The Politics of Knitting

I have had a few issues with typical knitting technique instructions. One has been their propensity for telling me that a twisted stitch is achieved by knitting through the back loop. More than half the time that is not true for me, I get a nice flat stitch when knitting through the back loop and a twisted one when knitting through the front loop. But not always. The key to my style is its consistent erratic nature; I can discern the method and the fabriced outcome meets the intent but the path of the work varies each time I pick up the sticks.

Another issue I have had with typical instructions is being told to wrap a thread "Clockwise" or conversely "counterclockwise" In my mind left and right or counterclockwise all depends on one's perspective and from which of many direction you are looking.

I seldom find anyone sharing my confusion, though.

Until now.

I am reading a book, titled "Knitting for Anarchists". The author tells me I am not alone, and that the important way to knit is through the leg of the stitch that is in front of the body of the stitch, closest to the needle point. ...and that works. She urges readers to avoid knitting from any particular ideology and develop the techniques that achieve the knitting fabric YOU like. Its good advice, but best followed after one has explored the various options. Personally I am practicing Peruvian Knitting. There is an interesting video of the Peruvian technique on YOUTUBE.

I thrive on change, and work at the discipline to establish some kind of consistency.

Like our political identities, we are defined as knitters by our attitude toward change. I am a confirmed liberal with a dash of revolutionary thrown in when the time is right for it...when faced with tyranny,

Haven't read many chapters yet the book, but this promises to be a good read.

But on an easier topic.....

Spring is here, as is evidenced by the rose shown in today's post.

On knitting and random ramblings

I am ready for another project to fall back on since the forever shawl seems to be going on FOREVER, I need something else for interest. I usually have a pair of socks on the needles, but as warm weather approaches its hard to get excited about socks.

However, I have some Panda bamboo silk blend that would make a very pleasing pair of spring socks. Maybe the periwinkle socks shown in Ravelry, they are pretty and several Ravelry members have them shown in completed projects. Heres the link, http://www.ravelry.com/projects/yenforyarn/panda-cotton-periwinkle-socks. But if I am knitting a pair of socks requiring thought I will also need a pair in process needing none. Three projects in process seems about right.

My mind is rather unfocused. It is traipsing around between my current book, a little housework, knitting and planning new knitting, and skyping with my daughter. All of course with a cockatoo on my head. I must find a moment to file her claws, My scalp is getting scratched.
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"The fruition of a committed yoga practice is the capacity to deeply relax the inner struggle with life's paradoxes" (from, INSIGHT YOGA, by Sarah Powers.).I must admit to rather enjoying the energy of exploring and struggling with paradoxes. I know I am guided to relax but I find it boring after a few minutes. I am afraid I am a long way from any semblance of enlightenment.
But perhaps the difficulty is with the word 'relax'. In English it sounds passive. I suspect peace and serenity arent passive. I suspect being joyous with paradoxes presented to us in life maybe another way of approaching the reality of them (the paradoxes).
When I can make better sense of what I just wrote I will be back to edit.

April 20, 2009
So there are varying perspectives, ways to view the surroundings. One way is to focus on the particular, the swirls on the silver dollar shell, the fabric of the flower petal. However , another way is the taking in of the wondrous scenic view, the enormity of the 360 degrees look, so expansive so awesome
But then...there is a caution.
I have a tendency to confuse recognition of differing ways to organize and perceive data with enlightenment. Granted differing ways to perceive the sensory awareness is a precursor to enlightenment, or at times an obstacle. Do I use a close up lens or a wide lens…these are ways to frame the view, but not ways to experience and understand it. Framing the view, organizing the senses are ways to stave off the chaos. In the aggregate such thoughts lead to civilization.

April 19, 2009
At the beach.
I feel at the cusp of a new formative axial age in a self becoming process.It was the juxtaposition of the yoga, the mindful knitting, the sunset, and …the letting go of the tension and fear. Not to undervalue the importance of that sunset. (o dear. its a few days later and I recognize that the the book I am currently reading, The Great Transformation by Karen Armstrong has poked through in my writing style. Please pardon the pretension.)

Mindful knitting,
It’s the pattern, it becomes a mantra chanted with the movement of the fingers and the texture of the fibre. Sometimes the pattern is complex, taking time, attention, and yes some disturbing hours of frustration. Then there is the comfortable patterns allowing the fingers to memorize and providing the place for thoughts to be freed from that concern as well. The senses feel the soft and the mind mellows.There are other metaphors throughout the day. Any action really when done well can become a metaphor for more than itself. It doesn’t pay to search for those deeper meanings; there is pleasure when they discover you instead.
Hum. I find I even need to turn off the computer’s auto spell and grammar check. It has no respect for my frame of mind and keeps using green and red underlines to warn me I am treading into erroneous territory.
I insist on allowing myself this anarchy.

But enough introspection. Its beyond sunrise, I am aware of the waves and there are sunflashes from them interfering with my perceptions. The dog will wait for no pattern or metaphor and my Cockatoo is frantic. Time to don the sandals, the windbreaker and the walking stick, adding one poop bag and one souvenir bag to my ensemble, being careful to keep them separate. I am off.

From Manzanita Oregon