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.
This looks like a wonderful book. Thanks for the opportunity to participate.