Monday, October 28, 2013

Yarn Therapy

Playing with yarn can be like therapy.  It can calm my mind and nerves, switch my mind
to a better direction, and just make me feel good.  It's often what I think about when I'm in a stressful situation or pushing my boundaries (like when I rappelled into those canyons a couple weeks ago).  
Knitting, crocheting and playing with yarn is a cozy, happy, feel-good place for me.

Yarn therapy is exactly what I've needed lately with some of the stress of my life and the intense activities of our vacation.  I had the perfect yarn for that sort of thing...a skein of Aslan Trends Lecco.
It's fun, funky and made with one of my favorite fibers, cotton.  I used it to create the perfect yarn
therapy type of project too.  I made a no rules, no pattern, fat needles, just knitting project.
Here it is...my fun and fringy cowl...


I used size 13 needles and cast on 22 stitches.  Why 22?  Because it seemed like the perfect width
and it's the age of my daughter (I like picking numbers that mean something).  Then, I enjoyed 
every simple knit stitch and not a single purl.  I knitted until I was getting close to the end.
Then, I roughly measured from the end what I thought I'd need for fringe.  I knitted close to that and bound off.  I gave it one twist to create a mobious, stitched it together and added some fringe.


It was quick and fun and I love the result.  It's a little artsy, I think.


I love the look of the yarn and the results but I'm not sure I'll buy this yarn again.
The unspun parts of the yarn tend to get fuzzy very easily.  So, I'm not quite sure how
well it will hold up with wear.  But, I'll enjoy it as long as I can!

9 comments:

Art and Sand said...

B E A U T I F U L !!!

I love how you choose how many stitches to cast on. I always go with an uneven number and I am not sure why.

Several bloggers have been talking about yarn therapy lately. I think I need to make a run to the yarn shop soon.

Quinn said...

Certainly looks like a boutique piece! Beautiful creation!
I know what you mean about yarn therapy, although I've been on a bit of a knitting hiatus lately. Just a matter of time til I catch that wave again :)

Delighted Hands said...

Excellent results! I love the way the yarn made the project look much more complicated than the knitting actually was! I totally agree with the knitting affect on my mood! It is certainly an essential activity for my well being, too.

Anonymous said...

That is so cute!! I love the fringe you added as well and the color is my favorite. Since I've been learning how to spin I've gained a new appreciation for the natural shades.... who knew sheep came in so many different colors, lol! I haven't worked with thick and thin art yarn, yet. I'm still working on figuring out how to knit with traditional yarn, lol! I'm getting there slowly but surely, yep that' me Ms. Tortoise :D
Hugs my dear friend and enjoy the week

simply bev said...

This is beautiful! And you were able to find a bit of peace & quiet - that's a bonus!

Teresa Kasner said...

Gorgeous cowl you made, I also adore working with cotton. Thanks for visiting my blog, it's good to see you! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

KarenB said...

Isn't it great to create without any parameters? In the end there is such a feeling of accomplishment. I am SO stuck in a knitting rut that I'm buried and can't get out!! Maybe this cool weather will help.

Sandra said...

Super cute! Love the fringe idea - what a great way to add interest.
And I totally get the therapy parat - keeps me sane, as well!

Mereknits said...

I love this scarf, yarn soothes my soul, glad it does that for you too.
Hugs,
Meredith