“If you’re not living consciously, you’re living subconsciously… you’re essentially on autopilot being who you were yesterday.” ~ Dr. Benjamin Hardy
Hello there,
As conscious human beings, we possess the unique ability to imagine infinite possible futures for ourselves. This is an ability that differentiates us from plants and other animals.
Not only can we imagine different future scenarios, but we can make decisions and take deliberate actions toward the future self of our choosing.
In this way, the person you want to become – your future self – drives who you are today.
My point? You get to choose who you become by taking actions today that are in line with that imagined future self.
For example, is your future self calm and happy in the face of adversity? Is your future self organized and productive?
What actions can you take today that are in line with that imagined self?
It looks like we’re going to be living in this pandemic era for a while yet. And that is entirely out of our control.
However, you do get to control how you respond to this situation.
Focus on what you can control and take deliberate action toward the person you choose to be.
Hint: Make time for knitting, joy, gratitude, and self-care!
Peace, love, & Knit Om
Becky x
:: Knitting – Wellness – Conscious Living ::
Everything You Need to Read Your Knitting
If you want to master your knitting, there is no better way to do it than to learn to read your knitting and understand your stitches. In this article, knitting instructor Patty Lyons puts together a list of tutorials and classes that will help you to learn to read your stitches and ultimately, knit more confidently! [Read more…]
Understanding the Sizing and Materials Section of a Knitting Pattern
Before you can cast on, you need to gather yarn and needles. The sizing and materials section of a knitting pattern will tell you everything you need. In this article, Emily and Alexa from Tin Can Knits explain in-depth how to understand this section of a knitting pattern and ultimately, set yourself up for knitting success. [Read more…]
Reminder: Your Hobbies Don’t Have to Be Side Hustles
In the midst of a global pandemic, when many of us are just trying to keep it together, hobbies are a good idea. Research suggests that having an activity that you enjoy—one that’s done on your off-time—can boost your mood, help you feel more satisfied, and decrease stress. The benefits are magnified when your hobby involves your hands. There are so many stressors right now. There’s also the threat of an actual illness, so if you’ve found something that helps you pass the time in a relaxing way, resist the urge to make it a new side hustle. You deserve to relax – don’t take that away from yourself by turning it into work. [Read more…]
In a Stressful Time, Knitting for Calm and Connection
Despite having failed every attempt at meditation, or even at mindfulness, the author found that knitting brought her back to the present and calmed her mind. She recognized this as her form of self-care and a form of connection to the past and to family members far away [Read more…]
Saving Myself Stitch By Stitch
An essay by New York Times bestselling author—and knitter—Caroline Leavitt about her journey with knitting and how she rediscovered its therapeutic benefit during this pandemic. [Read more…]
Cognitive Load Theory: Explaining our fight for focus
Our brains have a limited processing capacity that’s being stretched to its limit right now, but with some careful planning and self-discipline, there are ways to reduce the cognitive load and rediscover your focus. For example, establishing and mastering new routines saves you from constantly drawing on your working memory capacity for mundane tasks. Second, because we’re living through an era of heightened anxiety and uncertainty, it’s important to put extra effort into stress management, so that your working memory isn’t constantly overloaded by worry. This means eating well, exercising and establishing a predictable bedtime routine, as well as finding time for activities that relax you. [Read more…]
Taking Ownership of Your Craft – Recent Knitting Discussions
For many years, Elizabeth Zimmerman’s words about trusting yourself and be the master of your own knitting have been the mantra for knitters everywhere. By trusting in your own abilities, you become a better knitter. By taking ownership of your craft, you are not only gaining invaluable skills but you also help the craft develop and grow. [Read more…]
In Memoriam:
Pearl Chin Dies at 71; Her Knitting Store Was a Haven and a Hub
Pearl Chin, the founder of Knitty City, a yarn shop on the Upper West Side of Manhattan that became an inclusive sanctuary for urban knitters, died on Oct. 27 in Manhattan. She was 71. Knitty City became a cozy haven for New York knitters, a place to which they could escape the city’s bustle and devote themselves to therapeutic acts of creation involving only a needle and a ball of thread. [Read more…]
Knitwear designer, teacher, yarn maker and proponent of going your own way with knitting, Annie Modesitt, died October 1. She had been battling cancer for years, and she last posted on her blog late in August that she was undergoing a last-ditch chemotherapy treatment. Since that time she had entered hospice care.
Annie Modestitt felt the most important thing was to empower new knitters to find their own way of doing things and to understand how knitting works so that their interest could be ignited into a passion. She trusted knitters to use their intellect to be able to knit patterns, rather than suggesting that some patterns are better for beginners. [Read more…]
Cat Bordhi, a renowned knitwear designer, innovator, teacher and advocate for the fiber arts, died September 19. Cat had been diagnosed with cancer and announced in July that she was dying. In a note to Ann Shayne she wrote. “My greatest joy IS being able to help my students discover that they are capable of so much more than they dreamed. They realize that they can make changes and handle the outcome, can be creative, and can trust themselves both in knitting and beyond…” [Read more…]
:: Pattern Inspiration ::
Filbling by Birgit Grunwald
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About this design:
You start these unusual fingerless mittens by knitting the thumb, using the increases to form a square shape, before grafting two sides together and adding the ribbing for the wrist and fingers. Very cool 😎
RBG Ball by Lexie Bryan
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About the design:
Show your admiration for your favorite supreme court justice and all-around badass with this quick knit – a Christmas ornament inspired by Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s black robes and signature lace collar.
Santa Pillow by Kathy Lewinski (Affiliate*)
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About this Design:
Bring a bit of whimsy and the flair of Scandinavian style home for the holidays. This clean and modern design is inspired by the “tomte,” a domestic sprite who protected the farm. With a pointed red hat and long white beard it looks a lot like a gnome. . .and Santa Claus!
The Santa Pillow is worked in the round with the same repeated motif on the back and front. The top of the pillow is finished in Kitchener stitch and the bottom is seamed together after a pillow insert is added. Now included with the original Santa Pillow pattern is the Rainbow Gnomes variation!
:: Noteworthy Deals and Steals ::
5 Rainbow Yarn Hank Enamel Stitch Markers (30% off) Affiliate*
Let these tiny rainbow-coloured hanks keep track of the beginning of rows, changes in stitch patterns or pesky dropped stitches.
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:: Final Thoughts ::
If you’ve made it all the way to the bottom of this email, thank you for reading! I hope you found something helpful and/or inspiring!
With the on-going Covid-19 pandemic, I haven’t been as communicative as I would like…and for that, I apologize. However, in the spirit of the “future self” I wrote about in the introduction, I’m going to try to show up more consistently from now on.
I encourage you to give me a poke and a nudge (i.e. hold me accountable) if you see I’m not showing up in the way I promised you I would!
Lastly, let me know if you’d like to hear more about the idea of the future self and how to create better habits and routines to achieve your future goals.
With love and gratitude,
Becky xoxo
*Full disclosure: This email contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase using one of my links, I will receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. If you do make a purchase, I truly appreciate your contribution ❤️