Earth Day is great. It got me to thinking about environmentally responsible yarns, needles, and notions. Karma is largely about the concept that what one puts into the universe comes back to you, so putting a respect for the earth out there is the right choice. Certainly responsibility is a great goal. And so I really considered. I wanted to make good choices.
What qualifies as responsible? Everyone's answer seems to differ. Fully organic, cruelty free, sustainable fiber and tools is the ideal holy grail of responsible. But how to source it? How to verify? When verified, how to handle production issues? Color shortages?
Then I went even deeper. Are only vegan (animal-product free) yarns right? How much do you need to know about the farms producing vegetable products? Are rayon and viscose made from sustainable, organic cellulose cool?
I concluded that I don't know. So I looked at it from another direction. Like someone trying to quit smoking, isn't the intention a great start? I think so. Some companies are making yarns that are more responsible than they were previously. That's a step in the right direction. Other companies have made a commitment to organic fibers, but not necessarily to organic labeling or handling or shipping products. What is enough?
I've decided that I'm pleased to support any company headed in the right direction. I will make my next major design project focus on sustainable fibers of a variety of descriptions. I'm not going to be judge and jury of what is good enough. I'm going to be pleased that so many companies are making an effort. I don't know where this path will lead, but I'm excited about it.
What are your favorite eco-friendly yarns? What do you like about them? Are they comparably priced to conventionally made yarns? Thanks in advance for your input.
Showing posts with label karma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label karma. Show all posts
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Zen, Karma and Knitting
In Zen philosophy, one guiding principle is living each moment with intention. That is, you live only with the effects on the others, environment, and world at large that you intend to have. Masters of this principle are adept at saying only what they mean to, leaving no ambiguity, and acting without recklessness or disregard.
These are skills that are seriously useful in knitting, and yet not always fun (or achievable!) As I carefully and thoughtfully grafted together the toes on my "Girlfriend Socks", I could not have been more focused. I was not in a hurry, or stressed. I was not drinking my evening glass of wine. (It was skipped on this evening to make sure I was clearheaded when working the Kitchener.) And yet, two-thirds of the way across the graft of the toe, on a sock that was until now knitted entirely in one piece with one continuous strand of yarn, the unthinkable happened: the yarn broke. During the graft. Almost done. But not quite.
I uttered several very un-Zen words. How far back do I go to join a new piece of yarn? How do I ensure that the new yarn join won't cause a blister? Is this a big enough flaw to make the gift un-givable?
I tipped the box of wine and watched the Merlot swirl into the glass. And then it hit me. Another Zen principle is that nothing is perfect, and nothing is permanent. I sat and drank my wine with intention for a few minutes, and then decided to go with the flow. I only ripped back a smidge, joined the yarn, and moved on with my grafting. It went flawlessly this time.
Karma is the circumstance of bringing about inevitable results onto yourself in this life or the next by the quality of your actions. Whose Karma broke the yarn? The yarn manufacturer's? Did I do this? Did the recipient Karma herself into blister-causing socks? Accepting imperfection as part of reality is much easier to do than achieving perfection. I will focus, and intend good work, but I will learn to accept the inevitable intervention of Karma, too. At least some of the time it has to make me look good, right?
These are skills that are seriously useful in knitting, and yet not always fun (or achievable!) As I carefully and thoughtfully grafted together the toes on my "Girlfriend Socks", I could not have been more focused. I was not in a hurry, or stressed. I was not drinking my evening glass of wine. (It was skipped on this evening to make sure I was clearheaded when working the Kitchener.) And yet, two-thirds of the way across the graft of the toe, on a sock that was until now knitted entirely in one piece with one continuous strand of yarn, the unthinkable happened: the yarn broke. During the graft. Almost done. But not quite.
I uttered several very un-Zen words. How far back do I go to join a new piece of yarn? How do I ensure that the new yarn join won't cause a blister? Is this a big enough flaw to make the gift un-givable?
I tipped the box of wine and watched the Merlot swirl into the glass. And then it hit me. Another Zen principle is that nothing is perfect, and nothing is permanent. I sat and drank my wine with intention for a few minutes, and then decided to go with the flow. I only ripped back a smidge, joined the yarn, and moved on with my grafting. It went flawlessly this time.
Karma is the circumstance of bringing about inevitable results onto yourself in this life or the next by the quality of your actions. Whose Karma broke the yarn? The yarn manufacturer's? Did I do this? Did the recipient Karma herself into blister-causing socks? Accepting imperfection as part of reality is much easier to do than achieving perfection. I will focus, and intend good work, but I will learn to accept the inevitable intervention of Karma, too. At least some of the time it has to make me look good, right?
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thankful
As a knitter, there are many things I'm very thankful for:
Alpaca, mercerized cotton, and superwash wool!
All the knitters for hundreds of years who have figured out the details of this craft and have written them down for me to understand. (I would never have thought of this on my own!)
My LYS community, who keep me sane (ish), inspired, and plied with baked goods and yarn.
Knitting bloggers and Ravelry, who help me feel less alone when I can't write a pattern I like, or when I have to frog hours of work. It's nice to know the "big kids" have these problems, too.
MaryAnn, Colleen, and Cecile, for our close-knit friendships. I'd love you even if you didn't knit, but the knitting is so cool!
My family, who have loyally worn my work, no matter how strange or ill-fitting it may be. They have heard "I'm almost finished with my row - I'll be right there" a million times, and only rarely roll their eyes.
All of you who read this. Thanks for your comments, contributions, and talks in virtual and real life. It's been a real enhancement to my knitting experience to hear from you. Thank you.
Alpaca, mercerized cotton, and superwash wool!
All the knitters for hundreds of years who have figured out the details of this craft and have written them down for me to understand. (I would never have thought of this on my own!)
My LYS community, who keep me sane (ish), inspired, and plied with baked goods and yarn.
Knitting bloggers and Ravelry, who help me feel less alone when I can't write a pattern I like, or when I have to frog hours of work. It's nice to know the "big kids" have these problems, too.
MaryAnn, Colleen, and Cecile, for our close-knit friendships. I'd love you even if you didn't knit, but the knitting is so cool!
My family, who have loyally worn my work, no matter how strange or ill-fitting it may be. They have heard "I'm almost finished with my row - I'll be right there" a million times, and only rarely roll their eyes.
All of you who read this. Thanks for your comments, contributions, and talks in virtual and real life. It's been a real enhancement to my knitting experience to hear from you. Thank you.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Mean People Suck
I spent the afternoon at Karma yesterday, and was the designated Knit Doctor. A customer came in with a small problem and a big attitude. Angry Customer was angry about an error my free pattern in the newsletter. Angry about the correction I published a week later. She had started tha pattern, had made some mistakes not related to my error. She wanted me to rip back and re-knit the 18 rows. (I didn't.) She explained to me I was "foolish" to have made any mistakes, and that I shouldn't publish original patterns. I should copy other patterns and cut and paste them into the newsletter. (???)
I'm sure this balanced the universe in some way, but I wish I knew how. (Pride and curiosity are two of my Karmic tasks to overcome.) I didn't take the bait and argue, though I was tempted. ("Foolish"?) I said, "I sincerely and deeply apologize for any trouble my error has caused you." I meant it. If a mistake in a pattern can cause this sort of vitriol and condescension to be spewed into the world, I hope I never make another error!
Later, a Mother-Daughter came with yarn from a dear and deceased grandmother, and wanted to work her yarn into their projects to commemorate her. They were confused and happy, asking answerless questions. "I lost the pattern, started this project a year ago, and wonder what to do next. I think it was gloves. Or mittens. How can I finish them?" It was hard to meet their needs, but they were happy. What a contrast to Angry Customer.
On reflection, I hope Karma Knitting offers Angry Customer some peace in her life. I hope Mother-Daughter gets satisfaction out of their commemoration project. And I'm really glad that Angry Customer was gone before Mother-Daughter came in. It would have ruined their lovely gesture of respect.
I'm sure this balanced the universe in some way, but I wish I knew how. (Pride and curiosity are two of my Karmic tasks to overcome.) I didn't take the bait and argue, though I was tempted. ("Foolish"?) I said, "I sincerely and deeply apologize for any trouble my error has caused you." I meant it. If a mistake in a pattern can cause this sort of vitriol and condescension to be spewed into the world, I hope I never make another error!
Later, a Mother-Daughter came with yarn from a dear and deceased grandmother, and wanted to work her yarn into their projects to commemorate her. They were confused and happy, asking answerless questions. "I lost the pattern, started this project a year ago, and wonder what to do next. I think it was gloves. Or mittens. How can I finish them?" It was hard to meet their needs, but they were happy. What a contrast to Angry Customer.
On reflection, I hope Karma Knitting offers Angry Customer some peace in her life. I hope Mother-Daughter gets satisfaction out of their commemoration project. And I'm really glad that Angry Customer was gone before Mother-Daughter came in. It would have ruined their lovely gesture of respect.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Cozy Sweater Pattern for the Chill in the Air
Alpaca is the warmest fiber, and in bulky makes an outer layer like a jacket. If you want a lighter layer, make it in worsted weight, or in wool or acrylic. Any of our bulky weight varigated yarns will make this project sing. For a different look, make it in a solid.
Because it's knit on 8's it knits up pretty quickly. Its rated as EASY by the designer/manufacturer. And if you need a hand, ask a Knit Doctor at Karma. We'll be happy to give you hand!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Where You Buy Your Yarn
The knitting ladies at Karma have been coming in for their visits, and their sit-and-knits. In very large numbers, visitors have been coming in with yarns purchased somewhere else (usually online sources) and showing them off to the owner and the Knit Doctors. They proceed to visit, drink coffee, knit awhile, and then leave without making any purchase of any kind.
Really? I get that the economy is challenging all of us right now, and that no knitter will every buy all of their yarn from only one source. From time to time a fiber show, a vacation, or another shop will tempt us all. I do not get people bringing in yarn purchased from competitors and expecting the staff of the Local Yarn Shop (LYS) to be excited about their purchase.
In the national and local scenes, the LYS is threatened species. None of us knit because we must. We knit because we love it. It's a luxury hobby, whether you knit in acrylic or cashmere. Since the economy is slow, fewer people have discretionary cash to spend on yarn. Fewer yarn buyers mean fewer yarn sales, which means LYS owners are making less money. Sources indicate that the US has lost over 15% of its Local Yarn Shops in the last year! Online sources have suffered as well, but to a much smaller extent.
Our shop owner, MaryAnn, is perhaps the nicest woman on the earth. She would never show her frustration or hurt feelings when people rub their purchases from elsewhere in her face. I am not as nice, and am saying in plain terms "Knock it off!" It's rude to show MaryAnn what you didn't buy from her. Karma is a business, first and foremost. The primary focus is to turn a small profit. Every sale matters, no matter how small.
There are very, very few yarns that cannot be had through Karma, or a satifactory substitute is available. Every possible price point is represented. If the LYS is an important part of your knitting life, spend your money there. Karma is a community shop, supported by the local knitting community. When the locals stop buying, the shop will close. It's karma at it's simplest.
Really? I get that the economy is challenging all of us right now, and that no knitter will every buy all of their yarn from only one source. From time to time a fiber show, a vacation, or another shop will tempt us all. I do not get people bringing in yarn purchased from competitors and expecting the staff of the Local Yarn Shop (LYS) to be excited about their purchase.
In the national and local scenes, the LYS is threatened species. None of us knit because we must. We knit because we love it. It's a luxury hobby, whether you knit in acrylic or cashmere. Since the economy is slow, fewer people have discretionary cash to spend on yarn. Fewer yarn buyers mean fewer yarn sales, which means LYS owners are making less money. Sources indicate that the US has lost over 15% of its Local Yarn Shops in the last year! Online sources have suffered as well, but to a much smaller extent.
Our shop owner, MaryAnn, is perhaps the nicest woman on the earth. She would never show her frustration or hurt feelings when people rub their purchases from elsewhere in her face. I am not as nice, and am saying in plain terms "Knock it off!" It's rude to show MaryAnn what you didn't buy from her. Karma is a business, first and foremost. The primary focus is to turn a small profit. Every sale matters, no matter how small.
There are very, very few yarns that cannot be had through Karma, or a satifactory substitute is available. Every possible price point is represented. If the LYS is an important part of your knitting life, spend your money there. Karma is a community shop, supported by the local knitting community. When the locals stop buying, the shop will close. It's karma at it's simplest.
Friday, November 5, 2010
First November Freebies
I've been so focused on changes at Karma and trying to keep up with my own life that I've neglected the Free Patterns of the week. Let's remedy that right now. A really pretty straight needle mitten pattern on 8's with worsted can be found here. The cold days of this week had me digging out all the mittens and gloves I've made myself in the last few years (at least the ones the kids haven't "Borrowed") and I know it's time to have a pair in the pockets of all of my coats.
The second pattern is more intricate, for more advanced knitters. It's a cozy cowl, perfect for feeling snug in a midweight jacket or sweater. Cowls are also a huge style trend for this winter, worn with everything from long sleeved tees to turtlenecks to blazers.
I'm off to the Wine and Cheese Help Party tonight at Karma. I hope to see you there!
The second pattern is more intricate, for more advanced knitters. It's a cozy cowl, perfect for feeling snug in a midweight jacket or sweater. Cowls are also a huge style trend for this winter, worn with everything from long sleeved tees to turtlenecks to blazers.
I'm off to the Wine and Cheese Help Party tonight at Karma. I hope to see you there!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Knitting as Art
A Ferrari, full sized, was designed by Lauren Porter. She submitted this as her final project at Bath Spa University for an arts degree.
There are thousands of knit artists out there, and doing truly amazing work. There's a woman knitting DNA strands, one who has knit the major organs of the body, several who have knit sweaters for public sculptures and trees, and even one giant knit spider web.
Knitting a beautiful garment or blanket is an art in itself. Outside-the-box knitting, as seen here, definitely isn't for everyone. The true capacities of this craft never cease to amaze me, though. There is always more to learn about design, construction, technique, and discipline. As you become aware of other great knit artists, please let us know. We'll be happy to show you more pictures!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Slice of Pie Square Knit Along
Each month I put a quick square knit along in the Karma Knitting newsletter. The response has been good, so I thought I'd add it to the blog. I write it out because many of our knitters dislike knitting from charts. I'll post a picture when I finish a full-sized version of the finished product. If you make this, please let me know. Send pictures! Enjoy!
Cast on 38 stitches on size 7 needles with worsted, or 5's with DK. Worsted finished size is approximately 8x8 inches.
Rows 1-5: K across
6-12:K3, P32, K3 even rows, K across odd rows
13:K11, P21, K6
14:K3, P8, K2, (p1, K1) 9x, K1, P3, K3
15:K6,(P1, K1) 10x, P2, K10
16: K3, P7, (K1, P1) 11x, K1, P2, K3
17: K5, P1, (P1, K1) 10x, P3, K9
18:K3, P6, K1, (K1, P1) 11x, K1, P2, K3
19:K6, (P1, K1), P2, K8
20:K3, P5, (K1, P1) 11x, K2, P3, K3
21:K5, P1, (P1, K1) 11x, P2, K9
22:K3, P4, K2, (P1, K1) 12x, P2, K3
23:K5, P2, (K1, P1) 5x, K3, P2, K2, P8, K6
24:K3, P1, K3, P1, K1, P5, K2, P2, K6, P4, K5, P2, K3
25:K6, P2, K2, P4, K14, P1, K4, P1, K5
26:K3, P2, K1, P3, K1, P19, K2, P4, K3
27:K8, P1, K18, P1, K1, P1, K2, P1, K5
28:K3, P3, K2, P2, K1, P11, K2, P4, K1, P6, K3
29:K10, P1, K5, P3, K7, P1, K4, P1, K6
30:K3, P3, K1, P4, K1, P5, K2, P7, K1, P8, K3
31:K12, P1, K12, P1, K4, P1, K7
32:K3, P4, K1, P2, K1, P2, K1, P10, K1, P10, K3
33:K14, P1, K9, P1, K3, P2, K8
34:K3, P5, K1, P5, K1, P7, K1, P12, K3
35:K16, P1, K5, P1, K5, P1, K9
36:K3, P7,K1, P2, K1, P2, K5, P14, K3
37:K21, P1, K3, P2, K11
38:K3, P9, K1, P2, K1, P19, K3
39:K22, P1, K1, P1, K13
40:K3, P11, K1, P20, K3
41-46:K3, P32, K3 odd rows, K across even rows
47-50:K across
Bind off. Weave in ends. If pattern is not clear on square, block item.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Anniversary
I finished cabled mitt number 1 for my daughter, and continue to love both the pattern and the yarn. Cascade Greenland really rocks for garments you need to be durable. This isn't a super soft yarn, but it's totally not itchy, really high twist with nice loft, and gorgeous stitch definition. The new mitt is on the top, my old one is on the bottom, both in Greenland.
I'm a bit behind where I want to be on the holiday knitting front, mostly because I keep adding things to the list (like cabled mitts for my daughter). And that I'm not a really fast knitter. And that two knitting hours a day is maybe less than I need. And I mostly want to make things with a zillion stitches, like socks. I need to sleep less or plan better. Plan better. Karma is biting my gift-giving butt!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Ripping Out the Mistakes
Last night I finished the socks for the Mr.. I put off the Kitchner stitch for as long as I could stand, but eventually got the peace and quiet to focus and do it. An hour later, they were on his feet. If he ever takes them off I'll try to get a photo. (Since he's a pro photographer I always feel silly taking my own pics. His are so much better!) Somehow shooting knitting stuff isn't on the top of his list, so I'll get to it myself.
I then knit my daughter's cabled mitts for a while. I reversed a cable by accident and had to rip out and re-knit the rows affected. It got me to thinking that this is one of the many cool things about knitting - you can fix your mistakes and make them invisible really easily (assuming the yarn quality is good enough that reworking it won't show.) It's another Karmic step, I suppose, to recognize your errors and strive to correct them, but in most of life they're still detectable in some way. I like the fact that a finished piece of knitting always represents lessons learned, and it isn't obvious how recently they were learned. If I'm feeling too cocky there's always the next pattern waiting to see if I'm paying attention, and I'll trip myself up if I'm not. I just keep trying to pay attention...
I then knit my daughter's cabled mitts for a while. I reversed a cable by accident and had to rip out and re-knit the rows affected. It got me to thinking that this is one of the many cool things about knitting - you can fix your mistakes and make them invisible really easily (assuming the yarn quality is good enough that reworking it won't show.) It's another Karmic step, I suppose, to recognize your errors and strive to correct them, but in most of life they're still detectable in some way. I like the fact that a finished piece of knitting always represents lessons learned, and it isn't obvious how recently they were learned. If I'm feeling too cocky there's always the next pattern waiting to see if I'm paying attention, and I'll trip myself up if I'm not. I just keep trying to pay attention...
Monday, October 11, 2010
Monday, Monday
It's Colombus Day. Whether you believe Colombus merits a holiday or not, most of the rest of us deserve the day off, so I'll take it.
I was the shop "Knit Doctor" yesterday, and had a woman with several questions. Write a pattern for an existing Mobius Cowl she had brought in with her. Okay. How to fix errors in her cast on row in a blanket without ripping out all the subsequent rows. (You can't, but some will become unnoticeable during the blocking process.) Correct some stitches she had purled when she should have knit them. I did, and taught her how. Pick up some dropped stitches. I did. I helped intermittently for 2 hours, and she walked out without paying. Didn't buy yarn, tools, or anything else. Just ate snacks, was served coffee, got her questions answered and didn't pay the $5 fee. She was easily 65 years old, well dressed, with expensive jewelry, and even mentioned the fee shortly before leaving. What is that? I may make it a policy to tackle people on their way out the door and wrestle them for the fee! (Whose Karma would that be?)
I was the shop "Knit Doctor" yesterday, and had a woman with several questions. Write a pattern for an existing Mobius Cowl she had brought in with her. Okay. How to fix errors in her cast on row in a blanket without ripping out all the subsequent rows. (You can't, but some will become unnoticeable during the blocking process.) Correct some stitches she had purled when she should have knit them. I did, and taught her how. Pick up some dropped stitches. I did. I helped intermittently for 2 hours, and she walked out without paying. Didn't buy yarn, tools, or anything else. Just ate snacks, was served coffee, got her questions answered and didn't pay the $5 fee. She was easily 65 years old, well dressed, with expensive jewelry, and even mentioned the fee shortly before leaving. What is that? I may make it a policy to tackle people on their way out the door and wrestle them for the fee! (Whose Karma would that be?)
Sunday, October 10, 2010
November Knit Along
I started writing patterns for a monthly dishcloth/blanket square knit along two Karma-Knitting-Shop newsletters back, and have been really surprised and pleased with the results. September was a Dragonfly, and October was a Happy Skull. My goal is to make something cheerful, seasonal, and secular for each month.
I finished the chart for the November Knit Along yesterday. (It's a "slice of pie" square!) I still have to knit a sample to confirm the pattern. Modern technology has made the whole process pretty easy, as I just print out scaled knitting graph paper and transfer my design to the "pixels". (http://www.tata-tatao.to/knit/matrix/e-index.html) But since knit stiches are not really neat rectangles, the knitted result doesn't always live up to the sketch. If the sample is good, step three will be typing it up, as our group seems to prefer written patterns to charts.
In the Karma department, I awoke coughing and sneezing today. When I came downstairs I discovered that my dog has learned a new game. He pulls the Kleenex out of the box one at a time! Once he has made a little pile of them, he chews them until they're pulpy, and then repeats. Interesting that he chose to learn this trick just when I really NEED those Kleenexes...
I finished the chart for the November Knit Along yesterday. (It's a "slice of pie" square!) I still have to knit a sample to confirm the pattern. Modern technology has made the whole process pretty easy, as I just print out scaled knitting graph paper and transfer my design to the "pixels". (http://www.tata-tatao.to/knit/matrix/e-index.html) But since knit stiches are not really neat rectangles, the knitted result doesn't always live up to the sketch. If the sample is good, step three will be typing it up, as our group seems to prefer written patterns to charts.
In the Karma department, I awoke coughing and sneezing today. When I came downstairs I discovered that my dog has learned a new game. He pulls the Kleenex out of the box one at a time! Once he has made a little pile of them, he chews them until they're pulpy, and then repeats. Interesting that he chose to learn this trick just when I really NEED those Kleenexes...
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