The Challenge of (More) Lace

Monday night I met a few non-knitting grrlfriends for dinner.  I had on a white T-shirt with black pants and decided to throw the Flower Basket Shawl over my shoulders.  Restaurants are notoriously cold in the summer and a little something on the shoulders would feel just right. Even though my friends had seen the shawl before they oogled and petted it.  Lynn sat next to me and often tugged on the corner to see if it would slide unnoticed into her bag.  It was the perfect weight to keep the chill of air conditioning off my arms and I felt a little more 'dressed up' wearing it.

I've knit many a triangular shawl, however, all but FBS have been given away. The yarn for FBS was sent to me by Katy so the shawl had to be mine. Stoles have been my first choice and through the winter they were very easy to wear.  Triangular shawls are better suited to sit on the shoulders, almost draped like a collar or scarf, while stoles are good to wrap up in for warmth.   There is enough lace weight yarn in my stash to handle several future lace projects of any shape or style.  The problem lies mostly in my expectations and desires.  I want to knit them all now. I want to wear them all now.  Of course this can only cause stress if allowed to become obligatory and not a dream or wish.

The DailyOm horoscope comes through once again to calm my monkey mind.

You may feel compelled to address each of your obligations and could feel disappointed in yourself if you do not meet your expectations. But consider that your obligations are likely not equally important. You can ease your troubled mind by determining which of your duties are time-sensitive and which are less vital. You may find that you are less tense and more focused on your tasks when you concentrate on the quality of your activities rather than quantity.

Ah yes, quality not quantity…process not project.  Enjoy each stitch as a step in the journey. Learn, relax, enjoy and just be one with your work, your knitting.  Keep the joy in what you do. Oh, how could I forget?

The pace of Jóhö has slowed to a crawl
With a constant wish to knit another shawl.
Knitting desires are far beyond the pale,
Too many intentions will lead me to hell.

Comments

[marie in florida]

i've been knitting a lot of just plain garter stitch lately. seems like i've fallen off the lace line since i started work, but that's ok, i'm heading toward one finished EZ Baby Surprise, so it's all a good process.

[Dave Daniels]

That Lynn, best to keep one eye on her at all times. I have a pal Kurt that is much the same way about "posessions". lol

[Cara]

Jeez do I have monkey mind! Thanks for the perspective.

[Kathleen]

Recognized that color right away. I am going through a similar sought of thing...wanting to downsize the quantity of my stash! And knock out some quality knitting!

[hillary]

A Monkey mind! Hah! I'm so glad to hear that you've given a name to the affliction I'm suffering from. Thanks for helping me renew my focus.

[Joan Hamer]

I love your horoscope. Good words to apply to me since I can't knit for long periods right now. I'm knitting a lace scarf in which the stitch count changes so I have to be careful. So it IS quality and not quantity although I suffer from Monkey Mind too! Great phrase.

[peg]

FBS is my favourite shawl to knit and I plan to have a third one on the needles soon. Why do they have the air so cold in restaurants, shops, etc.? It is the perfect excuse for wearing FBS, so it cannot be all bad. Quality vs quanity - always a dilemma!

[Kelly]

That is a beautiful lace shawl! I have the same problem. I have so many projects I want to do I can't seem to choose. I want to knit them all right now! So instead I knit socks.

[Norma]

Haha, love your poem. I'm especially impressed when a non-knitter notices "the goods." I get upset when the only ones they notice are the disgusting acrylic novelty scarves. Ugh.

[susan]

OK, I got "sky" again. Is someone trying to tell me something.

[Birdsong]

Lovely thoughts to help us all calm this overdesirous side of knitting. Thanks to the reminder to savor the process.

[Martha]

Your poem just cracked me up. I know how you feel...

[Lucia]

The indigo of that shawl is just gorgeous. I don't blame you for wanting half a dozen more of them *right now*. Let's hear it for a timely horoscope.

[Beth S.]

You have really given away all your triangular shawls? Now THAT is love of the process. Wow.

I'm glad you kept this one. :-)

[Vera]

I'll have to check out The Daily OM.

[Kathy in San Jose]

Thanks for the Daily Om, because that's it, exactly. I've just been examining my stash (gulp), and have enough laceweight for 6 shawls. Nevermind that I just figured out how to read a chart and already have 2 other shawls/stoles in progress. I want to start something new!

You're inspiring!

[lisa Co. Springs]

I think we all get monkey mind---always thinking of the next project, and the next, and the next.....

I'd like to attempt a lace shawl or stole, but somebody has me doin' socks right now :) I'll keep my eyes open for the "right" one.

[Rebekah]

Lovely shawl, and I agree they are perfect for restaurants. I'm always freezing whenever we go out to eat.

It's so hard for me to choose which lace to do, but one day I plan to knit every pattern in my stash.

[ann]

I am on the hunt for my next lace project - I think I am addicted.

[Kristi aka Fiber Fool]

Great observations and well done poem!

[Carole]

I often feel the same way - I want loads of shawls but I get frustrated that they take time to knit. I have to remember to enjoy what I'm doing. Oh, and today my word is darkness. What's up with that? What am I? The New Cara? ;-)

[KarenK]

Ah, yes, we could start a club, The Ladies of the Drafty Table. One can never have too many shawls/stoles! Too much yarn, yes. (sigh)

[Stephanie]

I've been dreaming of shawls and stoles, but I just can't decide which one I want to knit!

[Suzette Cannon- The Wool Cabin]

I have to catch you while you are in the mood.. I would love a Flower Basket Shawl to display in the store. I have Zephyr coming next week. How about knitting one for the store? It will be yours to keep when I finish displaying it. Think about it....

[witchypoo]

I *love* lace shawls. I just finished Icarus.

[Laura]

Good poem for the AL Margene - the shawl is looking beautiful, no matter if it's coming along slowly and you yearn to knit something else. Seeing your FBS makes me look forward to the day that I'm ready for a real shawl project - it will be so hard to choose one and choose the yarn.

[marti]

what a great reminder that getting everything done isn't always the best way to go. thank you!

[Lee Ann]

I've also heard that scrabbling state of mind referred to as "feeling squirrely." Think the Ice Age squirrel--describes me to a T lately :-) (although I'm not powerful enough to have caused the earth to split. I can't even get return phone calls, much less cause natural disasters ;-))

[Jennie]

I am totally with you. I want lots of shawls and want them now, now, NOW. I just need to knit faster!

Yes, yes, enjoy the process (faster)

Joho looks gorgeous. That yarn! Lovely.

[Judy]

With yours being the third poem I've seen written, I realize that I'd better catch up with the AL. Good one!

[julia fc]

You have non-knitting friends?
Why?

[Chris]

It's a gorgeous shawl - maybe the too-cold air conditioning is a blessing. :)