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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If you’re new to lace knitting or just aren’t sure how to incorporate the technique into garments, check out these tops and sweaters that use lace as a decorative element.

The easiest lace out there is eyelets, and you can practice them plenty with this eyelet covered sweater from Knitcro Addict. It uses light/DK weight yarn and is worked in four pieces knit flat. It’s intended to be a little cropped and a little oversized, and includes sizes XS to XXL in the pattern.

If you’re in parts of the world where it’s getting colder as you read this, the Nora sweater from Bummbul might be a good choice. This is actually a great one for learning lace because it’s worked in super bulky yarn, which makes it easier to see what you’re doing and makes the lace super graphic. This one just comes in one size, with a 42 inch (106) cm bust, but that could fit a variety of people depending on how much ease you like.

Minimi Knit Design has a cute allover lace cardigan worked in one piece from the bottom up. It’s worked in lace weight mohair held double, which maybe isn’t the best for those new to lace (because it can be hard to rip out) but it sure is pretty. Sizes range to fit from 30 to 66 inches/76 to 168 cm bust measurements.

If you’d rather not have lace all over your sweater, you can knit the Lumi sweater from Originally Lovely, which has a chevron lace pattern on the yoke and is otherwise worked in reverse stockinette stitch. (It’s worked inside out so you don’t have to purl every stitch.) The pattern has 9 sizes from XS to 5XL and uses worsted weight yarn.

Or try the super romantic sookie blouse from Trust the mojo (available on Ravelry). This sweet top is started working flat from the bottom up and has a V-neck and I-cord edgings. The sleeves are worked separately in the round, and the pieces are all joined together to work in one piece to finish off the top. It comes in eight sizes and is available in English and French.

You can also pair lacy sleeves with an otherwise plain top, like on the Starflower Wrap from Annelise Driscoll Gingrow. This intermediate pattern makes a wrap sweater with generous lacy sleeves and a double wrap belt. The pattern has nine sizes, from XS to 5XL, and is available for free from Hobbi.

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