Sandra's Designing Blog

This is an exclusive area of my web site where you can find out more about my knitted designs, what inspires me, how I work and what I like (and don't like) to design. 
 
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  1. MIndfulness Knitting

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    Mindfulness knitting  

    I've always known that knitting was particular good for my well being. It was something I could do that somehow took my mind away from issues / stresses going on in my life. In fact sometimes I used this form of meditation as a means of putting off things that had deadlines and really I should have been doing before the knitting. 


    Being a designer I love that I have ideas brewing in my brain, creating knitting stitch patterns that I want to try out. But turning these stitch patterns into a garment etc involves a lot of cognitive thinking; something I'm very capable of doing but when life gets in the way, it can totally stress me out as much as life itself can.

    So I'm taking a bit of time out from the designing process, the pattern writing & testing (although I do have some simple design ideas in with 'The Knitter magazine which I may do).

    I would like to turn my knitting skills into creating something for myself, but even the process of selecting and deciding on pattern and yarn to buy seems beyond me at the moment. If I get this process wrong, which I often do then I've wasted yarn and time!  Maybe I'll get the help of the 'The Fibre Tribe' , the weekly knitting group I go to, for this.

    So, the Mandala's, why? These are something I am really enjoying doing. I had to do a little research and practise to work out how to do the centre circle and how to attach the finished mandala to the embroidery hoop, but once that was done I was on my way. I work out a little plan, starting out with knowing how many stitches to start with and when to start the brioche increases to create the pictures in my head. I'm finding the process allows me to concentrate on the knitting, get enjoyment from it, and I'm enjoy the ongoing result. Because I do know how to successfully frog my brioche knitting, I even feel OK when the work doesn't quite turn out like I want, I simply take it back. 

    Knitters will understand how knitting can take away some of the stresses and strains of life in general (I'm sure you all have them!, it's not just me!).

    For non knitters - have you considered taking it up?

    Maybe one day, you'll see me write up the pattern for one of my favourite mandala's. I'm not sure I've created my favourite yet. Watch this space.
     
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    A mandala (Sanskrit for “circle”) is an artistic representation of higher thought and deeper meaning given as a geometric symbol used in spiritual, emotional, or psychological work to focus one's attention. The image first appears in India via the Hindu text known as the Rig Veda c. 1500 - c. 500 BCE but has been used by cultures around the world in many different periods up to the present.

    The details of the meaning of a given mandala depend on the individual creating or observing the image, but mandalas in every culture serve, more or less, the same purpose of centering an individual or community on a given narrative in order to encourage introspection and, ultimately, an awareness of one's place and purpose in the world; this awareness then allows for peace of mind.
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  2. New Year, New Collection

    Posted on

     Mandala's, circles, Brioche, Wool, Silk Mohair & mindfulness knitting

    Happy New Year Folks!


    During the Christmas period, after the rush of knitting kit orders I managed to finish my latest lace and slip stitch design for 'The Knitter' magazine (more about this in a few months).

    Once done I decided to work on an idea that had been brewing in my head for some time, Knitted Mandala's.  
     

    A mandala (Sanskrit for “circle”) is an artistic representation of higher thought and deeper meaning given as a geometric symbol used in spiritual, emotional, or psychological work to focus one's attention. The image first appears in India via the Hindu text known as the Rig Veda c. 1500 - c. 500 BCE but has been used by cultures around the world in many different periods up to the present.

    The details of the meaning of a given mandala depend on the individual creating or observing the image, but mandalas in every culture serve, more or less, the same purpose of centering an individual or community on a given narrative in order to encourage introspection and, ultimately, an awareness of one's place and purpose in the world; this awareness then allows for peace of mind.
    I design and create the mandala's using Brioche knitting, a technique that I'm in love with. It's a process that I really don't have to think about once I've worked out an initial starting plan, the design just comes to life. I have to stick to one or two rules to create the circular shape but after that anything goes. To finish I block and stretch the mandala out and attach to an embroidery hoop.  No doubt I'll be creating more of these over the next few months so make sure you come back to see my progress. 

    Please come along to my social media channels or reply to this email to let me know your thoughts on these.
     
    I'm quietly amazed at these little beauties myself.