Friday, July 11, 2008

What Inspires You?

This last week, I have really tried to pay attention to what inspires me to take on a project. Let's face it - some times there are projects that are just downright beautiful and we feel compelled to make them! But there are often times when it's quiet, we dream of our own projects, or how to change a pre-existing project into something that is distinctly our own.


For me, it's color and people. I can see a color and it just screams "YOU NEED ME!" Many times when this happens, I have no true plan, but I know I need it. ShibuiKnits Orchid did that for me. I love the way that the pinks quietly change colors, and the bright shot of chartreuse that comes at the end. It excites my senses and plants the "what could I do with this" seed. I love variegated yarns - the way the colors flow together, the variations of the colors, and the unknown factor. I get excited watching the colors knit up! I have often wondered how hand painted yarn is thought through - any one can paint yarn, but true artists paint yarn that looks beautiful when it's used. Last week I got some super colorful yarns!


Lorna's Laces in Black Watch and the beautiful yarn Bellamoden dyed up for the Loopy Groupies that are reading The Historian. Not sure what the Lorna's Laces is going to be yet - definitely a pair of socks, just unsure which ones. The Historian yarn is going to become a pair of Mitred Mittens for moi. Yay!


People often ask for me to make them something. Gladly is always my reply. What kind of yarn should I get? None - I'll find one that fits. I love looking at things and matching them up with people. Even Mini-Me will see some thing and tell me who needs it! I think that yarn itself has personality. You get a different vibe when you look at a tweed as opposed to a fingering weight merino. One makes you think of warm winter sweaters - the other a baby sweater or a beautiful shawl. A friend of mine's husband wants a scarf. He's a character - always making me laugh, and loves playing with Mini-Me. I think I'm going to look for a chocolaty hand spun make a real earthy, cozy, manly looking one for him. All I need to do now is find a pattern. I'm thinking that some sort of rib would be cool, however, I think that the linen stitch would be down right scrumptious in some squishy yarn (but if I do that, I'll have to stray from hand spun - crap)


Last but not least, I get inspired by others! Some times it's the challenge of learning something new. Wendy inspired me to knit socks. Opal inspired me with her cable hats to knit a hat for Mini-Me and to use a pattern with cables. Mini-Me is inspiring me to become Jackie O.





At any rate, my point is, take a minute this weekend and figure out where your mojo comes from! The more we pay attention to what makes all the wheels in our brain start to spin, the more focused we can be on our goal - making things that we love and get excited about!

So tell me, fair knitters, what inspires you?? Inquiring minds want to know!

6 comments:

WoolyWorm said...

Clara Parkes from Knitters Review recently gave a talk that I attended at Knitter's Connection. She called what you're talking about "yarn whispering." You hold the skein up to your ear and rub it on your face and get a feeling for what it wants to be. It's also based on your voluminous knowledge of fiber and your wide past experience -- but there's intuition in there too.

Jadielady said...

I am inspired by all the bloggers i have discovered in the past year. I don't think my wallet is as happy as my soul is.
Whoever said money can't buy happiness never touched Socks that Rock!

Daniele said...

Wonderful post. I think color is what inspires me the most. I also like using my own homespun. And, gifting is a fabulous thing! (which is a good thing or I would need three sock drawers)...

Daniele aka mscreate.typepad.com
aka landapugs

She Knits Socks said...

I buy yarn because of the colors, but the patterns tell me which of the colors to use. When I knit for someone, then I select the color first. If I can't match a pattern to the yarn, then I knit my generic sock pattern. (Socks are my Thing.)

Opal said...

Thanks for the shout-out. There are so many people and things out there that inspire, I feel special to have been one of them. :)

Naomi Mimi said...

i'm inspired by all kinds of stuff... current trends, what fits my body, what kind of fiber i like, color, new yarn lines, fellow knitters, books and movies. :)