by carmen | Mar 9, 2009 | Uncategorized
Last night was exhilerating! I stayed up until 2Am knitting and finishing. I wanted 5 projects completed yesterday and I was up until it was done. Yippee. I am back. So tired of being tired and glad to see that it was just a temporary situation. I attribute it to juryitis. Too much thinking can wear you out—-no really.
I would like to thank Alexyia for her late night plurks last night that kept me going and BB’s early morning plurks that were very complimentary and got me right back on the job. It’s very isolating to work from home. Not that I am a huge people person, but there’s something about a knitting rhythm shared.
(even if they might be only virtual clacks and encouragement) It makes a huge difference.
Toni may pop by today for some spinning, it’s our first week not in class. Pearl will be popping by with lots of goodies. Joan is coming over tomorrow. I won’t be by myself, but is anyone with a kick ass pair of sticks ever really alone?
I am most pleased with this and the hours of enjoyment it gave me to knit it. The hand dyed did not behave the way I wanted it to, and yet, I enjoy it. The colour (geranium) gave me great pleasure to knit and the cowl neck collar on the baby sweater makes this a really one of a kind piece.
I get to load up on accessories for my snow trek for coffee, put on my funky boots and kick up a bit of the white stuff. I love this late snow, the magnolia buds on the tree are completely covered making them look like giant pussy willows on the tree.
Knit something great today.
by carmen | Mar 8, 2009 | Uncategorized
I hadn’t been very focused this week. I bounced from project to project. My mind active, my hands busy, but no final stack of goodies…….until today.
The five hours crocheting in the coffee shop yesterday helped enormously. No kitties on my lap or computer distractions. I worked like I was crocheting my own life line. And yet, it was a very natural pace. Having my own colours to work with is a creative blessing.
Having Joan’s buttons to add the finishes to my designs is icing on a really delicious cake. She knows my work and without asking, these beautiful buttons keep arriving and finding their way into projects. Joan will be opening her own etsy shop soon and when she does, I’ll make sure to post it. Her work can’t help but resonate with knitters who want the perfect finishes to their garments.
It’s only 3pm on a gloriously sunny day. An early morning walk for provisions netted me the ingredients for a wonderful breakfast. Sour cherry crepes with almond yogurt and drizzled chocolate and some heavenly organic cranberry and blueberry jam. Perhaps it was the sugar high that propelled the quest for results…..
FO number one. Aren’t Joan’s buttons wonderful….Joan, if you are reading this, hint, hint….
I put the challenge out to a couple of plurk buddies today and one has already answered the call and finished some kick ass baby booties. Are you finishing anything today?
by carmen | Mar 6, 2009 | Uncategorized
Last year I managed to spin some rather offense yarn. Correction, I spun a great yarn with an offensive name (Clown in a Blender). Sometimes I spin something and know it is the final product for me, I am just done.
I’m selling yarn, but never see a finished product. This made me feel weird. Was it sitting on a shelf somewhere, lost, unloved, unused? I’ve talked to people who have it and the inspiration is all different. One wonderful woman liked it on the “inspiration shelf”, unknit, but brimming with potential.
And Marigold shelved hers until it called to her and demanded to be made into this….
Now THIS is a hat. Super, stupendous, gynormous and a big woolie wonder. I spied her yesterday walking past Arts Off Main, where I was visiting Joan and we were having blog chats….If you are in Vancouver and you have not been here, you must go…Support local artists doing great work. But I digress.
BTW, Marigold is a fabulous woman who is a volunteer and advocate for our local farmer’s markets. Anyone who volunteers for sustainable living is someone who deserves to be applauded. Also designing (and wearing) this uber toque which is just fabulous and nervy.
It really made my day. Thanks chickie.
by carmen | Mar 4, 2009 | Uncategorized
I have been dyeing a lot of commercial yarn this week. Blek…..Don’t get me wrong, the colours are okay (not mine) but I have been experimenting and they are bright colours for spring.
I have decided I hate turquoise. This came about after one skein of monumental proportion just would not stop bleeding turquoise. I’ve been lucky with setting colours. They are intense and fully in the fibre. I can usually rinse and wash once and the water is crystal clear —–BUT this turquoise has defeated me. I am on my 3rd rinse, my proportions were correct and yet it is still taunting me “rinse me if you can”
Frack you turquoise. I have other things to do today….
Now to the happy…….
Mommy loves you many beautiful ounces of tussah silk. Hand painted in the most springy, sprongy hues. Dried lovingly last night by my bedside on a vintage linen towel on the radiator, gently warmed and cuddled until you ended up in my arms this morning. You were the first thing I saw….coveted. We’ve had some good times you and I—-today, but I will enjoy you more as yarn and a finished good so it’s time to say goodbye.
by carmen | Mar 3, 2009 | Uncategorized
I knit because I am compelled to. I need and want my hands to be in motion. Therefore knitting is a useful and legal option.
I crochet because sometimes my hands are tired from knitting and my fingers need to remember different motions. I also enjoy curves. Knitting is satisfying, but angular, more sharp. Sometimes it’s about the flow.
I hand dye the wool because my mind’s eye has its own range of colour. I see colour beyond the ones I am presented with. Beyond what sits in pretty baskets in yarn stores.
I spin the wool because my hands demand the variety of texture and nuance. Smooth, lumpy, rugged, sheepy, fuzzy and sleek. I also see a need to challenge how yarn is presented and used.
I am weaving so that I can create a new shiny surface, a new tapestry for my life. I want to unravel the mysteries of the fibre and see myself unfold in their textures. Each layer of fibre a key to understanding myself.
by carmen | Feb 27, 2009 | Uncategorized
Through each movement of my hand
I see purpose
in a twist of a stitch
I see my own quest for perfection
in interpretation
The lightness of the fibre
is my heart
my art
I wonder,
in the building of things
what I add to this world?
I hypothesize that I am
entertaining myself
doing “busy work”
the eye absorbs
the mind interprets
the hands speak the language
creations drop like rain to the
ground
in big, glorious puddles
I splash around a lot.
I would like to thank Alexyia for her late night plurks last night that kept me going and BB’s early morning plurks that were very complimentary and got me right back on the job. It’s very isolating to work from home. Not that I am a huge people person, but there’s something about a knitting rhythm shared.
I am most pleased with this and the hours of enjoyment it gave me to knit it. The hand dyed did not behave the way I wanted it to, and yet, I enjoy it. The colour (geranium) gave me great pleasure to knit and the cowl neck collar on the baby sweater makes this a really one of a kind piece.
Knit something great today.
