Enter the forest...

“Come to the woods, for here is rest.
There is no repose like that of the green deep woods.
Sleep in forgetfulness of all ill.”

— John Muir

A summer mountain meadow in McCall, Idaho

The forest beckons. A call to venture deep into the heart of nature. Is it to escape from troubled times? To find peace? Connect with all that is good. Maybe it's all of these reasons.

There is a stillness that can be found in the forest, yet, ironically there's no silence to be found. The rustling of the leaves, the lull of the wind as it moves through the needles on the tall pines. The trees standing firmly grounded yet swaying with whatever storms come their way.  There's a comfort to be found in the melody of the forest. It's as if the trees are whispering.... sssshhhhhh, pay close attention and listen very closely, "be strong and supple" says the mighty forest.

“I hear the wind among the trees
Playing celestial symphonies;
I see the branches downward bent,
Like keys of some great instrument.”

— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

Unfortunately not all of us have easy access to the forest so finding solace in the woods isn't a daily or even weekly option. Here's a way to create your own peaceful forest to wear any day you may need to find peace. I've reworked Project Peace using a worsted weight yarn ("Ringmaster") with the colorway "Tree Beard" from KnitCircus Yarns.

Knit your own peaceful forest with the pattern "Project Peace" in "Tree Beard" from KnitCircus.

Modifications to Project Peace:

Yarn: KnitCircus Ringmaster (worsted weight) in "Tree Beard," 100 grams

Needles: size 7, 24" in length (or size to get gauge)

Gauge: approximately 20 stitches per 4 inches in waffle-stitch pattern

I cast on 120 stitches, knit 16 repeats of the pattern and then did Rounds 1-3. I used the i-cord bind-off method and did not put an i-cord on the bottom of the cowl. You can knit however many repeats you choose. Ultimately I knit this many repeats to maximize how much yarn I had. My pre-blocked measurements were 8.5 inches (high) by 25 inches (circumference). I wet-blocked my cowl and laid it out so that it would be a little narrower and taller post-blocking. My post (wet)-blocking measurements were 9.5 inches (high) by 23 inches (circumference).

A note about Knit Circus Yarns. This small-business is truly amazing. Jaala and her crew have the most incredible colorways that really speak to my creative spirit. She's able to translate life events, feelings, and locations into yarn. She always has yarn in the shop (referred to as ASAP) but many more colorways are available as "dye-to-order." I just looked and there was only 1 skein of Tree Beard in-stock but this is usually a dye-to-order colorway. Jaala provided 2 skeins of yarn as give-aways during Project Peace and was inspired to host a kindness knit-along (find details here) as a result of Project Peace.

Mindful Monday Tip #5

Taking care of "self" is always important. During stressful times it becomes even more important yet self-care is often the first thing we lose. Many people are finding themselves very stressed with these global tumultuous times and rightly so. The desire to choose peace during your day may seem like a distant memory.

Before we get too far into the week, take a moment today and write down one way you will keep peace at the forefront of your day. The forest represents peace. How will you bring that peace into your day, every day this week?

Commit to it and leave a comment here. 

Snow and peace...

Have you ever stopped to think about how easily our mood can be influenced by the weather? How this influence varies from person to person? The sun, rain, snow, wind can bring joy, frustration, gratitude, despair, relief, or anguish depending on one's perspective. And it really is about perspective isn't it? The rain may bring relief from a hot summer spell yet the timing of the rain for the farmer may decrease crop yield. A snowstorm may be soothing and comforting whereas to a traveler it threatens one's safety. Yes, it's all about perspective and remembering that so many things aren't right or wrong. It's all a matter of opinion.

I love all the seasons. Each one provides something so unique. While I'm in the midst of each season I find myself always declaring..."this is my favorite." And then the next season comes. Call me fickle but perhaps it's an example of "living in the moment" and appreciating the here and now. Most likely it is the former.

And here I am in the throes of winter without much snow with lots of ugly weather...ice, frigid temperatures, nasty wind, grey skies and a few dreary days. This is not the pretty picture that decorates the images of winter I have painted in my head. To me, winter is all about snow. I grew up in a land filled with a winter that spanned months on end...October to May and sometimes June. Despite the length of time it was a wonderful place because the land was covered by magical snow. In January it was so cold the snow was as light and fluffy as the finest angora; we called it "champagne powder." Stunning. No one really complained at least not until the snow started melting leaving a messy, messy place; oh, the mud. At least that was my perspective and I know it differs from others.

As I sit here dreaming of white, fluffy flakes I'm reminded of my blog post from the 2016 peace-along about snow as a metaphor for peace. A winter wonderland that soothes, nurtures, comforts, and provides a time to rest and renew. We retreat inside to escape the elements, wrap ourselves in textured woolens, stoke the fire, and place our hands around a warm cup filled with our beverage of choice. Yet the winter landscape provides us with the most amazing playground, to ski, snowshoe, skate, or take a walk. While the earth is in a slumber there's still so much to enjoy, to view, to appreciate.

I'm seeing more and more knitwear designers, indi-dyers, and yarn companies promoting spring. No not yet, it's only January. We've got months left and I still want to rest, retreat, play in the snow and dream of white fluffy snowflakes. So, I'm going to continue to knit for winter because after all, let's live in the moment and not yearn for what is to come.

To say that I was inspired as a result of Project Peace would be an understatement. I've not yet figured out the best way to synthesize all my thoughts, dreams, and future action items so I continue to move forward bringing to life pieces and parts that moved me during the peace-along. One idea was to create a collection of knitted items themed on snow. I'm working diligently on these patterns but just like a magnificent snowfall, grand things take a bit of time.

For the first pattern themed on snow, I've reworked one of my previous patterns called "Snowy Walk" using a yarn that is from a US company that was one of the first to use American wool, mill and dye it in the States. At the time the company began this really was a new idea. For this reason, I LOVE Quince & Co. yarns but the added plus is that the yarns are wonderful. In "Snowy Walk" I've used Finch, a fingering weight yarn that shows off the stitch definition amazingly well. Plus you can make this project for under $25.

Snowy Walk is a lightweight, cozy cowl with a relatively simple lace pattern inspired by pine boughs covered with snow. It's knit in the round and is the perfect knit when you want to practice being attentive but not at the expense of committing to a really complicated project.  The lace instructions are provided in a chart or written format. One of my dear knitting friends that test knits for me said "this is my all time favorite Healthy Knitter design." 

Grab a warm cup of tea in your favorite mug, get cozy on the sofa, and treat yourself to a fun to knit, lace project.

And as I mentioned at the beginning of the year, blog subscribers will receive bonuses not advertised elsewhere. For a limited time, please use the coupon code "SNOWYWALKBLOG17" to receive 20% off. You'll need to enter the coupon code prior to checking out on Ravelry. Coupon expires on 1/29/17. To purchase Snowy Walk, click here.

Whether or not there is snow in your neighborhood, wear your Snowy Walk cowl wherever you are and dream of a winter wonderland.

Photo: Gallatin National Forest, south of Bozeman, MT.

Photo: Gallatin National Forest, south of Bozeman, MT.

Mindful Monday Tip #4

January can be a rough month for a lot of reasons but the weather can play a major factor. As I look outside it's grey...a dreary, depressing grey and I love the color grey so for me to describe it as depressing must really mean it is blah! Take a few minutes and listen to this soothing piece of music by Yo-Yo Ma. Shut your eyes and daydream about all that is good about the season you are currently in...anytime a less than cheery thought enters your mind, mentally sweep it away. Find joy in your current season's weather.

Listen here

Near Mammoth, Yellowstone National Park.

A Snowy Walk...where will it take you? Think of all the possible peaceful adventures that await.

May each step and stitch bring you peace,

Christina

Dream big...

In the US, today is a holiday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Typically a day when school's, banks, and many businesses are closed but it always seems to be just another day to be busy, catch up and make use of the extra day. Yet we are in the midst of an ice storm so the normal hustle and bustle has ceased, leaving it a quiet, peaceful day...as it should be.

Today we honor a man that inspired many to collective action to end segregation at least as it existed in the '60s. MLK is remembered as a peace activist and a pivotal person in the civil rights movement. He had a dream, a dream that we would all live as a community in peace (his words were "brotherhood").

Before we get to the Mindful Monday tip, I wanted to share an update with you. Last November, I conducted the Third Healthy Knitter mystery knit-along and walk-along. Over the holidays I was able to get some excellent photos of the cowl with much gratitude to my son for taking the photos and my daughter for "modeling." I am pleased to reveal the consolidated pattern with new photos.

Stravaigin is a word used on Shetland, a collection of islands north of Scotland, and means “to wander about idly without purpose; to roam.” Walking on Shetland is different from the US where most walking or hiking takes place on predetermined paths. On Shetland there are walking routes, but there’s no clear path. There are little signs with arrows pointing you in the direction of travel located here and there . . . and you hope that you’ll find the next one without getting lost. The motifs used in this cowl represent the arrows and the crooked path one might take while walking on the peat bogs covered with heather. This quick-to-knit colorwork cowl is the perfect size for wearing on a chilly walk.

This pattern is meant to be a nice little side project that allows you to knit each day yet still find time to stravaig. I've heard from several people that Stravaigin was their first colorwork project and they are now hooked on all things stranded!

This pattern is available for purchase on Ravelry. And just for blog subscribers, I've created a special coupon code for 20% off. Enter the code "BLOGSTRAVAIG17" at check-out. Just so I'm being very clear, you have to enter the code before you "check-out" to receive the discount. Coupon will expire in 1 week ( end of the day on 1/22/17).

Stravaigin, a colorwork cowl that is simple and quick to knit. Click on the image to purchase the pattern.

Mindful Monday Tip #3

As I mentioned at the beginning of the blog, it's MLK Day in the US.  I've been thinking about how to incorporate MLK Day into a tip. Certainly, MLK is well known for many speeches and quotes but none perhaps more famous than the one below.

“I have a dream. One day my four little children will live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

— Martin Luther King, Jr. August 28, 1963

Last week I was writing about "world peace" in my own journal. What is it? What does it really mean. I wrote this:

Has there ever been a time in history when world peace existed? Is it within the human capacity to achieve a peaceful state? Perhaps peace can be defined as:

• the absence of war
• the absence of conflict
• the ability to disagree respectfully without malice or negative consequences
• to live without fear
• to have basic needs fulfilled...food and water, clothing, shelter
• to treat self, neighbor and stranger with compassion and respect without bias and judgment.

It was on this last thought that I stopped and felt I'd come full circle. Treating self with respect brings us back to peace begins within. As I've thought about my possible descriptions of world peace I'm brought back to the famous MLK quote above. Living in a world where our outwardly appearances do not define us.

So, here's something to try. How would you describe yourself (or think of any person you like) to someone that cannot see. If we are trying to describe a person to someone else and cannot use physical descriptors we have to look deeper than appearances.

And finally, MLK had a dream. What's your dream? And as always, please leave a comment. Your thoughts are always so inspirational.

Walking as meditation...

Prior to May, I'd never heard of Thich Nhat Hanh. And then, everywhere I turned I found books, quotes, images and websites authored by or dedicated to this man. Thich Nhat Hanh is a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, poet, and a peace and human rights activist. I first discovered his work while poking around the most wonderful bookstore on Martha's Vineyard with "walking" on my mind. I'd picked up many books, reading the back covers, thoroughly enjoying myself but I'd not yet found anything I had to bring home. Then, I found this book "How to Walk" by Thich Nhat Hanh. Each page has a thought to contemplate; it's easy to read, very inspriational and doesn't require a huge time commitment.  

I mentioned to my daughter how excited I was that I'd found this book. How perfect it was considering all the time I was devoting to the topic of walking... thinking while walking, thinking about walking. She said "Mom, why do you need a book that tells you how to walk? It's easy...you put one foot in front of the other, repeat." Aah, grasshopper, yes, it appears easy but there's so much more to be gained from walking than the simple act of one foot down, repeat. At least that's the message contained within this book.  

And then I noticed a photo at the place I was staying...

Perhaps I'd seen quotes by him before and just ignored them.

Perhaps I wasn't ready.

Perhaps I wasn't living in the moment enough to see what was in front of me.

Perhaps I was just too busy walking for the sake of putting one foot in front of the other to be aware of the need to appreciate each step.

Perhaps I was too busy thinking about the product to appreciate the process. 

Time to slow things down a bit and take mindful steps. Yes, setting goals when it comes to walking is good but if we lose sight of what's to be gained from each walk, each mile, each step perhaps we are too numb to notice our surroundings.

Mindful Monday's Peace Tip #2 is a reading from Thich Naht Hanh's book "How to Walk." You might consider replacing the word "sitting" with "knitting" as you read this.

“People ask me, “Why do you do walking meditation?” The best answer I can give is, “Because I like it.” Every step makes me happy. There’s no use in doing walking meditation if you’re not going to enjoy every step you make; it would be a waste of time. The same thing is true with sitting meditation. If somone asked, “What’s the use of sitting for hours and hours?” The best answer is, “Because I like sitting.” Sitting and walking can bring peace and joy. We have to learn how to sit and walk so that we can produce peace and joy during the time of sitting or the time of walking. We have to learn to walk so that we can enjoy every step. Mindfulness and concentration can bring a higher quality to our breath, to our sitting, and to our steps.”

— Thich Naht Hanh

May you find an awareness of being present with each stitch and step that you create and take throughout this week. May you find peace and joy in all that you do. 

Footsteps in the sand.

South Beach on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.