What is Mindfullness? On Knitting, Crafting & Chilling Out

There appears to have been a huge upsurge in the popularity of 'Mindfullness' as a concept.  A quick browse through the top 100 books on amazon is filled with both self help books and a strange new breed of book - the mindfullness colouring book.

Now, I am not one for the self help book.  I understand that (much like religion) they are of immense value to those who can believe in and act on what is read.  For me, speaking with the authority of one who has read half of two self-help books out of interest as to why they are so popular, I find them obvious and annoying.  I fail to see why the writer feels they have the authority to tell other people how to live their lives.  To essentially impart common sense.  To be fair, I suppose common sense does sometimes need a little top up.  

These books all seem to have at least 4.5 stars on amazon, which does sometimes make me feel like I'm missing something.  They include titles such as 'Sane New World' by Ruby Wax, 'The Little Book of Mindfullness' by Patrizia Collard, and 'The Mindfullness Journal' by Corinne Sweet.  The common theme is essentially to explain that you're not crazy, and that you should take a wee five minutes to yourself to calm down.  Which is all very sensible and does seem reasonable. 

However. Having said all of this about mindfullness books.  You want me to chill out whilst colouring in tiny intricate pictures? Yes, ok.  Why not?  I'm sold.  

After toying with the idea for a little while, I finally purchased a couple of books.  And a new pack of pencils, because there's no way I have enough of those already.   It feels a little like lazy creativity.  The creation of a beautiful thing without having to think about what it should be, how it should be constructed, or worry about the quality of the end product.  I suppose that's not necessarily any different from knitting from a pattern, but it's simpler than that.

Today, I've engaged in a little 'Mindfullness' colouring, some easy knitting from a pattern (Tambourine by Julia Farewell-Clay), and working on a chart for an exciting collaboration coming out later in the year.  Though relaxed almost to the point of napping by the colouring book, I felt no sense of achievement, and moving onto my chart again seemed to cheer me up more.

The pictures in the book (I'd highly recommend Animal Kingdom by Millie Marotta) are beautiful.  The ones in 'The Mindfullness Colouring Book' are more basic, and I admit I'm unlikely to engage very much with that one.  I will enjoy spending a little time colouring in.  Is it going to change my life?  No, but then again we always knew I was a cynic.

Knitting calms me, occupies my mind and a little simple knitting will de-stress.  Crafting in general will usually cheer me up on a bad day and even rifling though stash if short of time will usually work the trick!  No, I wouldn't be able to accept a book telling me to 'take five minutes to myself', but maybe that's because I already do.


How do you de-stress?  What is crafting/knitting to you?  And what do you think if the 'Mindfulness Movement'?

Talavera; new pattern in PomPom Summer!

 

It's rather exciting - I have a new pattern released, which is published in this quarters PomPom Magazine!  I've always loved this little mag,  & I am guilty of repeatedly flicking through drooling over all the pretty patterns, pictures & articles.

The other evening in the Dumpling Monkey (yes, this is the name of one of our favourite restaurants), we had a lovely evening - each of us having gained something this week, whether small or large, which made us feel a little sense of affirmation about what we're doing.  

Talavera is a lace top, knit in the round on 4mm needles.  Its easy peasy, and a quick, lightweight knit for summer.  I promise: knit in the round to the underarms, knit the front flat, knit the back flat, join the shoulders, knit the collar in the round as you've just knit for the body.  Done.

It's inspired by outdoor summer strolls, by delicate stems & that rich green which only appears in full bloom.  For me, this season is nothing if not time to get a little obsessive over green yarns & gardening.   I live near the river Kelvin, which bypasses both tree museums & artisan pubs, so you'd likely fall in love with it too.

It is often difficult to decide what to knit in summer (do you really need chunky sweaters, right now?), and my go to is always an openwork project.  Given that I wear more lacy tops than shawls, this was bound to happen.  

PomPom is a great publication (with an awesome podcast!).  Set up in 2012 by Lydia & Meghan to fulfil their knitting vision, which they've certainly achieved.  You can read more about them here.  

The yarn, from Kismet, is *beautiful*.  I really can't express how lovely this was to knit with.  Their camel/silk blend was both soft and light, but still hung wonderfully in the garment.  They have lots of great colours, & their studio is incredible!  (They also do some great gradients, which I chatted about before)

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

Finished bust: 88.5 (98.5, 108.5, 118, 128, 138) cm / 35 (38¾, 42¾, 46½, 50½, 54¼)” – to be worn with up to 7.5 cm / 3” positive ease.

Yarn: Kismet Refuge (4ply/Fingering weight; 50% baby camel, 50% silk; 401 m / 438 yds per 100g)
Shade: T-Rex; 2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3) skeins.

Gauge: 16.5 sts x 28 rows = 10cm / 4” over lace pattern

Needles: 4 mm / US 6 circular needle, 60-80 cm / 24-32” length
4 mm / US 6 circular needle, 40 cm / 16” length for neck and 3-needle cast off
Always use a needle size that will result in the correct gauge after blocking.

Notions: stitch marker, stitch holder or waste yarn

Notes: Talavera is knit from the bottom upwards in the round to the underarms before splitting and working flat. Shoulders are seamed using a 3-needle cast off and the lace pattern is continued in the round for the collar.

For more information, see here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/talavera

PomPom!

There are good pompoms, and bad pompoms.
There is also a limit to the number of pompoms one individual can handle.

Don't know about you, but I tend to sign up for a magazine, or read a blog, and remain relatively loyal to it.   This week for some reason I drew a line (was it because of another tiny project I'd never want to make?  A home idea I felt would make my living room look like I had children - we're talking about a lot here, 'cause this is coming from the girl who knits three different kind of fox...).  Maybe I've just been in a rather bad mood :p

Ironically, I cancelled one subscription due to over-familiarity with pompoms and ended up subscribing to.. you guessed it, PomPom Mag.

There are some very pretty projects included this month, and it's a very well presented, well thought out little publication.  Also, it comes prettily wrapped!  I'm a sucker for packaging.  And pencils.  And notebooks.


I've also been watching the Great British Bake Off!
Best of intentions abound, I did want to bake the challenge cake.  However, my work is killing me, and I can't bring myself to bake :'(  There will be a coffee & walnut cake though, because I really want to eat one...

Maybe I'm judging too harshly, but I definitely have my favourites (and least-favourites) already!


It also inspired this wee range of stitch markers!  They're in the etsy shop at the moment!

Last, but not least, I was SO ASHAMED today when I listened to the Caithness Craft podcast by Louise - and was named and shamed for only just joining the group!   I don't know why I wasn't a member before, I love this little podcast :)  You can find Louises group on Ravelry here.

I first met Louise at the Edinburgh Yarn Festival where I still feel bad because I literally didn't have a minute to talk to her properly.

Sounds like I need to make some stuff up to someone, eh?!




Do you have magazines and podcasts you love?