09/28/12 FO FRIDAY and A Bit of PDBKNC Philosophy

I was going to start this update by writing out my frustrations about my current issues here at home, but have decided to NOT go into these details, simply because I just want to be HAPPY TODAY, and not let my worries worry you too...So, I will just stick to the FO FRIDAY update for those of you interested in only that [it comes first], and should you decide to finish this post, I hope you stick around long enough to leave me a comment, offer a solution, [if you have one], on how I may improve my blog or share any thoughts with me you may want to regarding this post...

I love hearing your comments, I find them encouraging and stimulating, and I look forward to them, every day. It is my hope, given enough time, that this little blog will increase in readership, and I want you to know now that I am a very patient woman, I consider myself very open to hearing anyone's ideas for how I can make YOUR experience here better for YOU...so please do drop me a line or two, even if its just to say hi, and let me know that I'm not just talking out of my butt here and to help me know someone is interested in what I have to say...

I was hoping to have Yung's beret completed by today, but alas, it is not to be, I finished the body of the beret...up to row 45, and now must transfer the work onto my DPNS, only I still don't have them in the US size 3, just yet...they are on back order and I am still awaiting their arrival. Hopefully, by next Sunday, I will be done, if not, be closer to being done; with Yung's beret...

While there may have only been a little progress made with the beret, I did get further along with the Spa Cloths. # 4 is now complete [ABOVE]...[man do I need photo editing practice or what]?...I couldn't get a better shot, I tried for a while...I apologize...

This spa cloth is done in, either seed or moss stitch, [the pattern was unclear which]...my first attempt at it...AND it is a very dark maroon yarn with flecks of other colors, [which I tried to get to show in the photo], but I ended up frogging it yesterday afternoon after I took my WIP WEDNESDAY shot of the cast on, because I quickly determined it just wasn't going to come out right at all...

The yarn is, of course, hard enough to work with because it IS dark, and as it was taking me about 15 seconds or so to get my hook under each of the alternating front and back sc loops, I decided to simply start over, being mindful to crochet with a looser hold than I am accustomed to, so that I could pleasantly discover it to no longer be a problem...On the second attempt, I was very pleased with the outcome, and was able to finish it off easily, as I listened to my newest discovery...

If you'd like to link up for WIP WEDNESDAY or FO FRIDAY click here and it will take you to Tami's Ami's so you can do so.... So back to my latest discovery...

Knitting Podcasts, YES, I've heard OF them, YES, I have, in fact, heard a few, NO, I don't have an MP3 player to enjoy them properly....I'm totally serious here...I don't own any Apple product more than ITunes..[I wish I did]...No IMac, no IPhone, no IPod, no I-anything, which probably makes me a very rare individual indeed...

I get by with my LG Android phone, [very basic], and my computer [which I use to listen to Internet Radio and free Podcasts as I knit and crochet]...

And as you all know, I HAVE been living under a ROCK.

In 2005, [when my MIL passed away], I literally crawled under a ROCK...and stayed there...until last year...as my marriage ended...So YES, my chronic disabilities kept me from my passions, [as well as my personal life], but this time, this also included not just one, but many, major losses in my life. The domino effect of when each occurred, made the entire ordeal spiral so totally out of control, that its a wonder I am still here, rather than just ending up severely depressed, for more than my any of my past depressed states lengths of time...

I have, however, come through this mid-life crisis, [at least, my idea of what it means] through nothing but my sheer will to survive, and by a return to my passions...All while boldly telling the world, just last year, that THE special place I always end up when creating, isn't to be touched by anyone..., and for me to honor it for what it is, simply by not allowing outside influences to take it from me ever again...

Hence the beginning of my blog...PDBKNCPLACE...I chose the name simply because I love the color Pink, I am usually made out to sound like a Diva, but mostly I am a Brat, and I KNIT and CROCHET...[seriously, that's how my blog got its name]...and it IS is my very special place that I come to share, with like-minded folk, all things crafty that I love...

As an advanced, beginner knitter and crocheter, as well as computer user, you would think I would be aware of more than most...But don't let that fool you AT ALL, because of THE overlong hiatus IN HELL...I REALLY lost touch, with a LOT!

Cast On is a Podcast, hosted by Brenda Dayne, that began the year I crawled under that rock [2005], and is, I have come to find; a woman after my own heart. She lives in a small home midst the wondrous Welsh countryside that she paints so eloquently with just her words [whether or not she still does, remains to be seen] and; until yesterday; has been well-known to many in the knitting community as a generous contributor to many knitty things, EXCEPT me... That is beginning to change...

After listening to her latest Podcast offering, [I'll just say the words Canada and tattoo], I immediately began listening to the rest of show, beginning with the first episode, and I must say...I really like what this woman has to say, not only because she is brave enough to GET a tattoo but because she is LIVING her life sort of like I am...

With some knitting regrets, but WITHOUT making excuses for why she loves her craft and why its important to who she is at the core.

The part I like best about her Podcasts is her ability to share her experiences in knitting and of her life...while laughing at herself for the mistakes she makes in both...Who better to laugh at you than yourself?...

And to know that her Podcast began kind of like my blog...with her wondering if anyone was listening....like I am currently wondering, [Is anyone reading?], just knowing this helps me realize that we all have to start somewhere......and I would just like to say boy am I glad I found her!!!..

[And this bit is for her], no matter anyone's politics, EVERYONE IS WORTH KNOWING....

This is sort of a motto of mine, one that I try to incorporate into my daily life...Haters [gonna hate!!!]...are brought into my daily life more than I want to admit, and I find, the best way to deal is to be a duck!!! [Water off its back]!

In one of Brenda's early Podcasts... she states that she is a Purist and only chooses to knit with natural yarns and fibers...Here's my bit of PDBKNC Philosophy on this subject...

Personally, I don't consider myself anything other than a knitter who knits for fun...one who believes the added benefits of stress relief and simple gift giving are just the icing on the cake to learning new skills that further my love of all things crafty, to lend myself and my creativity to any project I endeavor, all while enjoying the special time; that I set aside for me; to feel whole and complete...

Its as much a part of me as breathing is and, yes, is very important to me as I try to practice mindfulness, in whatever I attempt. I am usually very busy caught up in everything I do most of the time, that I simply don't take as much time as I should, to practice it..

And like many of you, it is only in this special place, that I find my balance, and from which I renew my ability to adapt to the harsher aspects of my life, the place I find every time I explore my creativity...

And for the most part, I consider myself lucky because, while it may seem easy to get to, I don't take it for granted that I will always find it, which in turn, helps me to face myself in the mirror, and for making the decisions I do on a daily basis, to choose to create or not...[and though, sometimesin knit or crochet, it may not always be possible], it is usually with as little regret as possible...

I find I use any yarn I can to complete any item I can...as long as it the type matches well to its intended purpose, I usually budget for the project, and I usually make any item with the following in mind at the outset...I won't put anything on the stix, without first asking myself the question, will this particular object be used to some degree, by the receiver, or by myself, as a result of my taking the time to knit or crochet it?

If I can answer this question positively, and be comfortable with it, and if there is no hesitation in my response, only then will I begin a project.

I start by researching its possible full costs...adjusting the approach I take with it, from a practical standpoint. From how the item will be used in the future..by whom...and whether or not my provision of it, is the best way to achieve its successful outcome....And yes I very often face self doubt as to whether a  project's success is only achievable through my choice to undertake it. I am a firm believer in handmade items...I do indeed, feel that each of us put as much of ourselves into our projects, positive and negative, as we experience each items creation...and that for me, is reason alone to feel, each item is worth its weight in its in the blood, sweat and tears of any project I do that remains my main reason for doing them.  Whether its to help someone else understand who I am at the time its being made, or for me, as a way for me to reconnect with who that particular me is at the time...

By comparison shopping and, setting up a budget for the item, [usually squirreling away money a bit here and there] I eventually make it... but not without trying to plan well for the total cost of the finished item, so if, in the interest of the item's best outcome, a higher supply cost is required; I can simply adjust the budget, and am not surprised by its bottom line...And I rarely find this practice to NOT work to my advantage in the end.

So that the final factor in my choosing whether or not I attempt a project...actually never is determined by its monetary cost...

This practice also helps take away any guilt I occasionally may feel for splurging for new tools, pricier yarn, new books, or taking a class that teaches me a technique necessary to complete the job...Online or otherwise....

If I need to pay more for any of whats needed, I prefer to work WITH the details, rather than against them.
I do my best to assume little and give myself as much clarity of knowing a projects total monetary cost long before I make any of my purchases final. This also contributes helps me put things in perspective when I may feel disillusioned when a project may turn on me.

I take pride in what I do, accepting its outcome, always, even if its a project that fails.

In so doing, I learn to appreciate that the choices rest entirely with me..giving no one, but me, reason to judge why I did or did not take the necessary steps to bring the project to its full and successful fruition...

After all...I will only get out of it...what I put into it...Is this something you also find you do?

I suppose I'm asking because I feel there is some method to my madness, and I am sharing it, so that others may commiserate with me on this...and....I'm simply curious...

I guess with me feeling philosophical today, I am asking, to try to answer many of the questions I have about the reasons why so many of us are passionate or artistic or create anything we do and what we think our motivations are for them. I also ask, to try to get you thinking, and secretly hope you will share what YOU think makes YOU tick....and why...

Am I off base when I say I think its important for all people who care about anything passionately, in any form, should share what knowledge we have come to know? I think its important to  a) continue to build upon the traditional roots of learning to create, from someone we love, lending us to the collective and b) to help us celebrate our differences; so we can pass on what we know, so we can acknowledge and appreciate just how much we are basically the same?

I believe all of us can benefit from each other, within the confines of what we knowingly share, because only we have the power to pick what we know out of our heads for the world to see...This way we acknowledge them too for their real value and not just for what they can potentially be worth to us, in terms of cost.

I know when I do share my thoughts with others, it helps me to deal with some difficult situations or people I may experience, and to walk away with a better understanding of how I can help bridge any gaps in my understanding of many people, places, and situations I have only learned as a result from another's perspective....

Does any of what I am saying make some kind of sense to you? I really would like to know...and is the reason for my asking the following questions. An exercise...to come to know more of the generous nature of the helpful and caring knit and crochet community members that you are comprised of, that I am so recently re-discovering...and to offer a tidbit into how I tick as well...

• Are you a bit of a Purist in your knitting choices? [Thanks Brenda for making me mull this one over...] 
• Do you only choose a specific kind of yarn for your projects? 
• Which factors are most pertinent to the final choices you make regarding your projects and why? Aesthetics? Fun Factor? Variety? Spontaneity? Budget?
• Which factor is most crucial to your finaly choice and why?
• And..why do or don't you allow certain factors to play a part if any, in the final decision?

I look forward to your responses, each and every one, and hope you join in the conversation...I love getting comments and responding to them, they really do brighten my day as I venture on my continued journey to know enough to know, that I don't know enough, and probably never will... but still live with the hope that I can try to enjoy the ride....

May your disposition be as sunny as your smile and the weather in your universe be just the same....and I definitely hope wherever that special place in your universe is...that you find it happy and inviting enough to continue to create all you do...and that your day/evening be filled with many joys!

Pink Diva Brat