To Dream in Yarn

I've recently come to the realization that I really want to combine my two loves - writing and knitting - into one career.  My high aspiration is to publish my own knitting books with my designs in them and to one day write for Vogue Knitting.

That being said, I have a ways to go.

I think the key is to keep at it.  Keep designing on whims what I like and what I feel.  Keep knitting in as many colors and yarn types as I can.  And to write.  Oh yes.  Write.

Creation has become my oxygen.  I find more and more lately that if I'm not creating something at any given moment (be it an essay for school, a journal entry before bed, or a sweater while watching TV) then I feel empty.  I have no drive and feel like I have no purpose.

Maybe my purpose here on Earth right now is to create.  I think that must be what it means.  Right now, it's the thing I do that makes me feel alive.

I've started giving some thought to the kind of knitting books I would write.  I think the first one would be a book of hats.  Mens hats, womens hats, kids hats.  Some basic, some complex.  Something for everyone and every level, I think.  I've already started constructing patterns.  My favorite is my Heart Hat:

I created it last fall.  It would be a moderate pattern - a basic knowledge of colorwork is needed.

Then I think I would progress to mittens and gloves.  Then a book on scarves.  Then a book on sweaters.

That's what I want to do. 

The sky really is the limit. 

I'm not sure how I would get into writing or editing or designing for Vogue Knitting though.  I guess I just have to keep at it and start submitting things to various places, do my research and find where, try to get a job or internship, and did I mention keep at it?

Yeah.  It's going to be a bit of a long journey.

But I can't honestly think of a better one to take.

The Trouble with Scarves...

...is that they take forever. 

I'm on a self-imposed deadline.  Harry Potter comes out on Friday of next week.  My boyfriend and I are going to go see it.  I have my Slytherin scarf completely knitted and blocked; all it needs are the tassels.

His scarf, not so much.

I know I have a short attention span when it comes to knitting.  I don't know why - I've been doing it long enough that I'm a quick knitter.  But large projects lose me.  I like toys, hats, the occasional sock.  Things that take maybe a few days to finish.

Large projects - scarves, blankets, sweaters, etc. - cause me to get bored.  I think it may be that it's because of the sheer magnitude of them.  "Knit for 20 inches in stockinette stitch" or "Continue working in pattern until it reaches desired size".  Yeah.  I like it when patterns shake me up.  Like the scarf I made over spring break.  It has three different types of cables in it, making it both interesting to look at and to knit.

This scarf is a boring pattern.  I love making things for my loved ones.  And I love the way it looks.  But seriously.  Twenty two rows of stockinette stitch in one color, then twenty two rows in the next color.  It bores me.

But I can do this.  I have faith.  It's not like the sweater that I've about abandoned.  (I can use that chunky yarn to make some awesome toys or a nice bulky hat...)  This is for someone I love, for a special occasion.

It will get done.

And then I can celebrate by using the needles to make a lovely hat.

~Meaghan

Who's Wearing a Scarf in June?

This girl.

That's ok, though.  Scarves are totally in Vogue right now.

Right?

Oh geez, I really hope so...

~Meaghan