanted to make a point, I’d most certainly show the headless photo ‘cuz I want you all to oooooh and aaaaah over the lace cardigan and not be distracted by the beautiful model.

But it’s sort of ridiculous, isn’t it?   It is a nice cardigan.  Without a person in it, it’s just pretty lace yarn.  What would my great-great grand kids be thinking someday, flipping through pages of headless pictures of hand-knits?  I can visualize a decedent looking through my flickr photos; saying “My oh my…my goodness, I wonder what was so awful about her face that she always hacked it out?  Did she have some disfiguring disease?”  lol  Hence, I try hard to set my silly hang-ups aside on show my finished garments from head to toes.

Putting the soapbox away though, once I got through the hiccups with front edge and bind-off, this lace sweater came together just as it should.  I wish I had made it just a titch longer, but, I had to knit it as patterned.  It will be nice for the recipient to toss on over long and short sleeved tops for the rest of spring and summer.

Sara Lace, in MadelineTosh Lace (Tart colorway,)  is one of Vera Sanon‘s summer collection series.  I am thrilled to be asked to knit this one up for her.  It’s my first to knit a full-on L1 cardigan (40″ bust) without a body to try for sizing correctness as I knit.

Wish I had thought of using my mannequin during the knitting process…but, she came in handy when I had to block it again.

Yes, hair dryer is good for other things!  What have you used a hair-dryer for besides drying/styling your good-looking hair?

If you’re inspired to make this cardigan or Vera’s other designs, be sure to join this nice group of knitters for support and ideas–they are really helpful!

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

My Bucket

I am a cup, constantly and quietly being filled.

I have spent most of the first quarter of the year filling up my creative well.  So far, I’ve knitted a dozen each of sweaters and cowls, a few shawls, mittens, legwarmers, and hats;

caught up with old friends,

gone for some hikes,

listened to new performances,

and gazed for hours at the many wonders of spring.

My bucket feels full.  It’s time…I hope I’m ready to open the floodgates again.

Here is my composition of a cable cardigan Hello Winter, designed by Connie Peng (aka yellowcosmo)

The collars may be buttoned up and folded over as turtleneck,

or unbuttoned as open collars.

Body’s work in one piece from bottom up.  Sleeves were knitted in round, two-at-a-time, cleverly joined to the body at underarm, and continued raglan shaping to neckline.

I thoroughly enjoyed test-knitting Connie’s design in Patons Classic Wool (worn denim colorway.)

It’s well written–both chart and written instruction–and fun.  This is a cardigan that I would make another one some day. Have you loved a design so much that you’ve knitted it twice?  If so, what was it?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Just Rest

Three things to know today:  I’ve done my best.  I may want do better tomorrow.

But for today, I let go of any self-recriminations and rest.

Know that my dreams are important and reflect my purpose and calling.   I may want to take deliberate steps towards them tomorrow.

But for today, I let go of planning and rest.

And finally know that I am on the right path and there are many reasons to be hopeful.  I can pick up where I left off tomorrow.

But for today, I push my worries aside and just rest.

I delight in the beauty of the butterfly,

but, rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.

The lavender squishy BonBon Kerchief–shown above, a part of Twisted’s 2012 Hot Holiday Knits!–was knitted in Lorajean‘s Featherweight Rambouillet.  This yarn is wonderfully soft.

Gotta love a good, quick knit!  BonBon Kerchief, designed by Shannon Squire, is great as a small shawl to tuck easily into a pocket.  You may give it a stretch to maximize its size that would be perfect for next Duck/Beaver game!

 I love the color range.  It’s also nice that the springy/bouncy wool is grown, spun, and dyed in the U.S.

The fingering yarn works up at a larger than expected gauge.  It looked skinny; but, it behaves much like a sport-weight.yarn!  I see in my crystal ball a beautiful, lofty–perfect layering–cardigan for the summer.  What’s your favorite wool item in your wardrobe?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)