International Day of Peace...

“Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condition of mind brought about by a serenity of soul. Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is also a state of mind. Lasting peace can come only to peaceful people.” ”

— Jawaharlal Nehru

Today, the world celebrates International Day of Peace on Sept. 21, a day established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2001 for people to come together to observe a period of non-violence and ceasefire.

For me, this day serves as a reminder that peace is a choice... my thoughts, my words, my actions to self and others have the power to promote peace. While not a simple task and perhaps one of life's greatest challenges but certainly, in the scheme of life, these peaceful choices may be one of my greatest contributions to my family, community and beyond.

I became aware of International Peace Day last December, during Project Peace. I've been thinking (and planning) for this day since that time. I wanted to create a knitting pattern in honor of this very special day to serve as a reminder that we must continue to choose peace...not lack of action or a passive life but small and simple ways to be kind to self and those around us.

Earlier this year, I discovered the International Peace Park, a union of Waterton and Glacier National Parks in Canada and the US, respectively. In 1932, the park was formed to demonstrate how two countries can manage land collaboratively. I've used this park as the theme for the newest Healthy Knitter shawl pattern, International Peace Park. I was inspired to create a shawl that would be accessible to most knitters so you'll find this to be a relatively simple knit with a few features to keep your attention.

I hope you enjoy the pattern as much as I have thinking about how to integrate the United States, Glacier and Waterton National Parks, Canada and the International Peace Park into a shawl. If you read the pattern description on Ravelry, you'll see that the shawl is really a map of the area.

In this design, I wanted to utilize yarns from Montana and/or Canada. I've used some lovely hand-dyed yarn by Sharyn at the Yarn Scout. All her colorways are inspired by the Montana landscape; I've chosen Alpine Lakes and Lichen to remind me of my camping trip to Glacier National Park with my daughter this past summer.

International Peace Park Shawl now available on Ravelry

Alternatively, Sharyn has some very special and limited Montana Targhee yarn paired with some fingering weight Koigu (Canadian based). Her color combination is stunning. If you are looking for that extra special yarn and connection to Montana you'll want to contact the Yarn Scout to find out more about these yarn bundles (info@yarnscout.com).

Targhee-Koigu version of the International Peace Park shawl

The pattern is now available on Ravelry. Through Monday September 25, use the coupon code (IPP2017) at check-out to receive 20%. This discount is only being offered to all of you on the blog so the discount will not be automatically applied; don't forget to enter the coupon code.

May your day be filled with peace, knitting, walking and a few moments to slow things down. Perhaps consider lighting a candle this evening to reflect on the meaning of peace in your life.

Christina

Fall is here...

It's been far too long since I've reached out via the blog. Rest assured, I've been hard at work preparing several knitting-focused, peace-related activities just for you. I've even created a calendar of events to give you some insight into what's coming in the next 3.5 months.

Despite our current high temperatures and humidity, the leaves are turning, the corn and soybean fields are drying up, and there's been the most delightful crispness in the air. Our family meals are shifting from summer harvest (e.g. greens, tomatoes, berries) to root veggies and roasted meats. I'm always pleased when I can begin making more soups and a loaf of homemade bread here and there.

I've come to realize that while there are four seasons and so many aspects of life are quarterly, I find myself in a natural rhythm of 'threes;' fall, spring, summer. Odd, as my favorite season is winter but my life is structured by the academic year. Creating goals centered around quarters isn't working for me. Therefore this schedule of events is for fall, taking us through December. I'll create a new one for spring and then for summer. If you'd like to print the fall event schedule, you can hover over the image to access the pdf.

As a child, I loved fall and the thrill of returning to school. As an adult, I still love the weather, the fading of the environment from vibrancy to dormancy, and the increased opportunity to knit but it seems less care-free. Perhaps with the increased utilization of social media, the ability to hype up fall and "knitting season" has been enhanced. While I love the fact that there's so much excitement about knitting, I find myself a wee bit overwhelmed with all the possibilities. I've found about 5 sweaters I want to make now (and wear tomorrow) and this number seems to increase daily. This influx of new knitting patterns by so many talented designers is making knitting a bit stressful. What to do?

Well, I certainly don't want to overwhelm anyone with more knitting possibilities so I decided to be transparent with my plans for the fall. The patterns are appropriate for an advanced beginner wanting to learn a new technique or two or someone wanting to tackle their first color work pattern (e.g. Camino de Paz). The mystery knit-along in November accompanied with the walk-along will be a great 2nd color work project.

All of the yarns used in these patterns have a story; whether it be from a small alpaca farm, organic wool, plant-based, or hand-dyed to capture the landscapes of a specific region. These are special yarns but not so unique that you can't substitute or stash-dive as appropriate. Whether you join us for one pattern or all, I think there's something to please everyone's knitting desires. Most importantly, each pattern was designed with peace in mind.

Speaking of peace...

Did you know that tomorrow, 9/21 is the International Day of Peace as declared by the United Nations? It's also equinox. One of my main projects this summer was to create a commemorative pattern for this very special day. Tomorrow, a new shawl pattern will be released call "International Peace Park." I'll share more with you on the blog tomorrow about the very special place that inspired the design, a photo of the shawl, and provide you with a Ravelry code for 20% off your purchase.

Stay tuned...and the artwork for the pattern cover page is downright adorable. You'll definitely want to print the cover and hang on your work area wall.

Finally, I've been working diligently on Project Peace 2017 including designing the pattern, creating promotional materials, working with a couple of indie dyers to create special colorway(s), identifying appropriate charities to receive proceeds from Project Peace... the list goes on. Oh, and my mum is busy making project bags.

I need your help telling others about Project Peace. As many of you know, this is not just another knit-along...this really is about spreading peace around the world through our communities, knitters and beyond. I'll share more later about this year's theme (all I can say is that I think you'll love it). At the end of this month, I'll tell you about the Project Peace messenger program. For now, please share with everyone you know that PP2017 will begin 12/1. If you're subscribed to the blog, you'll stay current with PP2017 events (and as always receive member exclusive pattern discounts).

Stay tuned for an update tomorrow...a special celebration for the International Day of Peace.

Day 9...gratitudE

And here we are on the 9th day celebrating all that the letter E has to offer us.

Everything

Energy

Earth

Environment

Eunomia that which is order.

I have several days of the year that I call my favorite day (e.g. Winter Solstice, Christmas Day) but this one really is at the top. Here's why...

It's my birthday! Now, I know that many people find their birthday a special day, as it should be. But this day really is a day for so many people even if they don't know it.

First, it's Canada Day (akin to the US 4th of July). Happy Day to all those in Canada.

Second, today was also the birthday of Princess Diana. What an incredible example a graceful woman especially given the environment she lived.

Third, (now this is the part that always made the day feel extra-special to me)...it's the half-way mark through the year. And this is what makes the day potentially important to everyone. We should treat July 1 with as much celebration as January 1. Today, you have the opportunity to reflect on the first half of the year and decide if you are on course for the next 6 months. I intentionally wanted to end the Gratitude-along on July 1 just so that you could reflect on the past 8 days today and summarize on this day that marks "half-way."

I'd first like to thank everyone for participating in Eunomia. The comments have been wonderful, inspiring, insightful and meaningful. Please continue to post photos of your cowl in progress or finished on the Ravelry Healthy Knitter group. I'm truly grateful to all of you

SALE: I'd like to share the day with you. Purchase any pattern in my Ravelry shop using the coupon code (JULY1BDAY) at checkout to receive 20% off. The coupon expires on July 7, 2017.

GIVEAWAY: On Monday I'll announce the winner from the 1st day of the Gratitude-along AND the winner from today's give-away. YES, a give-away and it's something special. Last summer I was able to dye several skeins of fingering weight yarn on a base similar to Madeline Tosh Light. It's beautiful and I want to share. So, I'll send two skeins (~400 yds each) in two different but complimentary colors to the lucky winner. All you have to do is leave a comment on today's blog post that has to do with gratitude and/or peace. Leave your comment before Monday July 3rd at noon. Nothing random about the choosing the winner...I'll select a comment that really captures the essence of gratitude, peace, knitting, etc.

Here's today's letter..."E."

Day 8...gratituDe

Living in the moment...you've heard it said many times before but is this part of gratitude? Most likely, yes. I'll never be one to truly live in the moment as I've other people depending on me to know tomorrow's schedule or the fact that I can learn from my mistakes. Yet, I do find myself giving too much time to thinking about the future or dwelling on the past that it pulls me away from what's happening at that moment. Maybe you do this as well?

When we knit there's an opportunity to "be present" and focus on the moment. The stitch you just knit represents the past, the stitch you've just inserted your right needle into is the present and the one you'll knit next is the future. For most knitting, the only stitch that truly matters at any moment is the one you are currently knitting but how many times are we thinking about future rows or what project you'll knit next once this is finished or wishing away this really challenging (or change that to boring) section? There are so many ways our knitting shows us where ourfocus is (or is not). Sometimes we all need some mindless knitting, I get that, but perhaps we don't need this every time.

Today when you knit be aware of the stitch as you knit (or purl) it. Are you focused on that moment or has your mind drifted elsewhere? If it has, where did you go? Bring your attention back to the present stitch.

Eunomia is an excellent project to practice focused knitting (aka mindfulness) due to the structure of the stitch pattern (there's repeats of 2, 4, and 8 within each 16 stitch repeat). Use these simple repeats to test how long you stay focused.

Today's letter is "D." On previous days, the letter was somehow connected to my message however this time any connections you create are by chance. Looking forward to reading your words/interpretation for the letter "D."