A Bolt from Beth

(This is a reworking of yesterday's post, which has been deleted.)

My Moment of Zen

As I refashion the baby blankets (more on that in my next post post), I'm delighted to feel traces of my long lost knitting and crocheting mojo returning. It's a warming feeling that starts as my fingers work the yarn and it moves toward my heart, and I lose myself in the work.

The other day, I was hanging out with some knitsibs, working on the one of the blankets when a friend asked me the other day if I like knitting or crocheting better.

It wasn't just any friend, it was Beth Parrott, one of the best knitters I know and a published author. She's also generous with her advice.   If you want to know why one cast on is better than another for a project--or any any of those knitting questions you are afraid to ask, just ask her; she will know.

Anwyay, I started with my standard response that I love both knitting and crocheting (I do), and I find different purposes for both (true).   She said that although I knit well, when I crochet, I visibly relax, and it seems as if the crocheting is effortless--a part of me.

Something hit me; I didn't know what to say; I blabbed something I forgot. It means so to me coming from her. Also, tears welled up in my eyes because I realized that I have found it.

I'm not a religous person, and I have tried meditation, but normally, in spite of all the good advice, videos, and book, I usually sit there and worry.  Beth's remarks struck me like a bolt out of the blue. I've had my way of meditiation all along.  

My own moment of Zen.  It's what I knit and crochet for. I know it seems silly that I'm just getting around to this relevation, but there you have it.

Is my mojo back?

One Stubborn Sister

I saw this on my Facebook news feed the other day and I just had to make it. 

It's the Little Sister hat pattern, and I need something quick, cute, and easy to keep me on the mojo track.  A co-worker has a 10 month old daughter, and even though it's springtime, she could get some wear out of a little cotton hat.  I don't sew, so I'll crochet a flower accent instead.

I normally so this so for a hat, but I grabbed some yarn and set about a gauge swatch...or two..or three.

(BTW, I love my gauge wizard ruler.)

The pattern calls for a 3.75 mm hook, so I since I crochet on the tight side, I started out with a 4.0 mm, then went to a 3.5 mm, then a 3.  Still not quite the gauge.  Going to a smaller hook wouldn't work well with the yarn, so I tried a toddler size with the 3.o.

Thought I would run out of yarn, and looking too big.

Switched yarns and tried again.  Made abut 90% of the hat, more than shown here.

Yes.  Too big.

A baby size with a 3.0. Added an extra row to make it look better and whipped up a small flower.

Cute, but more a child size.

Next, I modified the pattern, taking away a repeat and tried the baby size on a  3.0 mm again. 

Feeling better now.  I made a flower for the violet one from my favorite flower pattern from Dot Matthews. I skipped the last last of petals, though.

Here are the finsihed hats.

Decided to make a larger flower for the cream colored hat.  

So much for a quick and easy project, but with the mods, this may be a good project. I'll take both to work tomorrow, and see if the sizes work, but all of this makes me realize just how much I love the process.

And it is a process...

Back in Fashion

Music is another form of mediation. I love so many types of music.  Tunes are always running in the background of my thoughts, and I often pick one up and run with it.  I share some of it with others on social media. I would do more, but I feel that what I share makes me seem crazy enough already.

My obession with the band Depeche Mode began back when I was in the Air Force, and a friend lent me the cassette tapes of Depeche Mode 101. While I knew a couple of hits, I really didn't follow the band, but upon listening, I became obessed.  I listened to nothing else for a month or so.  Then I went retro, and brought all their previous albums. 

I saw the video of Personal Jesus, and went to the BX the next day to buy Violator, still their best album, and how I love Enjoy the Silence.

 

The video reminds me of an episode of Babar when he couldn't find any place where he could be left alone.  I don't know if  that was on the director's mind when he produced this video, but that was the first thing that came to mine.

Also Corbijn's use of color and scenery are spectaular.

Last week, the boys released their latest album, Delta Machine, and while it's no Violator, isn't not bad.  Here's the first video, Heaven.

 

The nearest they come to Charleston is Atlanta in September. My knitting, crocheting, and I should go.

Comments

[Constance Haeseley~Wood]

BOLT FROM BETH. I am glad you had this moment Vera! Beth is right. I have found it very relaxing to observe you while you're crocheting. You maintain a Smooth even pace and the ability to converse and continue effortlessly creating. You love it.