Some day I’d love to know more about the places you’ve lived! I believe I’ve gathered Thailand, Spain, and Australia thus far. What brought you to those places? If you’ve already shared, I’d be happy to read it if you could point me to it
There's more places Tashay - Mexico, Romania and Japan! I've not ever written about my travels but have been mentioning the yarn shops I've visited in some of those countries. You've got me thinking. It's lovely to know of your interest :)
Your poll should include the choice "all of the above." Sometimes I listen to a book or a podcast, sometimes I watch TV, sometimes I am with a group of friends, and sometimes I just sit and knit!
I share this dilemma with you in whether or not to multi-task whilst crafting, or whether to sink deeply into the rhythms of the craft in an effort to let go of the incessant thinking and simply "be" with my knitting, or spinning, or weaving. It is interesting to me that it is in drawing/sketching that I find my thoughts drift away. At some point, they return whenever I begin to consider whether I like the drawing or not, whether I want to add color and how I might want to do that, etc. I do often enjoy listening to an audiobook whilst spinning or knitting, if the knitting is simple. A case could perhaps be made that when we attempt something a bit more challenging for us, THAT becomes our centering focus (like the breath is in meditation) and all other thoughts fall away as we try to keep the fear isle stitch count, the cable rhythm, the lace pattern first and foremost in our minds. I was unable to fill out the Poll as I found myself needing to check them all! Ha! 🤪 I have done all those things and enjoyed everyone of them...chatting with a friend, watching TV, listening to a podcast or audiobook, etc. Yes. Yes. Yes and yes. And...I also set my intention sometimes to purely "be with the wool" in delicious silence. It's all good. We are not wrong in doing any of it. Isn't it a wonder to have such abilities and gifts that allow us to be present and mindful in so many ways AND to enjoy others, read books, etc as we continue to create. Blessings to you Jodie!! I so enjoy your posts! -Jennifer
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts Jennifer. I agree about how something more challenging brings focus like the breath does. Laura also mentioned how there needed to be a "all of the above" in my poll. :) Thank you for your kind praise too. It gladdens my heart to know you are enjoying my posts. I'll be smiling all day!
I totally understand the need to shut off thoughts when knitting. My current thoughts leave me in tears so giving myself time to get away from those is invaluable to me and my sanity.
Have you ever taken the time to hug that special tree? Hug it with your eyes closed and allow yourself to feel it’s energy.
Thanks so much for sharing this. I can appreciate how invaluable those moments are for you. I'm yet to hug the tree and will do so next time. I'll be sure to close my eyes and feel it's energy. I remember someone said to me that "chi" or energy is strongest around trees and the ocean. Thank you also for your kind words about my latest knit. :)
Beautiful post, Jodie! The shawl is just beautiful. I happen to just knit (and not listen to anything) a lot of times, especially during experimental bits in the design I am doing. It is inevitable that a design project will get ripped and re-done many times but I try to stay mindful to minimize it. That said, I LOVE knitting+listening to an audiobook and not quite ready to pass up the chance. 🙈 I will be eager to hear about your experience.
Thanks so much Kavitha! It's great to learn how you incorporate being mindful in your design process, thanks for sharing. I'm testing out my idea of only focusing on my knitting today and It's proving difficult, hah hah!. I'm already missing listening to an audiobook and I'm struggling to let go of thoughts!! It's a process to be sure, but I'm giving it a red hot go :) I'm counting stitches in the repeats and finding that quite meditative. I'm giving this kind of mindfulness practice a week, and will share about how I got on next Friday :)
Some day I’d love to know more about the places you’ve lived! I believe I’ve gathered Thailand, Spain, and Australia thus far. What brought you to those places? If you’ve already shared, I’d be happy to read it if you could point me to it
There's more places Tashay - Mexico, Romania and Japan! I've not ever written about my travels but have been mentioning the yarn shops I've visited in some of those countries. You've got me thinking. It's lovely to know of your interest :)
Your poll should include the choice "all of the above." Sometimes I listen to a book or a podcast, sometimes I watch TV, sometimes I am with a group of friends, and sometimes I just sit and knit!
Ah yes! Thanks so much for sharing Laura, so true! What's on your needles at the moment? Cheers Jodie
Currently on a beach vacay, so only have a pair of socks and a scarf with me. Aurora Cabin Shawl at home, awaiting the second slip stitch section.
Enjoy the beach and your holiday knitting :) That's a beautiful shawl design, I just looked it up. No doubt your excited to complete that project!
I share this dilemma with you in whether or not to multi-task whilst crafting, or whether to sink deeply into the rhythms of the craft in an effort to let go of the incessant thinking and simply "be" with my knitting, or spinning, or weaving. It is interesting to me that it is in drawing/sketching that I find my thoughts drift away. At some point, they return whenever I begin to consider whether I like the drawing or not, whether I want to add color and how I might want to do that, etc. I do often enjoy listening to an audiobook whilst spinning or knitting, if the knitting is simple. A case could perhaps be made that when we attempt something a bit more challenging for us, THAT becomes our centering focus (like the breath is in meditation) and all other thoughts fall away as we try to keep the fear isle stitch count, the cable rhythm, the lace pattern first and foremost in our minds. I was unable to fill out the Poll as I found myself needing to check them all! Ha! 🤪 I have done all those things and enjoyed everyone of them...chatting with a friend, watching TV, listening to a podcast or audiobook, etc. Yes. Yes. Yes and yes. And...I also set my intention sometimes to purely "be with the wool" in delicious silence. It's all good. We are not wrong in doing any of it. Isn't it a wonder to have such abilities and gifts that allow us to be present and mindful in so many ways AND to enjoy others, read books, etc as we continue to create. Blessings to you Jodie!! I so enjoy your posts! -Jennifer
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts Jennifer. I agree about how something more challenging brings focus like the breath does. Laura also mentioned how there needed to be a "all of the above" in my poll. :) Thank you for your kind praise too. It gladdens my heart to know you are enjoying my posts. I'll be smiling all day!
I totally understand the need to shut off thoughts when knitting. My current thoughts leave me in tears so giving myself time to get away from those is invaluable to me and my sanity.
Have you ever taken the time to hug that special tree? Hug it with your eyes closed and allow yourself to feel it’s energy.
Your cable knit is glorious!!
Thanks so much for sharing this. I can appreciate how invaluable those moments are for you. I'm yet to hug the tree and will do so next time. I'll be sure to close my eyes and feel it's energy. I remember someone said to me that "chi" or energy is strongest around trees and the ocean. Thank you also for your kind words about my latest knit. :)
Beautiful post, Jodie! The shawl is just beautiful. I happen to just knit (and not listen to anything) a lot of times, especially during experimental bits in the design I am doing. It is inevitable that a design project will get ripped and re-done many times but I try to stay mindful to minimize it. That said, I LOVE knitting+listening to an audiobook and not quite ready to pass up the chance. 🙈 I will be eager to hear about your experience.
Thanks so much Kavitha! It's great to learn how you incorporate being mindful in your design process, thanks for sharing. I'm testing out my idea of only focusing on my knitting today and It's proving difficult, hah hah!. I'm already missing listening to an audiobook and I'm struggling to let go of thoughts!! It's a process to be sure, but I'm giving it a red hot go :) I'm counting stitches in the repeats and finding that quite meditative. I'm giving this kind of mindfulness practice a week, and will share about how I got on next Friday :)
Lots to love here, but your food plates look AWESOME! I'd want to knit something with all those colours!
Thanks so much Lisa. The colors are beautiful 😍
Yes pleade
Great! Thanks for letting me know Cara :)