frantic om

chaos and creativity

Saturday, April 29, 2006

On Monogamy


I love watching other knitters' blogs with their plethora of projects: socks for the subway, arans for rainy days, and fair isle for really getting down to work. But it's just not working out that way for me. It seems I can only wrap my brain around one knitting pattern at a time. Now it's on Rogue - and Rogue alone. I was thinking what I should bring on next biz trip - something easier? - finish Branching out? - Calla would be light and easy to carry, right?

But the truest answer is: bring the folder and work on Rogue. Not the lightest or the simplest. But it's where my head's at, in knitting anyway. And it's nice to feel that whatever other million things I've got going on in my mind or in my life, the knitting's there to pick up where I left off. And not reconfigure my brain to what the yarn and pattern want every time I pick up a finished object different project. It makes it easier to finish what I started, too. Nothing like a finished object to make me feel like a real (if not multi-projected) knitter.

Thursday, April 27, 2006

Dancing is yoga . . .


. . . or so I tell myself on the way out!

Since Rogue is not feeling camera-ready today, the pic is from going to my friend Fred's (aka The Kooky Scientist) show at the Sullivan Room Saturday.

But Rogue is around, his pocket is knitted but not the body it attaches to. He feels a bit . . bare. But hunny is liking everything about him so far.

Monday, April 17, 2006

Rogue is here!


I came back from a quick biz trip to find that my yarn for Rogue has arrived. Yea!

Hunny is suitably happy about this - this one's for him. I loved the pattern when I saw it, but he got all googly eyed for it, so that's that. I'm making the 43.5" size, maybe scaling the sleeves a little shorter. But I'll remeasure and ask around first - 24" may not be so long if two inches is hem.

I've cast on and am working my way through the twisted stockinette. Not my favorite but it's only twelve rows. Then let the cabling begin!

And where is branching out? Waiting for the size sevens to finish Rogue's hem, that's where. The siren song of the Rogue cables is just too strong.

I'm not sure if all this will work out amically, I do well as a monogamous knitter, and second projects generally get stashed. Will endeavor to keep progressing on branching out as a portable project . . . .

Monday, April 10, 2006

Out on a Limb


Here is my first week's progress on Branching Out from Knitty - my first lace project. I'm past the freakout of knitting fuzzy, splittable thread with size sevens, and I'm even at the point where I can (kind of) read my knitting. So I'm looking forward to progress.

Knitting this pattern makes me aware of some emotional preferences for some stitches over others. Why do I enjoy a k2tog while ssk induces anxiety? And don't get me started on sl-k2tog-psso!

I think some of this has to do with doing something unknown and potentially doing it wrong, or dropping stitches and not knowing where from. And, in this project, not seeing in orderly rows whether it's coming out the way it's supposed to. Repeat to self, "it will get easier". . .

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

a Finished Obect:

Here it is, the Cabled Tee:



Pattern: Cabled Tee by Michael Kors, VogueKnitting, Holiday 2005
Yarn: Knit Picks Elegance (70%baby alpaca/30%silk) in Lilac
Needles: size 6

My first "experienced" pattern. The yarn and needles were under gauge so I knit the medium number of stitches for a size small outcome. Still, I wonder if it will stretch from the silk content. Time will tell. I loved knitting with Elegance, it's really soft and strong. I frogged major parts of this sweater at least twice and the yarn took it well. As for wearing, this sweater feels really yummy and is warming without being too warm.

Sunday, April 02, 2006

new cells for the old ceremony


Scientists have been debating the issue of neurogenesis lately, on whether or not new neurons are created in adult brains. Like most, I was taught in school that we get a specific number of neurons and that's it. But new research suggest that creative, active environments do in fact stimulate new neuron growth in brains, and stressful non-stimulating environments inhibit growth and even destroy brain neurons.

I'm not surprised by this. Not at all. Having a moderate yoga practice I know from experience that my mind can be just as flexible and changing (or not) as my body. And when knitting a new pattern I do feel that those cable patterns in my dreams aren't just madness, but some new tiny piece of an everchanging puzzle settling itself into place.

So I wonder how many neurons were created while taking the Yantra workshop yesterday? I'm quite happy with my Saturn Yantra, even as I see its flaws (I'm not so focused!) I find it very harmonious as a whole. And the process of working one's own "hand" with precice geometric forms (in concentric clockwise circles as well) was a fascinating meditation in itself.