Been feeling nesty recently friends. I am getting that 'must make home' feeling more and more. I want to hang curtains and paint walls, have fresh bread baking in the morning and my own photos on the fridge. Not having your own place has its upside (just call the landlord when things break) but it means that I am stuck with grey walls and black furniture. Chic, yes, but just not me.
I want flowers on my cushions and crystals hanging in the window, making rainbows everywhere. I want my own teapot and a fine collection of mismatching, highly original mugs in all shapes and sizes. I want my walls lined with books and soft Ikea floor lamps in the corners. I would have a knitted or crochet blanket on the back of every couch or chair for convenient snuggling. Persian carpets underfoot for optimal barefooted conditions.
During my second year of college I lived in a flat with a red couch and black and white checker board cushions in the living room. My flatmates room was painted orange with a lime green floor lamp. My room was painted acid green, with hot pink and orange bedclothes and a turquiose and gold rug. Multi-coloured curtains tied the whole mess together. Yes, it sounds like a bad acid trip, but I loved it. I felt warm and snug no matter what the weather was like outside. I felt bright. Well, it was bright.
More than anything I want COLOUR! Lots of colour, clashing and vibrant. Even my clothes feel a bit drab and safe. I want to look like 'a walking Christmas tree' as my Ma would say. I'm off to knit more rainbow i-cords to wrap round my wrists and head. What fun!
Saturday 29 August 2009
Wednesday 19 August 2009
Why my wrists are aching...
(and no, that is not a sly reference to a little 'solo' fun!)
The last few months have been filled with knitting. Knitting socks, shawls, scarves, cowls, more socks, jumpers (one in particular with owls on it...I'm in love!) and, as always accompanies my knitting, watching films. It has been good. Probably not great for my joints or posture but it has been an interesting experience, knitting for money, knitting on order. I did have the joy of teaching the lovely Miss A to knit while she came to visit me in Brisbane, and was so profoundly proud of her progress. She is currently finishing off a stripy hat, knit in the round, only her *second* project since learning how...taken to it like a duck to water.
Knitting on someone elses terms has been really different for me. I have learned not to become too invested in pieces that I will have to give away. Knitting to a schedule is still pretty interesting for me. I am working on two pairs of socks at the moment that I had orginally said would have been finished before now, but I'm still working away on them and don't think they'll be in the post before next Monday. I rely on people's good nature in these situations and really wonder about my ability to accurately calculate how much time a project will take me. I think it takes more honest attention on my part to know long my projects take. Thank God for Rav's dating system for projects, it really helps, it doesn't lie!
Knowing how much to charge is also a challenge. If you really considered how much time and energy you invest in a piece they would be worth a lot more, but it is an unrealistic price for people to pay. You hope that they are true appreciators of the Art (yes, I used a capital 'A' on purpose) of knitting. It's a balancing act, something you are not necessarily taught in school, about what YOU and your abilities are worth. What are you worth? Your time, effort and concentration?
On the plus side though, it has thrown into sharp focus my abilities as a knitter and crocheter, and I'm happy to find myself quite suprised by my ability at times. You think hard about what you feel you could do to an adequate standard to actually charge people for...or even just let them see. You realise what corners you are happy to cut in your own knitting...and I find myself thinking 'Maybe I deserve something finished properly and just for me!'. After all this commissioned knitting is over, I think it'll be time for a little knitting TLC, just for me.
The last few months have been filled with knitting. Knitting socks, shawls, scarves, cowls, more socks, jumpers (one in particular with owls on it...I'm in love!) and, as always accompanies my knitting, watching films. It has been good. Probably not great for my joints or posture but it has been an interesting experience, knitting for money, knitting on order. I did have the joy of teaching the lovely Miss A to knit while she came to visit me in Brisbane, and was so profoundly proud of her progress. She is currently finishing off a stripy hat, knit in the round, only her *second* project since learning how...taken to it like a duck to water.
Knitting on someone elses terms has been really different for me. I have learned not to become too invested in pieces that I will have to give away. Knitting to a schedule is still pretty interesting for me. I am working on two pairs of socks at the moment that I had orginally said would have been finished before now, but I'm still working away on them and don't think they'll be in the post before next Monday. I rely on people's good nature in these situations and really wonder about my ability to accurately calculate how much time a project will take me. I think it takes more honest attention on my part to know long my projects take. Thank God for Rav's dating system for projects, it really helps, it doesn't lie!
Knowing how much to charge is also a challenge. If you really considered how much time and energy you invest in a piece they would be worth a lot more, but it is an unrealistic price for people to pay. You hope that they are true appreciators of the Art (yes, I used a capital 'A' on purpose) of knitting. It's a balancing act, something you are not necessarily taught in school, about what YOU and your abilities are worth. What are you worth? Your time, effort and concentration?
On the plus side though, it has thrown into sharp focus my abilities as a knitter and crocheter, and I'm happy to find myself quite suprised by my ability at times. You think hard about what you feel you could do to an adequate standard to actually charge people for...or even just let them see. You realise what corners you are happy to cut in your own knitting...and I find myself thinking 'Maybe I deserve something finished properly and just for me!'. After all this commissioned knitting is over, I think it'll be time for a little knitting TLC, just for me.
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