“No matter how well you knit, looking at your work too closely isn’t helpful. It’s like kissing with your eyes open: nobody looks good that close up.” ― Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, Things I Learned From Knitting
Dear friends,
In times like these, it is more important than ever to focus on being present in the here and now; to focus on things that matter most.
With your knitting in hand, you can learn to slow down and find your center. You can practice focusing your mind by counting your stitches or noticing each stitch as you create it. You can bring your attention to the present moment over and over again.
In this mindfulness, may you find comfort and peace of mind. For each moment that you are present, you can let go of worries about the future or regrets about the past.
We’ll get through this — and we’ll be better and more resilient because of it.
To keep your mind focused on knitting, simplicity and conscious living, here’s a selection of hand-picked articles that have been published recently.
Peace, Love, & Knit Om,
Becky
:: Knitting – Wellness – Conscious Living ::
Stitch Away Stress! Knitter Tips for Managing Stress
This year, the annual “Stitch Away Stress” campaign is all about making yarn crafting and creativity part of your daily routine at home while you practise social distancing. Read how fellow yarn crafters are handling their stress during this challenging time.
Why the Key to Savoring the Moment is Doing Less
Anxiety about the unknown can change the pace and intensity of our lives. Here’s how doing less for its own sake can be simple and transformative.
Blocking: What’s It All About and Why Is It Important?
Blocking is an important step that can make all the difference to the look of your finished project. It settles the fibres, evens out the fabric, gives it more drape, and a polished, professional look.
Yale’s Happiness Expert Shares 5 Strategies for How to Stay Positive When it Feels Impossible
Psychologist Laurie Santos, PhD, host of The Happiness Lab podcast and professor of Yale’s viral happiness course, shares strategies for how to stay positive in the face of whatever your coronavirus crisis mentality is.
Knitting Is My Therapy During This Pandemic
One woman’s story of how she first discovered the therapeutic benefits of knitting to get through her grief after the sudden death of her young child, and how now she is knitting to cope during this pandemic. An experience that I’m sure many can relate to.
Many of us dread being alone. We find isolation uncomfortable or downright scary. But here’s the good news: being alone is a skill. And, just like any other skill, you can get better at it with practice. Honing this skill now can help you get through the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of dreading being alone, you can learn to lean into it.
Knitting to Keep My Hands Busy
As soon as she started social distancing, it became clear that she needed something to do with her hands. She craved something that could keep her hands occupied, while also distracting her from all the terrible news for a while. So, she decided to knit…
Margaret Atwood’s Lockdown Diary: Life as an Eccentric Self-isolationist
In the spirit of her grandmother’s knitted washcloths – a pastime that presumably focused the mind and gave her grandmother a sense of accomplishment, Margaret Atwood presents some of her more bizarre self-isolation activities.
:: Pattern Inspiration ::
Introspections by Madlen Joy Fields
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The designer is kindly offering this beautiful pattern for FREE as a gift to you during these trying times 🙌
About this design (via Ravely): Introspections is a lightweight triangular shawl featuring subtle texture shifts from stockinette to seed stitch. Knit with thin garter edging, a central spine, and easy yarn over increases. The lace weight yarn and large gauge make for an airy wrap that is perfect to snuggle up in at home or wear out on a warm summer evening (pending a vaccine). So grab a cup of tea, find a comfy armchair and slowly work your way through this meditative project.
Plover Cardigan by Jacqueline Cieslak
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Safe at Home Blanket by Margaret Holzmann
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About this design: A colourful stash-busting blanket portrays the current reality that we are (hopefully) safest at home with our family. It’s worked in garter stitch strips then sewn together. The border is added by picking up and knitting along the completed blanket edges. Techniques include intarsia, colour striping, and pick up and knit.
:: Final Thoughts ::
As always, thank you for being a member of the Knit Om community and taking time out of your day to read these (semi-) weekly email newsletters!
I know these times are super challenging for many right now. So, if you are struggling and need to talk, please reply to this email and let me know.
I’m here for you.
We’ll get through this together.
With love and gratitude,
Becky xoxo