KeepingKnitTogether

It’s been one of those days. In fact, it’s been one of ‘those days’ for the past couple of weeks.

What even are ‘those days’???

For me, ‘those days’ are the days where my brain isn’t engaged- which can be a problem seeing as I kind of need my brain. ‘Those days’ vary from not being 100% involved to feeling like someone’s stuffed a load of cotton wool in my head or wanting to bang my head against a brick wall. REPEATEDLY.

The former variety I can live with, they generally only last a day or so and can be solved through more sleep and less caffeine (and/or wine….) It’s the other type that bother me. As if I need something else to think about. My brain’s already feeling full enough without having to think about the fact that it’s full in the first place!

I feel like I can’t do ANYTHING. Because I’ve got TOO much to do. Well, that’s silly isn’t it?

NO.

I think sometimes it all just gets too much, too much to process, too much to think about and too much to do. ALL THE TIME.

I think more and more of us feel this way and I think it’s because of the lives we live in 2015. Which is fine, don’t get me wrong. I love being 23 in 2015. It’s great. Constant communication, sharing, connection……it’s all great. Most of the time. But not always, and I think we just get overwhelmed, and who can blame us eh? I don’t think another generation has had to multi-task like we have to, so what can we do? What am I doing? (and by that I am mean going to do……)

1. Stop putting stuff off (only myself to blame on that one, but we all do it right?)

2. Stop. Actually just stop. Read a book, go for a walk, actually try and do some meditation that I’ve been promising myself I would do.

3. Stop promising myself I’m going to do things like meditating and doing yoga EVERY DAY. I mean, how obtainable is that unless you’re a yogi? Which I’m not. Like the time I vowed to follow the 30 day Yoga Challenge (for THIRTY days) and announced it to the world. Well, I didn’t do it did I? and now I’m annoyed with myself. Damn.

And then I think if I can do just those 3 things, I’ll have more time. Or at least feel like I have more time and then won’t be so overwhelmed and cotton wool-heady. I mean, I haven’t knitted in weeks, WEEKS!! and I bought new yarn and a new book and everything.

SO. Stop procrastinating.

Once I’ve done that, I’ll let you know if I feel any better and if it helps at all in keeping knit together……

Last week I shared a photo of a current scarf in progress, which I love so much, I just have to share it!

.

I am SO enjoying making this scarf and am still amazed at how beautiful it looks- it's definitely going to be a 'LOOK AT WHAT I MADE BY MY VERY OWN SELF, ISNT IT AMAZING??' kind of scarf, so here is where you can find the pattern: 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/silky-haze-scarf

I would say that this is definitely suitable for an advanced beginner (I mean, I still can't knit in the round!) or anyone wanting to learn some new moves (i.e. Yarn Over-YO).

The other thing I love about this pattern, is that because it's very lacy, it's great at hiding mistakes- I've made so many but you would never even tell (so keep it between us, yeah?)

Anyway, give it a go- it's a constant pleasure to keep coming back to :)

Happy Knitting!

x

So today, whilst playing on the app store, my eyes were opened to the wealth of knitting apps available….

I know I mentioned StitchMinder earlier which sounded really good (as I didn’t even know such apps existed), but I’ve downloaded Knit which does the same thing and I think looks prettier! Now, I haven’t used it yet but I surely intend to, I just have to get this scarf out the way first before I take on a new project….(you know the feeling!)

Knit app aside, I discovered Craftsy. I’d sort of come across it online before but didn’t really know what it was about and thought I have Ravelry so what’s the need?

How wrong I was! Craftsy has a WEALTH of tutorials for all the crafts you could ever think of! As if I needed any encouragement to start paper crafting, sewing, baking, stamping…..the list goes on! 

However, I resisted temptation and only browsed the knitting videos (I know  right!) There’s loads. Free and to purchase, but they cover everything from knitting basics, to basket weave, to blocking, to fitting your knits and everything in between. I love it!

So I would definitely recommend getting on it, get on the website and/or download the app- Craftsy.com or Craftsy!

P.S. Craftsy also has a pattern app called Knitting which is just like browsing patterns on Ravelry but from the comfort of your phone! Until Ravelry has something similar for free, I’ll be making the most of it!

Happy Knitting!!