Mindful Making is a trend of crafting with intention. It’s not just the race to finish a project but enjoy the feel of knitting needles, yarn and every stitch. The focus on the moment is equivalent to the practice of mindfulness that promotes health and wellness.
A friend of ours recently attended a fiber makers retreat that was zoomed around the world, and one of the most discussed subjects was the organization of needles, hooks and tools for yarn crafters. The subject of organized storage is an open-secret practice of mindful makers. An organized crafting space means an organized mind and lots of creative freedom. Turning down chaos much before the start of crafting allows a positive experience. Lots of great ideas can be found online, but one of the easiest ways to handle this challenge is to buy knitting needles that come already organized.
The Mindful Collection for Mindful Makers
Look at the example from the Mindful Collection to see what we mean. The collection is designed for mindful makers, looking after every aspect of knitting – needles, accessories, sets and more.
Stainless Steel Knitting Needles - The collection makes use of stainless steel for the knitting needles and promise zero carbon emissions. The precise tips are ideal for lace patterns and all kinds of projects.
Inspiring Word- The Mantra for Mindfulness - Every knitting needle body carries an inspiring word to allow makers to focus on the positive attributes. From Hope to Balance, Dream to Serene every word is a mantra that when repeated, creates a mindset of mindfulness. Not just the needles, even the sets are given names- Gratitude to Serenity, Kindness to Generosity.
Well-Designed Sets – The different knitting needle sets provide easy storage for the needle tips along with cables and included accessories. The zippered half-moon and folding compact cases are in soothing teal shades with mindful mandala images.
Made for Mindful Knitters - People knit for a variety of reasons, but one of the most beneficial is for the relief of anxiety, a pressing problem. Working with fine quality yarns is a soothing experience, in and of itself. When combined with handling smooth needles, the “harmony” of movement and tactility relaxes and calms the maker. Good organization of tools and materials keeps the maker focused on the work without distraction. The Mindful knitting needle sets not only make sense of organization but also enhance the experience with specially designed cases, soothing teal shades and mindful imagery.
Versatile Combinations - Knitters enjoy knitting with a variety of yarns and yarn weights. Many like to change needle types, depending on what they are creating. Those who love to knit lace, often seek out needles with a more pronounced tip. Whether one prefers knitting with the straight version or the interchangeable version, the thin pointed tip slips smoothly under the thin lace weight yarns with no chance of splitting the yarn.
Knit and crochet fans quickly learn what works for them and what doesn’t. It makes sense to acquaint yourself with the different types of needles and materials that are currently available. Look at the KnitPro collection and learn what is available and what works best for you, and with your favorite yarns.
Knitting and Journaling
Here's another thing to consider: Many fiber artists find it useful to keep a record of their work. With that in mind, several journals have been published and are available online. Simply google “knitting journals” and stand back because there are so many available.
One of the newest—almost on the market—is “Knitting Meditation—A 40-Day Journal " by Mary Ann Gebhardt, an advocate of meditative knitting. Her experience as a yoga teacher, an experienced knitter, crochet artist, and personal health advocate has contributed to her belief in the healing powers of handwork.
While her journal will be on the market soon, there are also other journals you owe it to yourself to check out. These records are a great way to keep track of the yarns already in your stash, as well as the type and number of needles/hooks you may already own and/or need in the future. It’s a smart way to register work underway and to note where you are in a project – all in one convenient place.
Join the Mindful Makers
There are so many positive things going on in the maker’s world these days. The expansion of types of handwork available is exciting, but one of the most rewarding is the growth of the community. We are not alone. Many of us work remotely, and lots of us have multiple commitments that take us in all directions. One constant that sustains us is our community of makers. Coming together, sharing our resources, ideas and abilities is life-enhancing. Please be sure to come back and follow us on any of our social outlets to join our community!
