Slow Down, You Move Too Fast...

Slow October - inspired by Karen Templer at Fringe Association   The notion of slowing down and simplifying is not new, but to do this with a conscience and a deliberate effort to reduce one's impact on the environment is the focus for a lot of the discussion.  She has a link to an article about the myth of 'donating' and 'recycling' clothes.  Eye-opening and thought-provoking - go read it now!

I'm re-evaluating my wardrobe from a knitting perspective.  I have things I've knit that I never wear.  I'm going to frog, and reknit into things I will either wear or gift.  My time is extremely limited these days (Slow October will be a focus on all aspects of life here, not just my wardrobe - more on that next time), as is my clothing and knitting budget.  My goal is to look at two things this month:  what I wear and knit, and how I use my time.  The second one is not just about 'spare time' or 'making more of my down time', it's about what I say yes and no to, and what occupies my mind as much as my time.  

First up:  I've frogged this 

I knit it without a pattern, but wish I had made it more slouchy and oversized than I did.  I'm reusing the yarn to make a couple of baby sweaters for friends.  Both are Tin Can Knits patterns.  I started Flax for a friend at work. 

Next up will be Harvest, with the same yarn.  I have projects underway and plan to finish them.  They've been blogged about here in the last few months (vest, summer tee, Sambuca pullover).  I want to finish projects that are in progress, and then evaluate what I really want to do with my stash. 

In short, Slow Fashion for me doesn't mean making all of my clothes.  It means looking at why I have clothes I don't wear, and taking time to knit things I'll actually wear (or give as a thoughtful gift).  More next week as I gather my projects, finish frogging the vest, and dig deeper into the real reasons why I can't seem to slow down my mind.

On the Needles this spring

I'm finishing up some projects, starting some new ones.  I don't like knitting spring/summer things, as the season is so short here.  That said, I have a few things planned for when these are done:

A Blue Devil hat - pattern by Thea Coleman (Babycocktails) and yarn is Madeline Tosh DK.  Love the colour and the yarn is so smooth!

A Spiral Spun Waistcoat - my version of the Anna Vest, since I can't afford the book the pattern is in.  This one is a free pattern posted through the Victoria Albert Museum.  I'm knitting along with Karen at Fringe Association.

Still working on my Long Vest - it's been on the back burner as I finish other projects.  May plan to finish by fall...

A Lowlands hat by TinCanKnits to keep the 'gift box' filled.

I have two spring projects queued up - more on those soon!