A Fluffy Bolero.
This one was designed by Erika Knight and features in her book "Simple Knits For Little Cherubs".
27 October 2007
Every Girl Needs One Of These:
A Fluffy Bolero.
This one was designed by Erika Knight and features in her book "Simple Knits For Little Cherubs".
22 October 2007
16 October 2007
Recycle Yarn Like A Pro
Yesterday I indulged in sharing my thoughts on the subject of conscious evolution and explored what sustainability means to me. Today I want to follow this philosophical article with a pragmatic one.
Recycled yarn is sustainability in practice. It's fun and so in vogue these days! Look around. Is anything you see begging to be frogged and re-invented?
Well, here is how.
This unwanted wrap was stored in various "out of the way" corners of the house for years until finally I decided to put it out of its misery.
Once frogging begun I started turning the endless spaghetti of yarn into neat skeins with the use of a swift. This can also be done with the use of niddy noddy.
Whilst at it, I gently skimmed the fuzz created by the last hand-wash of the garment.
The frogged yarn is a bit curly. Don't worry about it. It will relax in the soak.
I couldn't believe how much yarn was stored in that wrap! I frogged and frogged, and couldn't see the end of it. We are talking Rowan chunky wool here. 10's of GBP worth of it...
Once I produced several skeins I prepared some tepid water with a drop or two of Imse Vimse wool shampoo.
I than gently immersed wool in the soapy water and left soaking overnight.
When the soak is finished gently squeeze the excess water and wrap your skein/s into a clean fluffy towel. Place the towel on the floor. Have a stroll on top of it (if you happen to have a toddler around he/she will gladly assist in that).
Once that's accomplished hang out the skein/s to dry. This can take anything from one to few days depending on temperature and humidity.
Note: if you are soaking more than one skein at the time take care as tangling them up is easily done.
Wind the skeins into balls, double-checking for any overlooked bits of fluff.
Et voilà!
Speaking of recycled yarn, do check out Susan the Recycler's eBay store for a selection of lovingly recycled yarn.
And finally, my first knitted cushion for home is ready, and it is made of recycled sari silk hand-spun in Nepal.
The blue wool is for a small collection of hand-knitted cushion covers. Look out for them!
Recycled yarn is sustainability in practice. It's fun and so in vogue these days! Look around. Is anything you see begging to be frogged and re-invented?
Well, here is how.
This unwanted wrap was stored in various "out of the way" corners of the house for years until finally I decided to put it out of its misery.
Once frogging begun I started turning the endless spaghetti of yarn into neat skeins with the use of a swift. This can also be done with the use of niddy noddy.
Whilst at it, I gently skimmed the fuzz created by the last hand-wash of the garment.
The frogged yarn is a bit curly. Don't worry about it. It will relax in the soak.
I couldn't believe how much yarn was stored in that wrap! I frogged and frogged, and couldn't see the end of it. We are talking Rowan chunky wool here. 10's of GBP worth of it...
Once I produced several skeins I prepared some tepid water with a drop or two of Imse Vimse wool shampoo.
I than gently immersed wool in the soapy water and left soaking overnight.
When the soak is finished gently squeeze the excess water and wrap your skein/s into a clean fluffy towel. Place the towel on the floor. Have a stroll on top of it (if you happen to have a toddler around he/she will gladly assist in that).
Once that's accomplished hang out the skein/s to dry. This can take anything from one to few days depending on temperature and humidity.
Note: if you are soaking more than one skein at the time take care as tangling them up is easily done.
Wind the skeins into balls, double-checking for any overlooked bits of fluff.
Et voilà!
Speaking of recycled yarn, do check out Susan the Recycler's eBay store for a selection of lovingly recycled yarn.
And finally, my first knitted cushion for home is ready, and it is made of recycled sari silk hand-spun in Nepal.
The blue wool is for a small collection of hand-knitted cushion covers. Look out for them!
15 October 2007
Conscious Evolution
Today blogs team up to help environment. As sustainability is a matter very close to my heart, I simply cannot resist joining this initiative.
Sustainability is a much heard word these days. It would seam we are waking up to the importance of being responsible inhabitants of this planet. Good for us!
The whole notion of "saving the planet" strikes me as a major misunderstanding though. The planet Earth existed long before humans appeared on Earth and, as I imagine - in the worst case scenario, it will exist long after human race is extinct.
We are facing big issues. The climate is undergoing a dramatic change, and it appears to be a threat to us, but - really - should the worse happen, the life in its simplest manifestation will go on. That's why I'm not concerned about the planet being saved. I feel that we simply need to take care of ourselves. Maybe the time has come to replace self-centered, egotistic, reckless behaviours with ones that are expression of care. Care of which foundation is a REAL, cellular-level understanding that everything is interconnected and we all are an integral part of the world we live in. That by taking care of ourselves we will also take care of everything that needs to be taken care of, because they are different facets of the very same thing.
I think that there is a lot of emphasis and reliance on our intellectual ability to comprehend what is at stake here, in the present moment of the relatively short existence of the thinking and feeling creatures that we are, and an essential lack or deficit of a sort of understanding that springs directly from a fundamental shift in the way we perceive ourselves and the world around us (which includes other people), and the relationship between the two.
It might sound complicated but simply boils down to the inability to look at stuff with our hearts. Our minds rule, quite literally. Hence, another challenging issue on our hands is an escalating conflict between different cultures. We fail to acknowledge what we have in common and choose to focus on imagined dissimilarities.
If we don't evolve we will become extinct species. It's as simple as that. And it strikes me that it is our consciousness that needs to evolve, not so much our bodies.
There are conscious evolution curricula out there available to all those wanting to deepen their understanding of 'the bigger picture',explore ideas of how we got to where we are now, as a human race, as a civilization, how to get to see the paradigms we are operating out of and which our culture is based upon, how to make conscious choices in life, rather than mechanical ones.
I can recommend a handful of organizations based on my own experience.
First of all Concord Institute (formerly Community Health Foundation) with their brilliant curriculum integrating healthy eating, bodywork and an array of conscious evolution programmes.
Do check out Landmark Education with its inspiring vision (and a very convincing track record) of powerfully transforming people's relationships with themselves, others and life.
There also is Kindling Point, which is
Kindling Point is my personal favourite. It is a community based international organization the work of which I find to be right at the forefront of today's transformational work. Boldest, most courageous, most beautifully embracing the spirit, most heart-felt, most powerful - in my experience.
For me sustainability is a factor of love and knowing oneself. I can only be sustainable if I care with all my heart and don't give in to futile trains of thoughts "thinking" that I cannot possibly make any difference, and who am I anyway?
I am an expression of life on this planet. And so are you. We have hearts. We can choose.
Sustainability is a much heard word these days. It would seam we are waking up to the importance of being responsible inhabitants of this planet. Good for us!
The whole notion of "saving the planet" strikes me as a major misunderstanding though. The planet Earth existed long before humans appeared on Earth and, as I imagine - in the worst case scenario, it will exist long after human race is extinct.
We are facing big issues. The climate is undergoing a dramatic change, and it appears to be a threat to us, but - really - should the worse happen, the life in its simplest manifestation will go on. That's why I'm not concerned about the planet being saved. I feel that we simply need to take care of ourselves. Maybe the time has come to replace self-centered, egotistic, reckless behaviours with ones that are expression of care. Care of which foundation is a REAL, cellular-level understanding that everything is interconnected and we all are an integral part of the world we live in. That by taking care of ourselves we will also take care of everything that needs to be taken care of, because they are different facets of the very same thing.
I think that there is a lot of emphasis and reliance on our intellectual ability to comprehend what is at stake here, in the present moment of the relatively short existence of the thinking and feeling creatures that we are, and an essential lack or deficit of a sort of understanding that springs directly from a fundamental shift in the way we perceive ourselves and the world around us (which includes other people), and the relationship between the two.
It might sound complicated but simply boils down to the inability to look at stuff with our hearts. Our minds rule, quite literally. Hence, another challenging issue on our hands is an escalating conflict between different cultures. We fail to acknowledge what we have in common and choose to focus on imagined dissimilarities.
If we don't evolve we will become extinct species. It's as simple as that. And it strikes me that it is our consciousness that needs to evolve, not so much our bodies.
There are conscious evolution curricula out there available to all those wanting to deepen their understanding of 'the bigger picture',explore ideas of how we got to where we are now, as a human race, as a civilization, how to get to see the paradigms we are operating out of and which our culture is based upon, how to make conscious choices in life, rather than mechanical ones.
I can recommend a handful of organizations based on my own experience.
First of all Concord Institute (formerly Community Health Foundation) with their brilliant curriculum integrating healthy eating, bodywork and an array of conscious evolution programmes.
Do check out Landmark Education with its inspiring vision (and a very convincing track record) of powerfully transforming people's relationships with themselves, others and life.
There also is Kindling Point, which is
"an educational initiative fostering awareness of the non-separate nature of life and supporting the unfolding of human potential".
Kindling Point is my personal favourite. It is a community based international organization the work of which I find to be right at the forefront of today's transformational work. Boldest, most courageous, most beautifully embracing the spirit, most heart-felt, most powerful - in my experience.
For me sustainability is a factor of love and knowing oneself. I can only be sustainable if I care with all my heart and don't give in to futile trains of thoughts "thinking" that I cannot possibly make any difference, and who am I anyway?
I am an expression of life on this planet. And so are you. We have hearts. We can choose.
14 October 2007
Alpaca de Valparaíso
"The ship dropped anchor in the bay amid the thousands of gulls shattering the air with their tremendous wings and ravenous screeches.Countless small boats bobbed on the waves, some filled with huge live conger eels and sea bass flopping desperately for oxygen. Valparaíso (...) was the commercial emporium of the Pacific: in its warehouses were stored metals, sheep and alpaca wool, grains, and hides for the world's markets."
Isabelle Allende, Daughter of Fortune.
12 October 2007
11 October 2007
Considerate Director?
I am so proud of myself! I have managed to get children into a very neat bedtime routine, which means that they are dispatched off to bed at 7pm these days! I love this time of year - it doesn't take much convincing that it's VERY late when it's all dark outside. Hence, my peaceful evenings have expanded, and I'm getting back on track with the world of blogging knitters (I've got my priorities right, non?). In a successful attempt to avoid sorting out the paperwork for the accountant, I was surfing the net yesterday evening and found Penguin Horde, which diverted me to Personal DNA site.
I went off and did the test and was defined as a
I must say I tend to take this stuff with a generous pinch of salt, but this time I was impressed by the accuracy. Nick read the results laughing and repeating "This is so true!" Good entertainment/distraction, if that's what's required.
Top three highest scores were in the area of "Trust in others" (which I tend to express as "Trusting Life"), "Aesthetic" and "Attention to style". Lowest score of all was in the area of "Masculinity".
I must say it does explain how I ended up doing what I do.
I went off and did the test and was defined as a
I must say I tend to take this stuff with a generous pinch of salt, but this time I was impressed by the accuracy. Nick read the results laughing and repeating "This is so true!" Good entertainment/distraction, if that's what's required.
Top three highest scores were in the area of "Trust in others" (which I tend to express as "Trusting Life"), "Aesthetic" and "Attention to style". Lowest score of all was in the area of "Masculinity".
I must say it does explain how I ended up doing what I do.
10 October 2007
Covetable Socks
I only have a minute to let you all know how fabulous the last sock-making workshop was. Can I just say that I am impressed by the work produced by all the sock-making virgins. You can take my word for it - people arrived looking slightly apprehensive, unpacked their countless double pointed needles and, having had a cup of tea, braced themselves for whatever might come their way.
And lots did come their way. These weekend intensives are not called that for nothing!
I've managed to snap a few shots, so that I can show the world how the creative juices flew and what came into being.
These socks feature Partridge heel and a star toe:
The blue sock's twin is still on the needles. Lovely example of Dutch heel and toe:
The red socks are already famous. Click here to visit Miho's socks in a virtual gallery.
Long live the socks!
And lots did come their way. These weekend intensives are not called that for nothing!
I've managed to snap a few shots, so that I can show the world how the creative juices flew and what came into being.
These socks feature Partridge heel and a star toe:
The blue sock's twin is still on the needles. Lovely example of Dutch heel and toe:
The red socks are already famous. Click here to visit Miho's socks in a virtual gallery.
Long live the socks!
05 October 2007
Prick Your Finger
About 6 weeks ago children and I went to Victoria Park in East London to have a picnic. On our way back we stumbled upon this lovely shop.
Thought I would let you know so that you too can check it out. Well worth your while :) Run by Rachel and Louise. Can be found here
Be warned: we walked out with a bag full of wool.
01 October 2007
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