Book Review – Create Mindfully with Projects from Sereknity

Mindful knitting and crochet are buzzwords for a reason. A lot of us create with yarn in order to relax, to make things from the heart to share with family and friends (and to use ourselves) and to give ourselves comfort at the same time.

Fiber artist Nikki Van De Car explores mindful creativity in knitting and crochet with the 27 projects in her book Sereknity: Peaceful Projects to Soothe and Inspire.

Many of the projects are named for yoga poses and charkral centers of the body, but if you’re not into that the book isn’t really woo-woo. It’s more about creating simple but not boring projects that are in themselves meditative and that bring comfort and a sense of peace while creating them and when you wear, use or gift them.

Half of the projects (14, to be precise) are crocheted, while the rest are knit, but none require a lot of experience or skill. Some techniques are described in the book but there are no photos or tutorials for different stitches, so if there are things here you don’t know how to do but would like to, head to the Internet for a tutorial.

I actually like a lot of the crocheted pieces — a triangular scarf, a pretty openwork cowl, a market bag and the flowers on the front cover are all on my to-make list — but there are some great knitting projects, too, including a super-simple rectangular Stockinette scarf worked in two colorways of self-striping yarn for extra fun, a slouchy Fisherman’s Rib hat, a top-down cardigan that’s still a really easy piece, and a pretty cushion for meditation. Check out the projects on Ravelry.

There are lots of great projects here for knitters and crocheters of all skill levels who want to slow it down, take it easy and be more mindful in their stitching. The only complaint I have is that I wish there were more pictures, because some of the pieces are hard to see or the photos are a little dark in the book (for example, the Rustica shawl is only shown from the side, draped over a shoulder, so you get no real sense of the size or shape of it).

If you’d like to get your hands on a copy, Stefanie is giving hers away right now. (Through June 1.) I think I’ll be hanging on to my copy for a while.

About the book: 120 pages, paperback, 27 patterns (13 knitting patterns). Published April 11, 2007, by Running Press, retail price $15.99.

Looking for more knitting patterns for knitted Cardigans? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

Looking for Yarn online? Check out Lionbrand our preferred source for purchasing yarn online.

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Some knitters have trouble coming up with projects they can both knit and wear when it’s warm outside. Especially if you’re not ready for garments (thought tank tops and summer tops are great first garment projects!) it might seem like there’s nothing to do when it’s hot outside.

One way to remedy this situation is by knitting headbands. Headbands are great any time of year to keep hair out of your face and make you look a little more pulled together without any effort. Wider headbands double as ear warmers when it gets colder, but skinnier ones are great throughout the year.

A couple of great examples are from designer Elly Donner, who has a set of headband knitting patterns on Ravelry you can buy individually or as an ebook. Homebody, shown here, is worked in garter stitch (the ties are crocheted but you could also use I-cord), while Slipstream uses slipped stitches and garter ridges, and Sounds of Spring has little cables. The patterns use DK weight yarn and are a great way to use a little leftover yarn from another project.

I also recently came across the lovely Plush Braided Headband by Yevgeniya Li. A free pattern on Ravelry, this wider design is covered in lush cables for a sleek and fancy look. It uses worsted weight yarn and you can customize the length for a perfect fit.

Celeste Knitwear’s Spikelet is a simple twisted headband with columns of eyelet lace to keep it from being too heavy. It’s worked flat and sewn together to make the twist, and uses DK weight yarn. It has three sizes available.

This skinny lace headband from Lusi Knits is another cute choice. It calls for fine weight cotton yarn, but you could use heavier yarn if you have it on hand to make a wider headband (or use any fine yarn you have available). It uses ties to customize the fit.

And if you want to go super basic but still really cute, try the easy ring headband from Lulu Pattern. The sample is knit pretty wide, but you could make a narrower version if you want, and the little ring turns it from a plain loop into a bow with very little extra work. It calls for worsted weight yarn but you could also use whatever weight you like for this one to change up the look and size.

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