MARCH - the turning month: anticipating spring
Look around you and you will see magic and mystery. The turning of life, the season in all its wonder! It doesn't take much to inspire me, but when the seasons turn, I am pulled out of my day-to-day focus and see again all the newness around me. I live near one of the last apricot orchards in Sunnyvale, and luckily it is protected, so as long as I have lived here (20 years this year), I have lived by the seasonal changes of this orchard. As we are turning from winter to spring in 2011, there is a carpet of mustard grass in brilliant yellow laying down around these stoic trees. And once again, they are bringing forth new fruit in their stages - blossoms, leaves, fruit, picking, shedding, barronness (while preparing for the next cycle). I've been noticing the brilliant yellow for a long time, but last week I noticed the first bursts of flowers on the trees. This coupled with full-bloom cherry trees in the neighborhood brings pinks and yellows and whites into the forefront - the first colors of spring!
Let us savor this period of turning, watch it unfold, and be inspired by the magic that is happening without any human hand. Here is a poem I wrote in the 1970's while living in Connecticut:
Using a beautiful chocolate CASCADE washable wool yarn I got at Green Planet Yarn in Campbell, I taught myself how to Continental Knit/Purl while making a lovely shawl for my daughter, Maya's birthday - March 2. It is a simple pattern of garter stitch on the edges, and solid stockinette in the middle. Then I dove into all the beautiful new colors of Soysilk yarn I got at Stitches, and embroidered sunflowers, black-eyed susans, vines, leaves, bees and butterflies along the side and bottom edges. She loves it - as I love her!
Inspired by Stitch Diva (Jennifer Hansen) at Stitches West I dove into the new crochet hook kit I bought from her and assembled a tunesian hook and tail for the size project I had in mind - a 15x15 pillow. Then I gathered together several of the new yarns I got at Stitches (An Oasis scallop and an Oasis textured), and threw in some Trendsetter Aura (eastergrass yarn) along with a coppery Vanna glamour yarn and some lime Soysilk yarn. Right now it's still in the formation stage, but I'm loving the way it's coming together. My plan is to use a velvet fabric for the back and sew the knitted front and fabric back together to form the pillow. Stay tuned for the finished piece!
It's all white now - style gets a spring pick-me-up with cool, crisp WHITE.
You have to check out this amazing designer from Nova Scotia. She designs her own patterns all from inspiration in nature - things like 'knit a beach', 'knit a river.' And she sponsors trips around the world, such as "Knitaly", Turkey, Spain, Santa Fe, and more. You can join her newsletter on her website - it's worth your while.
Glorious days! First of Spring!
Resounding in air waves,
warmth and rebirth.
Joy in new creation,
bursting hearts of love.
Blooming into tomorrow
as if it were to be their last.
- Channing (1970's)
Knitting Projects:
Using a beautiful chocolate CASCADE washable wool yarn I got at Green Planet Yarn in Campbell, I taught myself how to Continental Knit/Purl while making a lovely shawl for my daughter, Maya's birthday - March 2. It is a simple pattern of garter stitch on the edges, and solid stockinette in the middle. Then I dove into all the beautiful new colors of Soysilk yarn I got at Stitches, and embroidered sunflowers, black-eyed susans, vines, leaves, bees and butterflies along the side and bottom edges. She loves it - as I love her!Crochet Projects
Inspired by Stitch Diva (Jennifer Hansen) at Stitches West I dove into the new crochet hook kit I bought from her and assembled a tunesian hook and tail for the size project I had in mind - a 15x15 pillow. Then I gathered together several of the new yarns I got at Stitches (An Oasis scallop and an Oasis textured), and threw in some Trendsetter Aura (eastergrass yarn) along with a coppery Vanna glamour yarn and some lime Soysilk yarn. Right now it's still in the formation stage, but I'm loving the way it's coming together. My plan is to use a velvet fabric for the back and sew the knitted front and fabric back together to form the pillow. Stay tuned for the finished piece!Tips from Vogue Knitting for Spring!
It's all white now - style gets a spring pick-me-up with cool, crisp WHITE.Check out how Vogue is designing with white. Take a look at their ideas and patterns. Design your own spring patterns (scarves, wraps, hats, and more...) with white and other spring colors. Take advantage of all the fabulous yarns for the warmer months. Knitting/crocheting isn't just for fall-winter, but for year-round creativity.
Free-Range Knitter - Jane Thornley
You have to check out this amazing designer from Nova Scotia. She designs her own patterns all from inspiration in nature - things like 'knit a beach', 'knit a river.' And she sponsors trips around the world, such as "Knitaly", Turkey, Spain, Santa Fe, and more. You can join her newsletter on her website - it's worth your while.Welcome to the turning month - March. Enjoy every day as spring unfolds and keep your eyes open to all the colors of the season that inspire you! I look forward to seeing you soon in a class or my monthly Knitalong.
Cheers,
Channing
