My obsession with knitting is good for my soul

Just in general I try not to be too new age-y when it comes to spirituality but sometimes it just works. When I am knitting I find myself feeling very calm and at ease. There is only the stitch.
The type of work I do is always detail work. I need good light. I have to wear glasses. I have to pay attention. When I knit things like hats or scarves I can make a mistake and fudge a little to make things work but when I am knitting lace every stitch has to be correct for the pattern to emerge. As I knit I mentally say each repeat of the stitch pattern to myself like a mantra. When I am done the lace is a testament to my patience care while I was knitting. I have blended my daily meditation into my craft. The knitting has helped me to be more present and take more care in my quilting projects and in my everyday chores. Being still and doing something very repetitive give me a chance to think about my concerns, my fears, and my goals.
In this world full of distractions I have found a way to be quiet. I am thankful for my knitting. I am thankful for the meditation. And it doesn't hurt that I have something useful when I am done.

I'm in love

Yes, another shawl

I had to do it. I had to make another swallowtail shawl. I made it larger than the pattern called for by adding a few repeats. I think it turned out just gorgeous.

Ooh shiny!

I'm adding beading to my knitting for the first time. Having the right tools for the job really helps in this instance. I have a tambour beading hook that makes sliding the beads onto the stitches go like a dream. I can't wait to finish and block it.

How addictive is knitting?

It's a good question. I feel like I should be going to meetings to deal with my addiction. I have been knitting lace shawls non-stop. Why does no one tell you that when you start knitting lace that you will never stop?
Now for the loveliness:

And don't even get me started on my renewed love of crochet...
I am still learning how to use my new knitting machines but I have only made samples. It's getting easier. Ok, off to knit some more.

I am such a yarn whore

More finished objects

mmmm yarn

Ooh, the spring Knitty is up!

Coffee and Knitting

Oh so many projects

It has been very cold and I have been feeling under the weather but I have still been knitting like a mad woman. I haven't been playing with my machines much because of the under-the-weather-ness but it it easy to knit in bed. I'd go into more detail but I am tired, so click the pictures to get to the patterns.

Don't knit while sick

Yesterday I was sick but I wanted to still be productive so I knit a match to a sock I had mad a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I used the wrong keyplate in my USM and now I have a momma bear and a baby bear sock. So heed my advice and do not knit while sick. I have been trying to learn how to translate hand knitting patterns into machine knitting patterns. It has been an adventure to say the least but I am having a lot of fun. Learning to machine knit has been very exciting. I haven't been this passionate about any craft since I first learned how to sew. So now instead of always being covered in thread I am covered in yarn. I'm having fun and I am feeling better.

I love socks

Hello, my name is Cheryl and I am a sock-aholic. I finally got around to trying to make some Alltogether socks on my USM. It took four tries for me to make a perfect pair, but I really do love them. Thank you Heidi for writing up such a cool tutorial. There is nothing better than not having any seams to sew up once you are done knitting them. I was so happy that I didn't have to sew anything that I embroidered all over them! I got my inspiration from some embroideries I saw on a pairs of Knucks on knitty.com. I''m still cleaning and learning how to use my new knitting machines and so far they seem to be in good working order. I'll keep you posted.

Renewed faith in humanity

Yesterday I wrote an e-mail to Susan who is the YouTube machine knitting video goddess to try and pick her brain about my Knitmaster 321. I reached out for help with my new machine and Susan graciously pointed me in the right direction. After the past few weeks of dealing with the frustrations with the post office, WalMart, PayPal, the bank, and the lost or stolen credit card folks I didn't feel like I had much to hold on to. My faith in humanity is officially restored. Thank you Susan, you are awesome.
Oh, and DHL rocks as a delivery service. I recieved my new computer today (I'm using it right now) without having to track it down like I'm Dog the bounty hunter or something. Thumbs up DHL.

Freakin' finally

My knitting machines finally came yesterday, but only after having to shift into "angry black woman" mode. I am a really mellow chick but when people do not do their jobs properly they only get two chances to interact with me in "reasonable, understanding black woman" mode. Okay, I'm over it now.
Hooray! My machines are here! They are so much cooler than my Bond machine. Now I just have to learn to use them properly. Wheee!