knitting & howe!: April 2005

Union Square Ghandi

Creative Backwater

I am in a kind of weird holding pattern - knitting wise. Nothing I am working on is coming out right. It used to freak me out - and totally discourage me. Now, I'm beginning to think of this as just another cycle of creativity. All artists (and, as humans, we really are artists) go through periods of creative stasis. If you're a writer, you agonze over every non-working word. If you're a painter, nothing looks right. And if you love fiber, there are times when you feel as if your instincts have failed you in terms of technique, color choice and pattern - or so i tell myself. I have 4 projects in the works - and I don't like one of them at the moment. Still, 95% of success is hanging in there, so i persevere. Here are some of the rules i have laid down for myself:
1. No more new projects
2. Pick up one thing every night that needs a loving solution
3. Be gentle with the work - and myself
4. Refuse to be discouraged
5. Don't work (or make decisions) when tired - go to bed
No great profundity here. They are simple rules, but they seem to work. In closing, here's a statue of the saintly spinner who is my hero. I never noticed it before, but as i was ambling through Union Squre Park the other day - on my way to a committee meeting for October 2nd's Annual Knit out, there he was! He's been there for years, of course, and I never took the time to see him. It's the second time in a month that he's been presented to me - once on the west coast, now on the east. His presence blessed my afternoon!

Mercerized teal colored cotton - just right for summer something

A Show in Central Park

Opening Day Staff at Paley's

The Opening Day Staff At Paley's

Happy between 2 worlds!

As anyone who has spent two seconds perusing my blog knows, I am unfailingly pro-NYC. That said, I also love and need the country. We have a place in NW Ct., on a beautiful piece of land. And as much as I love the bright lights, big diverse city, I love my little country home and community. April is always fun for us since it means the opening of our favorite country farm stores. One of these is Paley's, where we buy everything edible and growable. Here's a picture of the staff who never fails to welcome us with supportive arms - and strong coffee. My picture taking of opening day has become my favorite ritual - as is my sad little picture of closing day - a bittersweet time in October. (The sweetness comes with the 50% off sale.) As much as I love a good sale, I must say I far prefer opening day. Their sweet faces don't begin to do justice to their personalities - or the produce.
The other picture is a study in contrast in that it's a touch of the country - in the city. Central Park on Wednesday afternoon was a veritable treasure trove of sights and sounds. I met my pal for lunch on the bench and right in front of us this little show opened. The puppeteer was enchanting. She brought her own music (and conductor) and her audience was rapt, as you can see. It felt like a touch of Paris, but with a better exchange rate. (You should have seen her version of Swan Lake!)
Knitting News: I am in the middle of 3 projects and bored. I have spent the better part of the last two nights trying to decide on a 4th project, but ricocheting between guilt and ambivalence. I think it's time for a shrug - and I don't mean an apathetic one. I have the most divine cotton (from Silk City - ask if you don't know and I'll let you in on a neat, wholesale secret.) Check out the conehead. Any and all suggestions most welcome.

Off to the country, but back soon!

Peaceful Weaver

Yummy Merino from Art Fibers

Olivia at 5

San Francisco Farmer's Market bounty

I'm in NY- again!

And darn glad, too. I don't see what all the flap is about the west coast - never have. Sure they have warm sun. Sure they have an eclectic population. Sure they have access to wine country extraordinaire within 90 mins. of their downtown. Sure they have some neat yarn stores (ArtFibers, Imagiknit, Urban Knitting Studio, etc.) Sure they have one of the best farmer's markets I have ever visited (take a look at those artichokes, baby!)
But we have some of that and other things, too. Check this out: We have the Yarn Bus ( www.flyingfingers.com)

While there, I knitted my fingers to the bone and taught someone dear to me how to knit. That's Olivia in the picture. She's my god-daughter and great niece. She's still a little young to tackle this, but I intend to get her into the fold as soon as her hand/eye coordination and patience catches up with her interest.

While there, I also picked up some very yummy merino for a jacket for my niece (see picture of that stuff - at $27.50 a skein, it's pricey but soothing to work with if not to the pocket.) I also picked up some wonderful "Phyzzy" stuff for a gift for my eldest daughter. She was finally bitten by the Poncho thing - it's not my fault, A knitter's lot is not to question, but to deliver. The pictures are coming - as soon as my fingers catch up with the requests.

And finally, see my picture of the patron saint of weaving and fiber - for me, anyway. I love this picture since it reminds me of how fundamental and important all craft is - as fundamental as love, peace and the intentions of those sent to teach us how to embody those qualities.
Have a good weekend!