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.

Update Time Again

Sorry for the slow update, guys.  I've had the flu for the past week.  The worst of it's passed it's course, but I pushed myself too hard yesterday and am paying for it today.  So that's where I've been for most of the week - at home, on the couch.

My yarn made it to me.  It's beautiful.  The sweater is going to be so nice when I get it done.  Totally worth it.

School starts next week.  I think I'm ready for it.  One of my classes got cancelled, so my load is a bit lighter.  It's going to be a busy but good semester.  Then I get to create a resume and get a full time, real world job.  Which terrifies and thrills me, so we aren't going to think about it right now.

My boyfriend is settled in his new college town.  I'm going to go see him either at the end of next month or the middle of March.  He's in Boulder, so there's a lot of cool stuff to do and see up there - Celestial Seasonings, the Pearl Street Mall, etc.  I'm excited.  He seems to like it up there.  He's optimistic and happy for the first time in a long time, which makes me happy.  Our relationship is as strong as ever.

Can you believe we've been dating for over 8 months now?  That seems like such a long time, yet it feels so short.  It's like I've known him my whole life. :)

I ordered his birthday gift today.  I got him (and no telling him, okay?) a boxed set of Anne Rice books.  He loves Interview with the Vampire, so I got him a collection of the first four books - Interview, the Vampire Lestat, Queen of the Damned, and something about a corpse.  I'm so excited. =D

Life is pretty good, other than being sick.  As soon as this nasty thing passes, I should be back up and running like normal.  Which I want more than anything.  I really do.

I started a pair of cabled socks (I'm adapting the pattern myself) and a pull down shirt for my sister. This is my year to knit and write and grab life by the horns.  It's too short to not do what makes you happy.

And on that note, I'm off.  I hope you are having a great weekend, dear readers. :)

~Meaghan

The Yarn Has Been Purchased.

I found a pattern last night that is both simple enough for a beginner but complicated enough that I won't get bored.  It's called the Barfly and I got it out of my Pints and Purls knitting book.  I'm excited to finally work on it.  (I've been eyeing it since I got the book two years ago but never worked up the dedication to actually do it.)

So today I did the whole transfer money thing and ordered my yarn.  Ultimately I decided on Wool Ease by Lion Brand yarn in Blue Mist.  It's a mellow blue with shades of gray and green in it.  They don't carry it pretty much any of the stores around here (and the one that does have it doesn't ever have it in the quantities I need) so I ordered it from the site.

In case no one told you, dear readers, knitting (or any yarn craft for that matter) is an expensive hobby/lifestyle.  It cost me $47 to get the yarn needed to make the sweater.  Why am I doing this if it's cheaper and quicker to just go to the store and buy one?

Because I want the satisfaction of making something.  Because the yarn is so beautiful I can't stop myself from wanting to play with it.  Because it's challenging and fun and ultimately a great way to spend free time.

That's why.

It's a bit of an obsession, really.  I just can't help myself from wanting to play with yarn and make things.  Even if all my money goes to it.  All things considered, it's a better thing to be addicted to than what I used to do anyway to relieve stress.

So yeah.

The yarn has been bought.  There's no way out of this one.  This sweater will be made.

Until the next time, dear readers.

~Meaghan

Hello, January.

I think 2012 is going to be a year of conspiracy theories. 

Don't quote me on that.  I could be wrong.  But based on the conversations my family and I were having earlier, I'm pretty sure this year is going to be filled with conspiracies.  That's okay with me, I like them. I think conspiracies are fun.

(And possibly true.)

My goals for the year are as I said in the previous blog: be true to myself, order coffee with non-fat milk but keep the whipped cream, and take the stairs.

I'm adding something to that, though:

Knit a sweater.

I have never had all the proper needles to knit one in the round and my attention span is too short to do one in pieces.  But now I have all the circular needles I will ever need.  And I am determined.  My knitting is getting better and better and better, and faster and faster and faster.

I will have a sweter by December 31, 2012.  I will.

There's a lot of planning that has to go into this choice, though.  First, I have to pick a pattern I like. (I have never made one before, so designing my own would be unwise for the first project.)  Then I have to choose yarn that I A.) can afford in the amount needed and B.) like well enough to play with it every day and then eventually wear.  (I plan on wearing this monstrosity, no matter how it turns out.)

So I plan on spending the rest of the week going through my patterns until I find one I really, really love.  Something fun and not too boring.  Something I can knit in the round and not in pieces. And, of course, something I can wear that will be flattering.

Thus, no varigated or self-stripping yarn, cause that would give horizontal stripes which are not, under any circumstance, flattering.  Unless you're a size 00 and desperately need to look heavier for whatever reason.

Hmm, choices choices.

I'll let everyone know what I decide.  Like I said, no internet at home, so blogging is spurratic at best.  I'm at the library right now. :)

I hope everyone had a safe new year's and that this year brings blessings to all.

~Meaghan