s appeals to me. That's probably what drew me to the hand-dyed yarn I'm using for the baby cardigan I'm currently knitting. I have to be careful about my yarn purchases. I think it would be pretty easy to end up with a stash full of variations of the same thing. Good thing I'm keeping to a yarn diet!Speaking of yarn diet, I was thinking the other day about the last time I made a significant yarn purchase. The last I can remember was way back in late September or early October 2008 when I ordered the yarn from Webs to make the Cable-Sleeved Cardigan. That was a long time ago! I really feel lately like I've rediscovered my stash. I've been discovering new patterns on Ravelry that have me really excited to knit up what I already own, rather than running out to the yarn shop for new yarn. If you've been listening to Brenda Dayne's podcast, Cast On, then you already have heard her talk in this series about the "Make Do and Mend" movement, which originated during World War II and encouraged families to reuse and refashion clothes and household items. It has significance and meaning today in light of our economic and environmental concerns, and I am particularly inspired by it. I've been interested in making old things new again for some time because I find it thrilling to move toward more self-sufficiency and world-wellness mindfulness. I've been trying for the last couple of years to decrease my own personal consumerism, so the "Make Do and Mend" philosophy suits me. That certainly doesn't mean that I've stopped shopping/spending altogether. Rather I'm finding that I have curbed the instant gratification, impulse buying and instead make more thoughtful purchases with vendors that I believe it. I'd much rather spend a little more on shoes I know will be comfortable and last for a long time than buy the jazzy numbers on sale for only a little more than a drive-through meal might cost me. Yarn is the same way. I'd rather spend my money on beautiful, natural-fiber yarn that will push me ever closer to a stunning finished object than pinch a few pennies on yarn that even the most perfect technique couldn't save. Something about a sow's ear and a silk purse comes to mind.
Well, I certainly didn't mean to turn this post into some sort of political statement! Let's change gears, shall we?This morning I found myself wide awake before 7am, so I decided to use the opportunity to get all my housework done. In doing so, I unearthed the yarn I received in my May shipment from the Rockin' Sock Club and realized I'd not yet photographed it yet. Another gorgeous colorway! I've also put it into my stash on Ravelry, so you may go there to read details about it, if you like.
Yesterday I spent most of the day resting and knitting on Helena. Somehow I managed to knit all the way through the top portion and into the first repeat of the lace on the skirt before going to bed last night. I'd forgotten how satisfying baby garments are to knit! I believe that I only have four or five more lace repeats to go on the skirt before it's done. I'm really happy with the way this yarn is working out for this sweet little cardigan. I may have just solved my problem of stashed sock yarn and a knitter (me) who doesn't really want to knit socks! I think I'm going to forgo the ties on the cardigan and instead knit in buttonholes. This yarn really wants to be accented with sweet little buttons!
I'm off to relax with my knitting for the afternoon. I'm determined to get every second of enjoyment out of this weekend!
1 comments:
It's turning out really pretty, and those colours are gorgeous
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