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Posted by Raphaelle, Sunday, October 02, 2005 6:22 PM (Eastern)
I just want to go back on my previous post for a bit before going into knitting. I've thought a lot about it and I stand by what I said. It's really true that I don't believe in fashion's rules. I even wish we could get rid of societal fashion rules such as those that say what is appropriate to wear to an interview. I do follow those societal rules and I'll readily admit I believe in some of them. Still, I think they should be done away with. It's just clothes. They're necessary to protect ourselves from the elements but that's it. It's like food. Food is necessary but cuisine is not. I don't think potato chip and ketchup sandwiches sound appealing but noone will tell you you can't eat them. So why should the fashion industry (magazines, designers, etc.) tell you what colour/style/texture combinations you should wear? It's personal taste and that's that. You tastes might not be my tastes but there's no way anyone could judge which tastes are better objectively.
I also wanted to say that creativity isn't just about art. It's not about making something from nothing either. It's about looking at something differently or combining things in different ways. It's one of the most important components of science and engineering. In fact, I believe it's one of the most important components of intelligence. When one creates an outfit, what are they doing if not combining existing elements in new and different ways? It is an example of creativity. It's not art but that doesn't mean it isn't creative.
Now to the good stuff (well, I think it's the good stuff!) : my new obsession, knitting! My mother taught me when I was 9 years old but I stopped doing it a year later. Last Spring, I started up again. I needed to make stuff. Maybe it's a nesting instinct or something... Since Spring, I've completed 7 projects : a poncho, a tank top, two felted bags, a short sleeved sweater, a scarf, and a hat. Not all projects turned out great though they aren't bad.
The tank top is the worst of the bunch. It looks exactly like it's supposed to and fits exactly like in the picture so it's a success in that sense. However, I had a nagging feeling I wouldn't like it before I even started and I was right. It's boxy and that doesn't work for me. I have an hourglass shape and boxy stuff just makes me look fat. It looks cute as a vest over a white shirt but the yarn leaves bits on the shirt.
The poncho is cute but that acrylic yarn! It's really bad, stiff and a little oily. I have to see how it wears though. The bags are very cute but a little small. I have no clue how much I'll end up using them. The hat was my first cabling project and it's very cute, maybe not warm enough for Winter. And I made a small mistake. I can't see it but I know it's there. Bothers me. The place where I did the provisional cast on and the grafting is a bit messy too. I just need more practice.
And now, my stars. The scarf is this one : http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTbranchingout.html . I made it in a mohair blend in an eggplant colour. The yarn is a bit scratchy but feels fine in the end. And then there's this sweater : http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTtempting.html . I made it in a burgundy stretchy wool and acrylic blend. I replaced the ribbon with something called an I-cord, essentially a cylindrical ribbon in the same yarn as the sweater. When I wore it the first time, my mother the expert complimented it and my sister actually thought it was store-bought! Yeah, I was fairly bursting with pride there...
It's those successes that keep the obsession alive during the many frustrating moments. The act of knitting itself also provides some satisfaction. As I knit, I see wonderful fabric emerge. The cotton I've used was heavy and a bit slinky. The wool was springy and elastic, sometimes scratchy. And then there are so many other yarns I've yet to use : alpaca, cashmere, camel, silk... I'm still amazed that one thread, one single long thread of yarn, is all that's needed to make knit fabric. And as I'm gaining experience, I'm using my creativity more and more. For Christmas, I'm making hats for DH and Dad and felted bags for Mom and sister. While I'm not designing the bags themselves, I'll be designing the motifs on them. Quite ambitious as it's the first time I'll be doing colourwork...
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