Okay Then

Okay, I see that no one has anything to say about my thoughts on the meaning of life. So back to knitting content.

But first, a photo of birthday flowers:

This next one is a new sock design I am calling Foot Fetish. Since there are so many excellent sock patterns out there for free, I am probably not going to publish this one for my pattern line, but will maybe just write it up and give it away for free like everyone else.

And this one is made from Regia's new Designer Line by Kaffe Fassett. I bought the entire collection here.
I love Kaffe Fassett's colors and was so excited to see his sock yarn collection and such a great price, too. So of course I ordered the entire collection. No, I won't be publishing photos of all the new yarns I've acquired during my so-called 3 month yarn fast. I have lost 14 pounds, so that proves I am able to show restraint in some areas of my life.

I have been wasting far too much time on Ravelry. It is really fun and very easy to use. If you are already in there, my name is Yarnartist. Give me a holler!

Knitting and the Meaning of Life

Zen Koan: Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water.
Knitting Koan: Before enlightenment; knit, rip, knit, rip. After enlightenment; knit, rip, knit, rip.


In life, as in knitting, enthusiasm, patience and persistence lead to mastery.

Although the subtitle of my blog is "musings on fiber, knitting and the meaning of life", I haven't included much about the last.
This got me thinking, on the way to LACMA the other day, "What is the meaning of life?"

Like "Beauty", the "Meaning of Life" is completely subjective. Personal values and beliefs come into play and although religions try to tell us the meaning of life, NO ONE really knows for sure. Minds much greater than my own have spent lifetimes contemplating the answer to The Question, and countless volumes have been written trying to persuade others to what is still a personal choice.

My own answer goes something like this:

The meaning of life is to create beauty.

I believe that each individual chooses his/her own meaning and that is mine.

Beyond that, I believe there is also a purpose for "Life". Not individual life, but Life itself, from the tiniest elemental energy to the universe and beyond, I believe that all of creation is expanding, becoming aware of itself, and creating.

And so each individual adds to the expansion. We, as creatures with free will, choose to create beauty or darkness, order or chaos, love or evil. No matter what we choose, we add indelibly to all that is.

What do you think?

One of my 3rd grade Sunday School students once said that when she wondered whether God exists, she wondered who else could have come up with kitty faces.

Another Heartbeat Sweater

It took a bit longer than a heartbeat to knit. I started it on Saturday and finished last night (Tuesday) I just love this sweater! Here you can see how I put a strap across the back to keep it from falling off the shoulders.

I realize that it would be easy to make the neckline higher in the back but I just love how it looks with the strap.

Pattern: Heartbeat Sweater, Jill Vosburg, Just One More Row
Yarn: Berroco Love It Colors 12 balls color 3293, 58% cotton, 38% acrylic, 4% polyester
Needles: US8
Size: XL

Not for me. I wonder who will end up wearing this beauty and if they will love it as much as I do?

Blood of Flowers

For those of you who enjoy listening to audio books while knitting, I would like to share a wonderful one I just finished - Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani
It is a story of a woman who designs and makes rugs in 17th century Iran. Aside from the thrilling descriptions of the rug making craft - knot tying, wool dying, color selection, design theory (non of it dry and frankly, I would have liked a lot more information) it is a fascinating glimpse into the life of women at that time and place in history, plus romantic parables and some good sex scenes! And it is narrated by a woman with a most charming Iranian accent. I also enjoyed the interview with the author at the end of the book. If you haven't already, give it a listen!

I wish I had a lot more blog readers so I could turn a lot more people on to this book!

Eden is at the Anime Expo in Long Beach today so I am not at the museum. Which is just as well since I am working on a wig assignment and I don't think wig-making is portable. The hair would probably blow away in the breeze. Knitting in public - cool. Ventilating in public - not so much.