Swag and Sharing

The excitement of knitting is coming back to me.  When I used to do the magazine design thing, I rarely had any opportunity to enjoy my own yarn, my own time, my own fulfillment.  I had to fit design requirements (or try to - some people are never happy people in general), work with pre-chosen yarn, and chain myself to the floor and tell my roommate things like, "If you see me nodding off with these needles in my hand, 'accidentally' kick me really hard when you walk by", or "If you see my eyes crossing or fingers bleeding, do not call 911...I like it". 

So believe it or not, I'm JUST NOW starting to make friends with it again.  It's like not talking to an old friend for a really long time, and then getting reacquainted with them and their likes/dislikes, how they behave when knitted with Addi's vs. bamboo, how they spin, which dyes they like best, and when things are too loose, you do your best to tighten them up a bit. 

It's the 'ole "When your passion becomes work, it is no longer your passion.  It's work" saying.  Remember telling me that, Cari?  Anyway, whatever.  I could go on and on about it.  I'm finding that the true enjoyment takes a while to really come back.  And now that it has, I'm going to try a little somethin' somethin'.  A little thing I'm going to call "SHARE THE PASSION".  (could be an annual thing, no?)

No rules, no nothin', but a bunch of people at my apartment (1400 sq feet) sitting around knitting and stuffing our faces.  Got kids?  Bring 'em.  Got issues?  Leave 'em at home.  I figure there are enough people here in NYC to make this successful. (that's not a prerequisite, by the way...living in NYC) I've always loved to throw parties and only recently have discovered why I don't do it more is because I hate the drunk people involved.  I can't imagine knitters being as destructive??? 

So I'm going to make up a little invite, send it to whoever asks for it, and we'll do our thing!  (I'll keep my clothes on, though, I promise.)  It ain't that kind of party.  I'm thinking mid-April?  Just when our minds are starting to wind DOWN from the knitting of winter. 

In the meantime, speaking of passion -

This is the "inner rage" roving that Scout and I developed.  It's now a colorway on her site, so go buy some.  There.

Why, I could even just wear it as a scarf and not spin it.  It's so soft, like cotton candy.

Then, I just had to buy the VanGogh sock yarn.  She nailed the colors.  Right on, girl. 

 

Please tell me, 1. if this knit-in at my apartment is a dorky idea, and I'll remove this entire post immediately.  Good grief, how embarrassing...and 2. if you've tried similar things at YOUR apartments with disastrous results.  Wouldn't want that.

Comments

[lesleyd]

I think it is an AWESOME idea!! I meet with some friends every sunday at Applebees down the street from my house. We call it Stitches and Brews. One thing I've noticed is that knitters do not drink as fast as those without their knitting. I wish I lived in NYC! I'd show up!

[Kim]

I think it's a great idea! I'd make it my regular Saturday night thing /Roadhouse.

*note to self: move to NY*

[Ruinwen]

I'd so be there if I lived in NY! I think it is a super idea. :)

I'm glad your finding that you enjoy your craft again. Working on deadlines with yarn you hate can try anyone's passion.

The roving and sock yarn are so yummy. I really love the colorways.

Ruinwen
:)

[jackie]

Hell, I'm in.

[Carrie]

Sounds fun to me. I'd be there if I didn't live by the left coast...

[Iris]

I'm in. If my apartment wasn't so darn tiny, I'd do it every week.

[chris]

it's a GREAT idea. i did one that wasn't quite an open invitation as yours, but friends did show up and brought people they knew who knit - their mothers, other friends of theirs, whom i'd never met before that. i themed it a soup and knitting party, i made a couple of pots of different soups and it was a great time!!

[Angie]

I'd be SO all over if if I only lived near NYC. Knit on!

[cari]

Did I say that? I'm kinda smart sometimes.

Thumper and I are in, barring unforeseen familial obligations.

[scout]

I would be there in a second shaking up my famous cosmos. The swaggy love looks great in its new home. I don't even spin and I love that superwash merino.

[D R E W]

damn, you live in nyc and your apt. is 1400 sq feet? lucky you.

photo of you and the roving is cute.

[Nat]

I know exactly what you mean about when your passion becomes work. I love making jewelry, but right now i am a designer for a company that is just out to fit the biggest rock on that finger. I have no say in what i am designing, and it is sucking the soul out of me. When i finally do get around to my own bench, and get reacquainted with my tools, and my own ideas, i remember why i was drawn to making it my job.

I'm glad you are able to enjoy your yarn again, i'm looking forward to wanting to make what i like to make again. (at least i did learn the lesson, i refuse to let knitting become a job, i like it too much.)

Oh, and your party idea, it sounds wicked fun! I wish i were in NYC to join you.

[Beth K]

I don't live anywhere close to NYC or NY, but I would so come knit at your house and bring my kids, eat food and not get drunk and break stuff. Come to think of it, I've never done that......

[J.P.]

It's sounds like fun to me... if only I weren't so far away!

[Julie]

I would be there if I didn't live in Indiana- have a great time and think of me!

[Angie]

I think a knit-in at your apartment sounds great. You should definitely go ahead w/it.

[Jessamyn]

Sounds like a great idea. Count me in, unless I'm moving to Brooklyn that weekend!

[Spinneret]

It absolutely works to do this. Could be a ConEd tent/manhole in the street and it would work. Count me in please?

[Cassie]

Yay knit-in! I'm in, of course.

[Lizbon]

Great idea - I'm in, barring scheduliary complications.