Slow Making

2024 was a very full year for me and when December rolled around, I was ready to slow things down a bit. I said no to many things, I declined requests for last-minute holiday knitting projects, and I actually spent some time in rest. True rest. I didn’t feel pressure to be in production mode. I spent time with my family and friends. I took naps. I walked slowly and savoured that time. I ran with intention and enjoyed the scenery. I did weight training that brought me joy. I enjoyed some quiet time. I really soaked in that quiet time. Slow December was a real blessing.

Now that we’re in the New Year, the temptation is there to jump in to all sorts of challenges, to schedule more, pack more things into my to-do list, and to fill my days. I’m not a resolution setter but I am definitely one who enjoys setting and working toward goals and deadlines for myself throughout the year.

This year I’m approaching things a little differently. I’m carrying over the energy of my Slow December into January. I’ve scrapped a couple of projects that just weren’t bringing me joy and immediately felt a huge sense of relief and lightness. There was nothing wrong with the projects …. They were beautiful … but I realized as I was pushing through them that I actually didn’t want the finished project. I want to craft with intention and allowing myself to abandon those projects freed up time for what I actually wanted to work on.

I used that lightness as fuel to spend a little time at my wheel and finished spinning the yarn for a long-term project.

Last year, I started spinning for a Traveler Shawl by Andrea Mowry. I had several braids from Inglenook Fibres, of beautiful merino, Tussah silk, and flax that I had chosen to spin as fractals for this project. They were good sized braids too! They were between 5.7 and 6oz so there was lots of spinning fun to be had.

Last week I finished spinning and plying the last braid which meant I got to cast on! I’m not too terribly far into the knitting but I’m really enjoying the slow rhythm of knitting it and watching as the colours fade from one to the next. If you’ve not knit with fractals, you are missing out! They’re always an adventure and you never really know for sure what they’ll look like until you knit them.

So for now, I’m just going to pick away at the knitting …. A couple of rows here and there … and savour the process of knitting in my own handspun. After all, one of the chief treasures of being a spinner is getting to enjoy the beautiful yarn you made with your own two hands.

Until next time, I wish you peace and joy-filled crafting. 💗