Rest improves creativity. Personally, I am most inspired when surrounded by nature. I was privileged to spend last weekend in Banff National Park. It was beautiful and I'm slowly processing what we experienced and the photos we took. Photo shows Lake Louise, within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. If you would like to help celebrate Canada 150, the free 2017 Discovery Pass provides unlimited opportunities to enjoy national parks, national marine conservation areas, and national historic sites across Canada! Additional Resources Why a Rested Brain Is More Creative Neuroscience: Relaxing Makes You More Creative my review of The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative by Florence Williams … [Read more...] about rest for creative inspiration
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Introducing CLU
I'd like to introduce you to my newest pattern CLU, a knit cowl. Variable stitch choices create a cowl that provides interest on both sides of the fabric. This transition piece plays with binary space to add warmth when there's a chill in the air. Named in honor of CLU, a programming language created by Barbara Liskov at MIT in the mid-1970s. This pioneering language introduced many features found in modern programming languages by helping lead to the the object-oriented programming known today. Here are three quick links that provide more information about Liskov, CLU, and general code: Barbara Liskov History of CLU (PDF File) Paul Ford: What is Code? The stitch pattern plays with twisted stitches, p2togs, and eyelets to create a piece that is interesting to work and forms an interesting fabric on both sides. The bamboo provides sheen while the superwash merino … [Read more...] about Introducing CLU
trade show preparations
This weekend is the summer trade show event for the needlearts industry. It's an event I look forward to each year. There are many benefits to attending a trade show no matter your industry, in my prior life I looked forward to Legaltech each January. Why attend a tradeshow? Trade shows offers a concentration dose of everything important for your industry. In addition to an exhibit hall, you can attend seminars and take classes. They are also great networking opportunities for your industry. Yes, Legaltech is all about legal technology and TNNA is for the needle arts. While similar to events like sheep and wool festivals, they are for professionals and often require qualifying documentation to attend. Is it possible to do all of this virtually? Yes. However, the benefits to face-to-face meetings and seeing new products in person cannot be overstated. 3 Tips for walking the … [Read more...] about trade show preparations
How I choose my travel projects
While there's always a small project in my bag, the projects that travel are chosen with different criteria. It's always tempting to try to bring everything with me, the question "what if I want to work x, y, z" is a tempting siren song. Over the years I've discovered what travels best with me and I learned to leave the rest at home. Type and Duration First I consider the length of my travel, not only for days away but the method of journey. Am I on a long direct flight or will I need to stop and sprint through an airport or train station to make my connection? Is there any possibility of not always having complete access to my bag? If the project cannot fit in a small yarn stuff sack (or similar size), unless it's a car trip from my house, it can't come. Am I sitting in one spot, such as a long haul flight? Unless I need to rush to my next mode of transit, then I will … [Read more...] about How I choose my travel projects
notebooks for travel
When it's a regular knitting journey either to knit-night or a short road trip, choosing what to bring is easy. The question becomes daunting when faced with longer travel and further complicated if an international trip is on the horizon. We're approaching peak travel season here in the US. Early next month, I'll be in Ohio for a weekend attending the summer TNNA Trade show. Technology (and maturity) have helped to moderate what I bring, but there is always a small degree of anxiety around the question of what if I need it?! Today's post will focus on how I prepare my notebooks for travel. It's been asked why I don't use this system year-round, I just don't like it for doing intense long-term work. How I prepare my travel notebook I have a separate notebook that is smaller and lighter than my standard notebook. It is pure chance that my notebooks look very similar this go … [Read more...] about notebooks for travel
two book ideas for easy crafting
I love challenging myself with complicated designs, though I also take great joy in the beauty found within simple patterns. After a long day I don't always want to knit another garter stitch washcloth, it's nice to have easy to work patterns on hand. The two books in today's post fit this basic criteria. Drop-Dead Easy Knits by Gale Zucker, Mary Lou Egan, Kirsten Kapur With this title on your shelf you'll never be without a knit, from a quick and cozy project when you need something warm to a lightweight item keeping you occupied at the beach after you've finished your latest guilty read. With classic designs, Drop Dead Easy Knits will become a good knitting friend that you pull off the shelf again and again. The designs are grouped by topic, not the expected type of item, but rather the knitting environment. You'll find items to work confidently while distracted at knit … [Read more...] about two book ideas for easy crafting