Its been very cold, unusually so, in some parts of the United States and Canada. One thing that stands out about the fiber artists of the world is that the majority of them are most giving and caring people on planet earth. We don't knit simply because its a "fad" or because some mega star domestic diva got into knitting or crocheting. We have always loved to work with fiber and probably always will, long after its no longer cool. The thing that keeps us going is knowing that out there are people who need warmth and nothing says warmth like a hand knit or crocheted gift.
There are a zillion organizations out there talking about providing hand knit goods and asking for financial donations but one of my favorites is "Warm Up America" they have permanent and rotating projects on going throughout the year. I've watched Warm Up America carefully. They are totally above board and the work is vital. Yes, I mean vital because like WUA, I believe that if we have the means to provide warmth to those in need we have the responsibility to follow through. Its that simple. I think my customers would agree. I participate, maybe you know someone or a group of people who would also like to participate? Here's the website for Warm Up America: http://www.warmupamerica.org/warmup.html and they also have a facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WarmUpAmerica?ref=ts&fref=ts Its a worth while way to spend your time and use up some scrap yarn, or recycled yarn. Lets give the world a hug.
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These days, with so many adorable yarns out there, its hard to know where to start with a discussion of color. I stay away from all the usual terms like "seasons" and "color wheel", I am more of a "go with your gut" kind of knitter. I have good friends who are gracious enough to send me packages in the mail now and again to help give me a smile. They live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan so they know how long winter feels in the frozen north. Nothing more fun then opening a box full of wonderfully colored yarns. My friend and her husband choose the best gifts. Yarns of bright greens, blues, oranges, yellows, peach, primary colors, she even had a yarn dyed especially for me! It was sock yarn but really, I couldn't see putting that gorgeous yarn on my feet :) As you know, I'd rather yarn shop than just about anything else in the world... except maybe going out for a coffee with my friends. I usually make a bee line for the baby yarns. That's where the cutest yarns congregate :) Color! Bright, fun, color to stimulate the baby's vision and mind. (Of course I never rule out the pastel pink or the denim blue :) ). Parents come to me with out of the box ideas... I appreciate their enthusiasm for getting their little one the perfect photo prop or blanket to match the nursery. I simply cannot resist buying up some of those sweet colors. :) Speaking of color: Textured knits are always popular. No I'm not talking about goofy knits that you find around Christmas time that have the fuzzy reindeer plastered on the front. I am talking about feel of materials. Combinations of knits, purls, and yarns.
As I've mentioned before in this blog there are many, many different kinds of yarns. Each yarn made of different mixtures of materials, each yarn has its own suitability and each yarn creates its own fabric. When I use texture in a project I like to use stitches to create texture not just the yarn. Yarn and stitches working together. There's nothing simple about choosing textures or stitches or yarn for a project. Especially when its for someone you love very much. I think texture, like lace knitting, is delightful! I very much enjoy creating a fabric that captures the senses of sight and touch. Two projects pictured below, a current unfinished project and a project I finished for my Aunt several years back. My Aunt was very special to me. She too was a knitter, she used to knit while watching her game shows and the Yankees games on TV :) She was a huge Yankees fan. When she went into the nursing facility due to Alzheimer's disease I made her an afghan to keep her warm. When my mom gave her the afghan, she remembered me and said my name. I was in tears of joy. She's passed on now but I think she approved of my effort :) First my current project, then Aunt Velma's afghan. The majority of people I know tell me that they need time to think. They need to get away and think. I know a lot of fiber artists who have their favorite get-aways, places they go to re-energize. It really stokes the fires of imagination when you take the time to relax. There are days, like today, where its taken me HOURS to gather my thoughts, I tear projects out, go through my patterns again, re think my yarn choice, generally drive myself crazy. (and everyone else too if you want to know the truth) My family just stays out of the way until the storm has passed. Seriously its that crazy. My son inherited that gene, and he's graphic artist so no ripping back, only ripping up and starting again. My daughter is a bit more philosophical, she's a writer and believes in pencils with good erasers. When I'm having a rough day I even have meditative knitting or crocheting stitches I like to do. Something that's repetitive, rhythmic, soothing, and doesn't require that I watch every single stitch. I let my mind wander a bit. Generally children's blankets are my "rough day " projects. Here are a few of my favorite blankets: |
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Author**Opinions expressed on blogs about which I write are the opinion of the blog authors and DO NOT necessarily reflect my own opinion. |