Making Little Goldfish đ
Why I Knit and Keep Designing, Pattern testing call â Limen Shawl, CraftDoodling Designs updates, etc.
A warm welcome to those of you whoâve recently subscribed to my newsletter. I hope you enjoy this weekly dose of knitting. Every now and then, I like to share an older post of mine as a way of reintroducing myself.
If youâve been here a while, thank you. Thank you for your time, your attention, your kindness, and your support, both for this newsletter and for my design work. It means a lot to me.
This week, I wrapped up a design thatâs now ready to be sent off to a publication. We wonât talk about it again until it's time for the big reveal, except this one last sneak peek.
It feels good to bring an idea to completion, and my mind is already drifting to whatâs next. The only problem is that there always seem to be too many possibilities. :)
On June 16 , Martyn of Knit365 reminded us that we often focus on âwhat nextâ in our knitting and gently nudged us to pause and ask, âwhy do we knit?â
Why do I knit, indeed?
Reason # 1
Sometimes I knit simply for the feel of yarn in my hands. After spending so much time on devices and staring at pixels, I start to feel disconnected from my surroundings. In those moments, I reach for my knitting because itâs tangible and even responsive! A piece of string transforms into something beautiful as my hands and needles move. I think that is wonderful in itself.
Reason # 2
Lately, Iâve also been teaching myself not to wait until everything else is done to pick up my knitting. I used to think I needed to feel calm and completely in control before I could earn the right to knit. Now I remind myself itâs the other way around: I reach for my knitting because I need the calm it provides at that moment.
If you like my newsletter, please consider sharing it with a friend. â„ïž
Reason # 3
Of course, I knit to make garments I can wear and enjoy. Iâm proud to have learned a skill that I can draw on to create something I want, whenever I want.
Reason # 4
If youâve read Gabriel GarcĂa MĂĄrquezâs One Hundred Years of Solitude, you may remember Colonel Aureliano BuendĂa, who makes little goldfish out of gold and sells them for gold coins, only to melt them down and make more goldfish.
That image has stayed with me, and I find myself relating to it through my own design work. I knit and design to get paid so I can turn around and make more designs - some little goldfish of my own. And I am ever so grateful to be able to do more of what I love.
Reason # 5
Ultimately, knitting is also my hobby. I believe everyone deserves a hobby. Especially a making practice like knitting, crochet, sewing, or weaving that fosters connection, community, resourcefulness, and well-being.
Your turn.Did any of this resonate with your own knitting or making practice? What other hobbies do you pursue? Iâd love to hear about them all.â„ïž
To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. â„ïž However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thanks! đ„°
CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES
I am currently looking for testers for my design Limen shawl, which was originally published in Radicle Threads, Vol. 4 Air Issue. You can find the full details of the testing call, how to apply etc here in my Ravelry Group.
A reel I had shared about my latest design, Shuffle Scarf last week.
The introductory offer for Shuffle Scarf is valid through June 30 at midnight PT.
âšRavelry Link
âšPayhip Link
I am working on a worsted weight sock sample for a new class.
WW Short Row heel Sock A few of my classes & KAL for Shuffle Scarf for the month of July are up on Fillory Yarn Website. Please check them out if you are interested.
I managed to worked on my daughterâs crochet top a bit more this week.
OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT LIKE
READING UPDATES
Currently Reading đ
The Mitford Murders - Jessica Fellowes
Ultralearning - Scott H. Young
Until next time,
Kavitha. âĄ
Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:
Click the â€ïž at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.
Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!
Introduce this newsletter to a friend!
Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.
I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!
Even as a retired person it is difficult to pick up my knitting, quilting or book until chores are finished. Guilt! I just want to play and really donât care if the dust accumulates.
Currently reading The Afterlife Project, it is excellent. Knitting a summer sweater and hand piecing a 2 1/2 star quilt.
"Sometimes I knit simply for the feel of yarn in my hands. After spending so much time on devices and staring at pixels, I start to feel disconnected from my surroundings." Yes! While I'm not a knitter, reaching for something tactile or analog is grounding. Lately for me it's been returning to writing with my hand.