Back to My Roots

Too much knitting. Clearly, my mind is tired of knitting. And given that lately, most efforts have been based on mindless stockinette, it is hard to figure out why the brain is tired. Tired of mindlessness perhaps? So I am back to my roots of crochet.

This is the first repeat of a newly published pattern. Check out the cover of Crochet! magazine.

The Fantasy in Color Jacket is designed by Margaret Hubert and won first prize in fashion in the first-ever Crochet Guild of America Design Contest. The designer recommends Noro Kureyon Sock yarn - but I am using the Silk Garden sock simply because of the color availability.

Five little rows and my mind is once again happy. Not tired at all. It is like the cells woke up and yelled, "hey, we remember this - let's do more!"

I really like the way the clusters line up. Are they butterflies? Flowers? Clover? Doesn't matter at all because they look great.

A Good Community Yarn

This post is a true Yarn From the Southland. No fiber, no knitting, no crochet. A yarn in the sense of a good story about how I spent my day. And the lesson I learned. Today I was privileged to be a professional volunteer. I was part of a community review team that visited two nonprofits in the area.

Our team is just one of many that goes out and visits good organizations that have applied for funds to continue good works. We review programs, speak with members of the Board of Directors, interact with each Executive Director, walk around the facility, and ask questions. The goal is to gather information that supports the application for funding.

One facility my team visited today was a home for women recovering from substance abuse. Just walking into the yard of the house felt like coming home. This particular house is not an institution. It is a home. I was truly impressed by a program that expects 24/7 cooperation and educates women on how to lead a sober life. This is just one of three group homes in the area.

In addition to the professionals and Board members, we met women who are graduates of the program. Graduates! And they are employed full time, volunteering and giving back, reuniting with family and helping other women to pull it together. Most impressive.

Let me not gloss over that the graduates and current participants of the program are volunteers in their community. Women working to overcome - - and giving back as a part of the recovery process. We were excitedly shown the storage area where the current program participants are gathering supplies that they will use to participate in a community art event. So very impressive.

Here were women who are accepting help and learning to live a new path - - and all they could think about was how much fun it will be to help children discover art and explore creativity. These women will make it! They will live clean and sober because they are now focused outward! They have learned, through this program, that giving to others is healing to self.

I drove out to this site visit thinking that I was doing good - - helping to decide which programs deserve support. Having input as to where dwindling dollars will have the greater outcome. Basically patting my self on the back for being a professional volunteer.

I drove away from this site visit with a new understanding of what it means to do good. What it truly means to give back. Words can not explain the emotion; words can not convey the paradigm shift. Those who have so little are giving back so much.


Let today be more than a good story - more than just a yarn from the southland of California. Let it be a renewed commitment to look outward and give more than I take.

Magnetic Knitting

The knitting is now magnetized. A little experiment that needs refining, but I do believe that I am on to something here.

Quite some time ago I purchased a package of magnetic beads. The beads are apparently used in jewelry making. The package sat unopened in my supply of beads that one day may be knit into something grand. Every yarn lover should have a supply of embellishments that does not count against the stash. This I firmly believe. It makes total sense to add to the collection of potential embellishments. Any time and money spend on these little extras does not - absolutely does not - count against the yarn stash. Two totally different issues.

At any rate, the amount of left over yarn from the Twinkle Toes socks was sufficient to spur my most fertile imaginings and led me to the magnetic experiment. What we have here is a simple little purse pouch just big enough for one small comb, lip balm and secret mad money that is available for emergency purchases. Emergencies such as chocolate, merlot or yarn.

You might recognize the slip stitch heel transformed into a a pouch, but focus on those beads up top. Magnetic! Yep, knit those suckers in every six stitches and then bound off on the next row. I had not planned it, but for some reason the beads 'stick' together in little clumps of four beads each. Kinda cute. So far the concept is working and practical. Just enough grab from the beads to hold the top closed, but not so much weight to mess up the structure.

Think I'll let it be for a week or so. I could go back and add beads every four stitches for a more secure closure but I am afraid the weight of the magnetic wonders would be too much.

I'm on to something here. . . . . .

Yarns From The Southland

Note the title change. This blog is now titled Yarns From The Southland. The address remains the same, so hopefully blogger and I are communicating.

Random Yarn Thoughts

Random thought #1. Free patterns are great. Pluie Soap Holder from Berroco is a quick knit. As in so quick you can cast on in the morning and give to your hostess in the evening.











Random Thought #2 Getting ready for a fundraiser based on yarn swapping takes time. Yet again, I was forced to visit the entire stash and let go of treasures. No tears - although I did hold back half of a favorite wool that was destined to be paired with my grey suit. Do you think that 1000 yards still in the stash is enough to make a tank top? Would not want to run out. Perhaps the larger question is why did I have 2000 yards (!!!) of the stuff? Clearly, there is undiagnosed pathology.

Random Thought #3 I love the new socks!