"The Knitting Girl" Adolphe-William Bouguereau (1825 - 1905)

Any woman who sews or knits, or weaves, blends colors in a tapestry or creates a patchwork quilt, knows by the feel that a single thread is weak but the weaving, the blending, the interwining with many others makes it strong.

Any woman alone without friends to sustain her, to nurture and support, to hold with loving arms, like a single thread, is weak. But the weaving, the loving, the nurturing of others, the networks of friendship makes her strong.

Barbara, 1994 The Kinship of Women (Maryjane's ideabook*cookbook*lifebook - MaryJane Butters)

We are all connected by virtue of our humanity. When surrounded by joy we can feel joy, when surrounded by despair we can feel despair. Let us be our "brothers keeper", spread our own measure of joy to those around us!

P.S. "Confetti Scarf" is on the way to Dishy! I will be making more scarves soon as it is a form of meditation for me...I already have one for every day of the week...email me if you would like one and we'll see what we can do!

Work in Progress

Organic Cotton Washcloth knitted in a basket weave pattern. I had to concentrate and count! Washcloths are particularly good things to make when attempting new patterns as they are small and you will not pull your hair out when you must unravel the knitting due to gaping holes or such. The organic cotton yarn feels like a dream and these make particularly good face cloths as the cloths gently exfoliate your skin! I am pleased with this particular one as it turned out to be relatively square and does not resemble its deformed partners.

I did my insomnia thing this morning around 4 a.m. which is too early to get up but too late to get any more restful sleep. Rather than turn the television on and watch something totally inappropriate I decided I would finish the "confetti" scarf. When using this incredibly fun yarn and using a simple stitch, the whole activity becomes more like a meditation. The clicking of the needles, the movement of the yarn from one side to the other. I read something about knitting prayer shawls that suggested you say a prayer before you knit something for the "recipient". I do not sell many scarves mainly because a little portion of my heart goes into each one. A friend commissioned me to make scarves as Christmas gifts one year and determining the cost was very difficult. The work is labor intensive, the cost of materials is high when not purchased from a wholesaler and last of all, how does one price the little part of your spirit that goes into each item one crafts? So Dishy, I promised you a scarf, what do you think of the "confetti" scarf?" It is fun and youthful. Or would you prefer something thicker and more organic? This scarf needs a home, so leave a comment and I will allow my grandchildren to choose a name out of a hat! Tonight I will begin with the first of 50 chemotherapy caps...Needles for Noodles, as Hayden calls it, she is so clever with words! Originally I thought I would knit 50 of the same kind of cap but in different colors and textures. However, I found the cutest hat pattern, courtesy of Soulemama. I think she would be delighted to know her pattern will grace the head of someone that will deeply appreciate wearing such a cute cap. I also have a circular loom which makes a nice thick hat and may use it as well. I am excited and delighted with the Needles for Noodles project. Feel free to join us in this fun effort! Some people knit, some crochet and I have seen a vast array of sewn turbans, scarves and other head gear. Whatever your talent, let's share our "wealth" and pay it forward.