What, you say? In my head?! I am up to my elbows in eyelash yarn,
I can't find my place in the row, and my knitting needles are about to
duel with each other!
How then, can knitting be all in my head?
Onguard! Listen up!
If you are new to knitting, or have been away from this wondrous craft
for a while, there is a TON of information out there to learn!
Now, before you say "arghhhhh!!", let me explain.
If you 're like me, you love visiting craft stores.
I am truly in seventh heaven whilst meandering from aisle
to aisle in my local yarn shop or craft store.
Of course, once I come to the knitting aisles, I'm really bedazzled!
Once, a long time ago, there wasn't much to see, knitwise, in stores.
Nowadays, your head spins. Row upon row of yarn: wool, arylic, fun fur,
cotton, eyelash, ribbon, chenille, linen, boucle, silk, polyester, mohair,
and a whole host of others, can look positivelybeguiling, yet leave you
perfectly befuddled.
Usually, not far off are how-to books, knitting magazines, even video's
that all promise you will be knitting effortlessly in notime at all!
Wrong!
Like piano playing or violin lessons, knitting is a skill.
If you practice your skill, no matter what it is, you will become better at it;
it's just a fact of life!
You, yes you, have to do the work. If you have a sister, or a mother who loves to knit,
and you marvel at the beautiful afghans, or sweaters that seem to fall off their knitting needles, just remember:
It took a lot of practice to get there!
If you exercise every day, run 5 miles, jog around town, love going to
the gym, you know what I'm talking about!
There's commitment there! Perserverance, stamina when you feel like
quitting, going anyway when you're not in the mood. And why?
Because you love it! Because it makes you feel better, look good, stay healthy.
You can come up with a hundred reasons why you do the things you love.
You probably didn't always love them, either. Over time, they became important
to you; "grew" on you, if you will, but were actions that produced results.
And those results made you feel good.
Over the years, I've worn many hats, daughter, wife,mother, aunt, student, graduate student, patient, administrative assistant, customer service rep,
receptionist, co-worker, innkeeper, ebiz developer, friend, and many others.
And I've learned to do most things well. But, there are a few things I do very well. Exceptionally so. When I was 15, even 25, these were things not even on my radar screen.
One of these "things" is knitting.
It started for me like it does for most everyone else. As a hobby; something different to learn, something unique.
Then, it turned into something else. It evolved into a fascination with stitches, and color, and creating. In time, fascination gave way to passion.
Passion is where something lives in your very being. Where, little by little,
you realize that you really do know more, so much more, than most about a particular subject. And all you want to do is to make it come alive for others, the way it has come
alive for yourself.
That's usually where we all run into the veritable brick wall.
Nothing stops us like inaction. Halted in place, we really don't know what to do next,
or how to proceed.
It's not unusual. It's the same for you and for me. We all live with the same challenges, the same fears, the same facts of life.
It is what each of us does with that information, that makes all the difference.
If you're really passionate about knitting, then visit mywebsite, http://www.theknitstitch.com, sign up for my newsletter or buy my ebook. You can learn so much!
And before I go, let me introduce you to an acquaintance of mine.
His name is Jim Edwards, and if you've never heard of him, let me be the first one to send you his way.
He has something terrific to say about life's challenges! It's about getting rid of your mental blocks, and if you'd like to read more about it, then hop on over to http://www.IGottaTellYou.com/what-holds-you-back.pdf
So, if you want to learn to knit, or to do anything else well,
just remember,
it's all in your head!
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
"Knit-finity"
As summer wanes, I love to muse on all things knitting. We live in such an uproarious world; days come and go with little of anything harmonious fitting into the hours.
We all need, we all crave our own special space, our own little nook, somewhere just for us. And that's ok. Often we need to re-charge ourselves, plug into life's energizing chords, to get ourselves going again.
Think how time has changed. Where once it took weeks to traverse from one city to another, now we do it in just hours. The"calm"in our lives is always waiting in the wings; only rarely do we bring it out to sit center-stage.
There is a reason baseball is such a long game; back in its heyday there was nothing more sublime than to bask in the aura of a well-played game with friends and family. If it took all afternoon, that was a good thing.
Look at the old homes in your town, and most of them are favored with front porches. Lovely to look at, and the place to gather with others to recoup the days' graces and to recount all its pleasures.
Letter writing was once the art of the day. Being as important, long ago, as email is to us now, we think of writing letters as time-comsuming. But, in the days before television, radio, and cars, time needed to be filled up with worthy endeavors.
Life may not have been as modern as today, but it had other resources many of which we are re-discovering in a new century.
Even the Bible tells us that we should "aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands".
Myriad gifts pass through our lives; knitting is mine. It puts me in mind of great cathedrals; they all began with the laying of one stone. So my precious creations begin with one stitch. Foundations are what we make them.
Once learned, knitting is a cherished talent; one used to create for yourself, for your loved ones, your dear friends, even those you don't know and will never meet.
Never again will you look at store-bought apparel in the same way! When special occasions drift through your life, you will be ready with your own memorable masterpieces.
Knitting brings inspiration; in the inimitable words ofAndy Griffith it's "just pure gala!"
If you need space and time in your life to gather in your very self, then learn knitting. As the yarn passes through your fingers, youwill recognize it as your own very special gift to the world.
Knitting is its own distinctive prayer and meditation; crafted by you. As you go, there is so much to knit! So many people to help, and all your handiwork given with your unique mark upon it.
I once read in a magazine that "to live with history is a rare thing. It's thrilling to know how things are put together and why they survive."
All knitters instinctively know the way to peace. It is more than turning off the TV or turning down the music; it's in picking up your knitting needles.
Solace awaits; blessings abound. Go knit, so you can knit into knit-finity.
Keep YOUR knitting on the "Cutting Edge" with FREE patterns. The place where smart knitters gather resourcesand share stories. FREE Details ==>http://www.theknitstitch.com
We all need, we all crave our own special space, our own little nook, somewhere just for us. And that's ok. Often we need to re-charge ourselves, plug into life's energizing chords, to get ourselves going again.
Think how time has changed. Where once it took weeks to traverse from one city to another, now we do it in just hours. The"calm"in our lives is always waiting in the wings; only rarely do we bring it out to sit center-stage.
There is a reason baseball is such a long game; back in its heyday there was nothing more sublime than to bask in the aura of a well-played game with friends and family. If it took all afternoon, that was a good thing.
Look at the old homes in your town, and most of them are favored with front porches. Lovely to look at, and the place to gather with others to recoup the days' graces and to recount all its pleasures.
Letter writing was once the art of the day. Being as important, long ago, as email is to us now, we think of writing letters as time-comsuming. But, in the days before television, radio, and cars, time needed to be filled up with worthy endeavors.
Life may not have been as modern as today, but it had other resources many of which we are re-discovering in a new century.
Even the Bible tells us that we should "aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands".
Myriad gifts pass through our lives; knitting is mine. It puts me in mind of great cathedrals; they all began with the laying of one stone. So my precious creations begin with one stitch. Foundations are what we make them.
Once learned, knitting is a cherished talent; one used to create for yourself, for your loved ones, your dear friends, even those you don't know and will never meet.
Never again will you look at store-bought apparel in the same way! When special occasions drift through your life, you will be ready with your own memorable masterpieces.
Knitting brings inspiration; in the inimitable words ofAndy Griffith it's "just pure gala!"
If you need space and time in your life to gather in your very self, then learn knitting. As the yarn passes through your fingers, youwill recognize it as your own very special gift to the world.
Knitting is its own distinctive prayer and meditation; crafted by you. As you go, there is so much to knit! So many people to help, and all your handiwork given with your unique mark upon it.
I once read in a magazine that "to live with history is a rare thing. It's thrilling to know how things are put together and why they survive."
All knitters instinctively know the way to peace. It is more than turning off the TV or turning down the music; it's in picking up your knitting needles.
Solace awaits; blessings abound. Go knit, so you can knit into knit-finity.
Keep YOUR knitting on the "Cutting Edge" with FREE patterns. The place where smart knitters gather resourcesand share stories. FREE Details ==>http://www.theknitstitch.com
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
5 Best Reasons To Knit!
It's early August, and I can almost hear sleigh bells.Can't you? Don't look now, but summer is on the wane! Without even knowing it, the days are growing shorter,already! Cool breezes are blowing and some foliage is actually going away.
But wait! There is a solution....instead of gettingdepressed, you need to do something. Like take up a hobby.
I can't think of anything better than learning to knit!
I don't care about all those other crafts and DIY projects;learn knitting and you can kiss those paintballs goodbye!
If you don't believe me, then let me give you *5* goodreasons why:
#1 You can feel just like a knitting apprentice! Afterall, in centuries past an apprentice was someone learning a craft,and if you are new to knitting, then you're an apprentice! Eventhe Donald couldn't argue with that!
With knitting, there is a TON of information, and no matterhow often you knit, or how much you think you know, there is alwayssomething new.
And that's good, because you never want to run out of ideas.
#2 Years ago there was a TV commercial for "Shake N Bake",which featured a little girl in the kitchen with Mom, and all shesaid was "Shake n Bake...and I helped".
Now, I know that has nothing to do with knitting. However,the best part of that, is when a friend asks you where youbought your pretty little purse, or new scarf, you can say,"I knitted it myself."
Old commercial, same premise. Take it from me, when youknit-it-yourself, it feels good!
#3 The Four Seasons. Knitting is strictly non-committal. It doesn't care what month it is or what holiday isapproaching, there is always something fun to knit.
Halloween, autumn, Independence Day, Valentine's Day,graduations, weddings, take-your-dog-to-work-day, christenings,Christmas, you name the day, and there is a knitting patternout there for it!
Your knitting creations are always one-of-a-kind, not to beseen in any store or mall. So, when you're knitting thatChristmas stocking on the train home from work, you neverknow who you will be inspiring next.
#4 Unless you have been living under a rock or way outpast left field, you know how expensive gasoline is getting!Daily, the price goes higher.
So, instead of getting in your gas-guzzling vehicle, andcruising around town, to no avail, take up knitting. Get aneighborhood group together, or start a club in your dorm or condo.
Buy some cheapy yarn, and needles, and download my ebook, "Ready Or Knit, Here I Come!" from [www.TheKnitStitch.com]and you will be amazed at the fun to be had!
#5 Knitting is good for you! We all live very stressfullives.
If it's not one thing, it's the other; and every-day lifecan be tough. Sometimes a bubble bath, or mood music just doesn'tcut it.
Knitting can help. The mere click of the needles issoothing music.
Knitting one row, then another, creating stitches, patterns,projects, and seeing it all come together makes for satisfactionindeed.
It doesn't all happen at once. Many projects take weeks,and months to complete, if you want to do them right.
But, that's the essence of knitting.
Working with your hands, you are creating something rightfrom the first stitch. You watch it come to life as you go, andlittle by little, your knitting becomes reality.
Exercise is great, yet, doing something for your soul, isjust as important.
So, if you want to slow down, and find meaning in your lifeagain, try knitting.
So, there you have it, 5 best reason to knit!
But, don't take my word for it, try it for yourself!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keep YOUR knitting on the "Cutting Edge" with FREE patterns. The place where smart knitters gather resourcesand share stories. FREE Details ==>[http://www.theknitstitch.com]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------**Attn Ezine Editors/Site Owners**Feel free to reprint this article in its entiretyin your ezine or on your site so long as you leaveall links in place, do not modify the content andinclude our resource box as listed above.
But wait! There is a solution....instead of gettingdepressed, you need to do something. Like take up a hobby.
I can't think of anything better than learning to knit!
I don't care about all those other crafts and DIY projects;learn knitting and you can kiss those paintballs goodbye!
If you don't believe me, then let me give you *5* goodreasons why:
#1 You can feel just like a knitting apprentice! Afterall, in centuries past an apprentice was someone learning a craft,and if you are new to knitting, then you're an apprentice! Eventhe Donald couldn't argue with that!
With knitting, there is a TON of information, and no matterhow often you knit, or how much you think you know, there is alwayssomething new.
And that's good, because you never want to run out of ideas.
#2 Years ago there was a TV commercial for "Shake N Bake",which featured a little girl in the kitchen with Mom, and all shesaid was "Shake n Bake...and I helped".
Now, I know that has nothing to do with knitting. However,the best part of that, is when a friend asks you where youbought your pretty little purse, or new scarf, you can say,"I knitted it myself."
Old commercial, same premise. Take it from me, when youknit-it-yourself, it feels good!
#3 The Four Seasons. Knitting is strictly non-committal. It doesn't care what month it is or what holiday isapproaching, there is always something fun to knit.
Halloween, autumn, Independence Day, Valentine's Day,graduations, weddings, take-your-dog-to-work-day, christenings,Christmas, you name the day, and there is a knitting patternout there for it!
Your knitting creations are always one-of-a-kind, not to beseen in any store or mall. So, when you're knitting thatChristmas stocking on the train home from work, you neverknow who you will be inspiring next.
#4 Unless you have been living under a rock or way outpast left field, you know how expensive gasoline is getting!Daily, the price goes higher.
So, instead of getting in your gas-guzzling vehicle, andcruising around town, to no avail, take up knitting. Get aneighborhood group together, or start a club in your dorm or condo.
Buy some cheapy yarn, and needles, and download my ebook, "Ready Or Knit, Here I Come!" from [www.TheKnitStitch.com]and you will be amazed at the fun to be had!
#5 Knitting is good for you! We all live very stressfullives.
If it's not one thing, it's the other; and every-day lifecan be tough. Sometimes a bubble bath, or mood music just doesn'tcut it.
Knitting can help. The mere click of the needles issoothing music.
Knitting one row, then another, creating stitches, patterns,projects, and seeing it all come together makes for satisfactionindeed.
It doesn't all happen at once. Many projects take weeks,and months to complete, if you want to do them right.
But, that's the essence of knitting.
Working with your hands, you are creating something rightfrom the first stitch. You watch it come to life as you go, andlittle by little, your knitting becomes reality.
Exercise is great, yet, doing something for your soul, isjust as important.
So, if you want to slow down, and find meaning in your lifeagain, try knitting.
So, there you have it, 5 best reason to knit!
But, don't take my word for it, try it for yourself!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keep YOUR knitting on the "Cutting Edge" with FREE patterns. The place where smart knitters gather resourcesand share stories. FREE Details ==>[http://www.theknitstitch.com]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------**Attn Ezine Editors/Site Owners**Feel free to reprint this article in its entiretyin your ezine or on your site so long as you leaveall links in place, do not modify the content andinclude our resource box as listed above.
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