On Building a Creative Practice
Getting lost in my knitting, Upcoming pattern - Brin Cowl, CraftDoodling Designs news, and more.
I’ll be traveling next week, and I hope to get some knitting done during that time. So this past week, most of my time has gone into writing up draft instructions and working out calculations for new ideas. I’ve done very little actual knitting, but I’m ready to dive back in earnestly next week.
It’s funny that I haven’t packed or made other important travel related decisions yet, but my main priority has been to make sure I have something to knit while I’m on the move. (How much I actually get done is another matter. We’ll see.)
I still remember very clearly the day I decided to take up knitting, some eighteen years ago. That evening I got back from work, walked down to a craft store nearby and purchased a pair of knitting needles and some dark green yarn. Little did I suspect that what I started that day had the potential to become a lifelong pursuit.
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“Really, all you need to become a good knitter are wool, needles, hands, and slightly below-average intelligence. Of course superior intelligence, such as yours and mine, is an advantage.”
—Elizabeth Zimmermann
Creative pursuits often begin humbly, nudged by some variation of the phrase: “All you need is…” In the art world, you’ll often hear: “All you need to make art is a surface and a mark-making tool.”
And it’s true. Often, that really is enough!
There’s also value in starting small—because if we truly grasped the enormous potential of a creative practice at the very beginning, many of us might never start. I know I would have been paralyzed. Serendipity seems like the best route when you're just getting started.
A creative practice may begin simply, but it has a way of expanding into other parts of life. We begin acquiring skills, gaining knowledge, and eventually, we develop tastes, cultivate habits, and even adjust our lifestyles to make more space for creativity.
These different threads of skills, habits, inspirations interact and come alive in the projects we create. In other words, as clichéd as it may sound, we express our own selves through our creativity.
A creative practice can even change the way we consume. When I look at ready-to-wear clothing now, I find myself noticing the details, the finishing. I have friends who can’t resist adding a touch of embroidery, lace, or even an iron-on sticker to make their garments their own.
It changes how we move through the world. We begin to slow down, notice things, textures, colors, ideas that we might weave into our own work. Our brains become magnets for inspiration.
Eventually, there comes a point when no part of life is untouched. Every corner is influenced, directly or indirectly, by the creative work we do.
When nurtured early, a creative practice can become a source of deep comfort in adulthood. It’s available and ready for you when you need it.
Knitting and writing a newsletter about it sometimes seem like trivial things when life feels difficult or overwhelming. But especially in those times, I am grateful for knitting being a part of my life.
It gives me the strength to focus on things I can still control.
It gives me something to get lost into.
It helps me stay grounded and reminds me that beauty and meaning often come from small, steady efforts.
I hope your own creative work brings you comfort this week. ♥️
How long ago did you start knitting? How is it filling your cup today? I’d love to hear all about it.♥️
To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ 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! 🥰
CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES
1. Pattern testing for my next design, Brin Cowl is complete. I am planning to release it a little later this month. If you are looking for a beginner friendly Brioche pattern, please keep an eye out for this one. ♥️
My testers had knit up Shuffle Scarf in a variety of color ways. Looking at those, I was tempted to start another sample too. I am using my handspun for the first time in a project. I am loving it already. ♥️
Shuffle Scarf using handspun I will keep you posted on my new designs as I start working on them.
To anyone who is local, a few of my classes and Shuffle Scarf KAL announcements are up on Fillory Yarn Website. Please check them out if you are interested.
I will take a break from the newsletter next week. I am leaving a link to my archive of older blogposts/newsletters here, if anyone wants to catch up. ♥️
OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT LIKE
READING UPDATES
Finished Reading 📖
The Mitford Murders - Jessica Fellowes
Ultralearning - Scott H. Young
Currently Reading 📖
Nobody’s fool - Harlan Coben
Until next time,
Kavitha. ♡
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I started in high school when my friend’s godmother, who was a champion knitter in Sweden, taught us. I go through waxing and waning periods but always love to take classes at my LYS wherever I have lived!
I started knitting when I was 3. Currently knitting Fort Grey socks by Fiona Alice (amongst many other unfinished projects!!).