I finished my Harlow hat for our #Spin2KnitHarlow make-a-long! I bound it off this morning, just in time for the final day of the MAL. A big thank you to my co-hosts Claire and Mckenzie, and to everyone who participated in spinning and knitting along with us!!!
My three knitting projects on rotation this month were my Harlow hat, a Half + Half Wrap (pattern by Purl Soho), and a Porty Cardigan (pattern by Gudrun Johnston). I felt so scattered mentally this month, that it was real test of self-control to practice focus and patience and dedication to just those projects. Even though I love all of them, I can easily fall prey to a spontaneous cast-on—something I’m trying to stop doing as I move towards mindfulness and care and SLOWNESS in my knitting practice. <3
In the spirit of seeing projects through to completion, I finally finished this handmade pillow that I started weaving last July! You can read about the beginning of this Rya pillow here. I’m sad I didn’t have the patience at the time to weave another one of these on the warp because I love how this one turned out. Ha!
After letting the finished warp sit on a shelf for far too long, I pulled it out last week along with my sewing machine to zig-zag stitch the edges before cutting it apart. Then after a quick wash and air dry, I used some leftover linen fabric to sew an envelope style pillow (following this tutorial by Gist). More handwoven pillows are in my future, I’m sure. And I’ll be sure to get some detail shots of this one once the sunshine returns to NYC.
Speaking of warps—I have a new warp on my loom, but I’ve been dragging my feet on actually sitting down to weave. Maybe February will bring more weaving for me? Fingers crossed.
How beautiful is my new raddle, though?! It was a Christmas gift from my sister and future brother-in-law, who is a very talented woodworker. I think I screamed when I received it—what a special gift!! Thank you again, Paige and Louis.
This January felt like trudging through mud in so many ways and I found myself picking up this book—The Practice by Seth Godin—as a respite and reminder to orient myself back to my creative practice. I’m only halfway through it, but I’d say it’s a good follow up (or alternative?) to The Artist’s Way.
What are your favorite books on creativity or creative practices? Please do share. :)
I’m hoping to have a vlog up on my Youtube channel sometime in the next week. So I’ll see you there!!! And talk to you later!
<3 Madison
Btw… I’ve been drowning out my existential dread with listening to this playlist (below) on repeat.
I wanted to join in on the Harlow MAL but didn’t end up finding the time. I would love to join in on another spin-to-knitalong in the future though!
yes to more weaving time (and knitting time and reading time and walking/being in nature time). I've cut off social media (except substack and already curated YT videos). Will absolutely be there for the call to burn everything down, but until then avoiding the "news" that elected the emporer, and will continue to stay away as long as I can.