Slowly does it….

Yes, there are times when ‘slowly does’ it is the right way
It’ll get done in it’s own time

A few years ago a craft book called Slow Knitting was published – from all accounts it was fairly well received but as I’ve never actually seen it I can’t say much about it. Being a bit on the pricey side I waited for my library to obtain a copy – which unfortunately never happened. At the time council was tightening its belt and I was told the funds were not available for craft books! They’ve changed their attitude since but unfortunately this one never made the cut
Anyway seemingly amongst other things it talked about slowing down and taking time to savour your craft – To think about and enjoy all aspects of your craft.

“Like the “slow food” movement, Slow Knitting encourages knitters to step back, pare down, and celebrate the craftsmanship of their work. In five chapters centered around the tenets of slow knit­ting—sourcing carefully, making thoughtfully, thinking environmentally, experimenting fearlessly, and exploring openly—Hannah Thiessen challenges knitters of all skill levels to view their practice in a new way. Each chapter contains explorations of fiber types; profiles of well-known yarn types, makers, and yarn suppliers; and garment patterns inspired by the featured fibers. With contributions from knitting superstars Norah Gaughan, Bristol Ivy, and many others, Slow Knitting proposes an approach to knitting that is both minimalist and all-encompassing, and emphasizes what makes knitting a meditation, a passion, and a unique necessity.” source

I’ve been told it also suggested to not stop knitting gifts but not to put yourself under stress by having so many to finish by a certain time.  Now that’s something I learned the hard way a long time ago so if I do knit as a gift I give it when I feel the time is right not because it’s Christmas/Birthday time and that’s when gifts are given.

As always there’s been some knitting going on in my house……really slow knitting this time ……..some that has taken a fair while to finish.  Talk about slowly does it – with my interests lying in other directions recently this little cardigan finally got done all in it’s own time.

Selecting the yarn from my boxes I fingered it, squashing it in my hand, wondering what it could be used best for – a bit dark for a tiny baby so was it to be a toddler size cardigan or jumper/sweater?  Boy or girl style? We still tend to think of boys in blue but girls wear blue as well don’t they?

It’s not quite as dark as it looks but needed something to make it stand out – to be more than just a child’s cardigan – a decorative stitch that did just that.  Sort of like a mock cable – and what about pockets?  Little ones love pockets don’t they!

Simpler than it looks the ‘cable stitch’ is worked over 4 rows – Knit one row, purl one row, decrease with a s1k2pso (slip one, knit 2, pass stitch over)  in the middle of the set stitches on the next one, yarn over in that spot to make up the stitches on the next row.  The grey/blue buttons were all I had (with our winter trip coming up need to save my pennies here and there) but when it was all put together I didn’t think it looked too bad.

Do you remember the Slow TV phenomenon that came to us all those years ago…….well even though today is not Friday – which is the day we try to have Fun…..it turns out that today’s the day we’re going to have some fun in the form of fibre

And in keeping with ‘slowly does it’ – just enjoy some of this peaceful restful video of a group of knitters with their crocheting friends having some fibre fun – in real time – real slow time!!

Monday Musings – a time to think and ponder

What are you thinking about this Monday morning?