Where's Kitty?

I was on a roll this weekend, actually thought I'd get my Knit Swirl jacket done - at least the knitting part.  The weaving in of ends, sewing, will probably take another year.  It was snowing all day Sunday and felt like I was living in a snow globe.  Knitting away, my little companion was very cozy and became lost in the voluminous layers that is my Knit Swirl project.  All this before my casting off somehow ended up uneven in number and I put the damned thing aside, yet again.  If I didn't have so much time and money invested, I'd chuck the whole thing.  Oh Nikki...help!

This is it!

Yep, that's all there is.  An interesting way to bring mindfulness to every moment.  I know for myself, when moments are especially fabulous, I can go down the path of wanting to hold onto it because I know it won't last; spending a lot of energy wishing it would.  Instead of just being in the moment.  And of course, when moments aren't so swell, we tend to think they'll last forever.  As we all know, each moment passes for better or worse.   Some last longer than others, some are joyous, others not so  much.  Jon Kabat-Zinn coined the phrase "this is it" in his book "Wherever You Go, There You Are."  A wonderful read to help bring mindfulness into our everyday lives.  So as the holiday season gets underway, take a moment to breathe, find stillness and say "this is it!"

Knitting and Yoga

I've been asked to bring The Happiness Knitting Project into the yoga studio.  After Wednesday evening yoga, I'll be teaching my fellow yogi's how to knit.  Two of my favorite things combined.  How swell is that.  Everyone will be so relaxed after yoga, it will make for a very laid back class.  Nancy will even show us some good stretches to keep our wrists limber. 

I continue to be amazed at the places knitting will go.  Keeping myself open to the synchronicity of life and I'm always surprised.  Who'da thunk these two would go so well together but they're both perfect ways to reduce stress and much more fun when done with a group.  I've even heard it said

The Yarn Whisperer

I pulled this book down off the shelf for a second read.  It's written in vignettes of the author's knitting life and is a quick read.  Although I am enjoying it the second go around, I wouldn't say it's laugh out loud as the book jacket mentions.  I would say there's more sadness and how she uses knitting to get through those times. Nothing wrong with that however.  I'd recommend it as a quick, light read.

Courier Article

Here's the article I mentioned last week.  It turned out well and am excited to begin this project.  Please feel free to pass it along to anyone with breast cancer who'd like to learn knitting for mindful relaxation.  I'm hoping the group will be very successful and people will not only learn to knit, but to form friendships and provide support to one another during difficult times.

http://pikespeakcourier.net/stories/Diamond-initiates-knitting-group,171790?