Learning

Nancy Shroyer's class has inspired me to think about my knitting in a whole new way. She teaches a color theory method which makes choosing the nine colors for the fair isle sampler exactly like planning a painting. Composition, form, balance, and mood are considered, and with the range of colors available (more than 80 I believe) it breaks out of my usual limited color range choices. I started spinning and dyeing fiber a few years ago to have the color range I love (mostly ochers and venetian red and indigo blues) but I never thought about the composition of my knitting in quite this way before. What a difference! All because I was determined to learn to cut and steek and finish the edges of a garment in a traditional way.....funny how that happens, innit it?
I love stretching my boundaries and learning new skills, but learning to see in a whole new way is particularly important to me right now. I can enlarge the charts on a local copy machine so I can make out the symbols, and I just love watching the designs develop.
I never thought I'd love working on teeny tiny needles, but actually my hands hurt less and I can knit comfortably for a longer period of time with the 1's and 3's (US) we are using for this sampler. For ONCE, I am actually getting gauge (honk, honk) with the recommended needles. 8 sts. per inch. Woohoo.
I am back to the diet I employed for the first three months of each of my pregnancies...saltine crackers and weak tea for breakfast. It helps the nausea, but it has also brought back a flood of memories. I LOVED being pregnant...such a powerful, creative time.
I always knew I'd be a Mother. It has been such a wonderful gift to look back at what my children have accomplished and who I've grown to be because of them. Now it is time to stretch into the next chapter of my life and learn to be self nurturing.
There is something very interesting that happens when your vision blurs and you are forced to go inward for the first twenty minutes of your day. My morning pages are filled with powerful insights gained during this meditation. The drops have turned out to be a blessing, as my greatest difficulty is just being STILL.
Here's hoping that the sun is breaking through the clouds in your corner of the universe, and that yoou are able to have a few moments of stillness and quiet for yourself.
What a wonderful GIFT.

Comments

[Bliss]

Sending you lots of love and hugs.

[sUsAn]

Your class sounds positively inspirational! Stillness & quiet...thank you, Greta for that reminder.

[Lisa, Mike, Jack, Della]

Hang in there, Greta. We're pulling for you and sending you completely positive vibes and woofs from the southwest.

[Margene]

Who knew when we learned to knit that it would bring so much to our lives.
Blessings to you in every way, dear Greta.

[Jennifer]

Wow, the symmetry between nurturing another life inside you then and nurturing a new life now. I had to look up how to spell symmetry just now and got the definition. Definiton 3: Beauty as a result of balance or harmonious arrangement. And now you're seeking balance through beauty.

Ooh I just tingle.

[Rachael]

Wonderful, wonderful post. And I love Jennifer's comment -- you're pregnant with the new YOU. That sounds odd out loud, but I think it has real resonance, doesn't it?

[Nathania]

I am so excited for you, Greta! So much possibility awaits. I love the notion of you, pregnant with the potential of a whole new way of living YOUR life. Rebirth comes in unexpected forms. I am thrilled to bear witness to yours.

[Joan in Reno]

Wonderful . . . stillness and just being with yourself. What an inspiring by-product of something difficult. A true silver lining. Pregnant with your new self, a beautiful metaphor. You are an inspiration. I love your blog (and you).