Showing posts with label beginnings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beginnings. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Photos in Maine!
This weekend, I'll be joining some good friends in Maine, Carrie Bostick Hoge and Cecily Glowik MacDonald. We'll be working together to photograph the first 6 Caterpillar Knits designs!
Carrie has recently photographed the garments for Quince and Co. The photography is beautiful and simple, and the yarns are to die for. Absolutely great wool yarns that I'll be talking more in-depthly about in the future.
The last few months it has brought me a lot of joy to design, knit and crochet these garments. I really wasn't sure I'd be able to complete them all before the photo shoot, but I've surprised myself. When I set lofty goals, it's really a great feeling to see them through to the end. The first goal was to get all the garments created for the shoot. Next, is to get the patterns edited and laid out, then to finish the website! The most time-consuming part is behind me, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The first season is well on its way, and I'm very excited that I'll soon be able to share all the garments with you in their complete-ness.
Hold onto your hats folks—these are going to blow you away! (or if you don't have a hat, sit tight… a great pattern is on its way)
Carrie has recently photographed the garments for Quince and Co. The photography is beautiful and simple, and the yarns are to die for. Absolutely great wool yarns that I'll be talking more in-depthly about in the future.
The last few months it has brought me a lot of joy to design, knit and crochet these garments. I really wasn't sure I'd be able to complete them all before the photo shoot, but I've surprised myself. When I set lofty goals, it's really a great feeling to see them through to the end. The first goal was to get all the garments created for the shoot. Next, is to get the patterns edited and laid out, then to finish the website! The most time-consuming part is behind me, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The first season is well on its way, and I'm very excited that I'll soon be able to share all the garments with you in their complete-ness.
Hold onto your hats folks—these are going to blow you away! (or if you don't have a hat, sit tight… a great pattern is on its way)
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
TNNA and Business Cards
I've decided to go to TNNA this June, in Columnbus, OH. Searching online for eco-friendly yarns can only get one so far. I went to TNNA a few years ago, and collected a LOT of useful information and a bunch of sample yarns, many which I'm finding handy right now. Plus, getting to meet the people I've been talking with through e-mail is so fun. I love putting a face with the e-mail personality, it makes it seem much more real.
I'm beginning to search for Spring 2011 yarns, to try to get ahead. I feel that releasing the Fall collection in August is a little late, so I'm hoping to get a jump on Spring to release the following Spring collection in a more timely manner, perhaps around January? Wishful thinking?
I've ordered some business cards from Greenprinter.com. They use soy and vegetable based inks and FSC certified 100% recycled, 50% post-consumer paper waste paper. They should be in my hands within the next few weeks. I'm happy to have gotten that out of the way. One less thing to think about before TNNA.
I'm beginning to search for Spring 2011 yarns, to try to get ahead. I feel that releasing the Fall collection in August is a little late, so I'm hoping to get a jump on Spring to release the following Spring collection in a more timely manner, perhaps around January? Wishful thinking?
I've ordered some business cards from Greenprinter.com. They use soy and vegetable based inks and FSC certified 100% recycled, 50% post-consumer paper waste paper. They should be in my hands within the next few weeks. I'm happy to have gotten that out of the way. One less thing to think about before TNNA.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Eco-Friendly Symbols
I've created cute little symbols for each of the eco-friendly categories.
What do you think?
vegan
animal friendly
dye free
dye friendly
organic
low carbon footprint
fair trade
I've also started creating the category and yarn pages. I've done a wee bit of sleuthing into a database, and it turns out that the web host I'm using offers phpMyAdmin. I have a book around here someplace on how to use that… I guess I should dig that out and start reading.
I'd much rather be knitting though!
What do you think?
vegan animal friendly dye free dye friendly organic low carbon footprint fair tradeI've also started creating the category and yarn pages. I've done a wee bit of sleuthing into a database, and it turns out that the web host I'm using offers phpMyAdmin. I have a book around here someplace on how to use that… I guess I should dig that out and start reading.
I'd much rather be knitting though!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Fall is coming along…
All the yarns for the Fall 2010 line have now been chosen and purchased. I await the delivery of the 2 final yarns for the 2 projects that I have yet to begin making. The 2 projects currently in-the-works are coming along well, and should be finished within the next 2 or 3 weeks.
In order to have the fall line debut in August, I'm planning on having a photoshoot in July. So far, things seem to be working out according to that timeline.
My biggest concern is getting a database set up for the patterns on the website. I'm clueless, and would rather not rely on my basic html and php knowledge to do this, which my happen for the first season. However, I hope to get the database set up before too much time goes by, and the website is filled with too much information to transfer it all easily. If you have any suggestions for how to do something like this easily, I'm all ears!
In order to have the fall line debut in August, I'm planning on having a photoshoot in July. So far, things seem to be working out according to that timeline.
My biggest concern is getting a database set up for the patterns on the website. I'm clueless, and would rather not rely on my basic html and php knowledge to do this, which my happen for the first season. However, I hope to get the database set up before too much time goes by, and the website is filled with too much information to transfer it all easily. If you have any suggestions for how to do something like this easily, I'm all ears!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Why *Knits* is in the name…
I'm working on coming up with 6 or 7 new designs for Fall 2010—trying to keep it equal between knit and crochet. I enjoy them both equally, so it seems only natural to do both. I'm planning a photo shoot for July or August, and crossing my fingers that I'll be able to make all the projects before then…
So, I suppose you'll be wondering why something called *Caterpillar Knits* would be including crochet projects. Well, I'll tell you:
The name Caterpillar Knits *came* to me. It wasn't something I sat down and pondered about for days. This name has been with me for years, and it's been waiting for the right opportunity to present itself.
During a camping trip in the summer of 2007 there was a moment while I was doodling in my sketchbook—I remembered something I read in Ram Dass's book, "Be Here Now". What he wrote was: "You can't rip away caterpillarness". Meaning our lives have a path, and a destined speed at which that path is traveled. It's not possible to force a caterpillar to become a butterfly any faster than it's going to happen… just as it's not possible for us to force anything to happen in our lives any faster than it's meant to—thus, you cannot rip away caterpillarness.
On that day, while doodling in my sketchbook, what Ram Dass said was interpreted in my head as "You can't rip away caterpillar knits". Of course, at that time I thought it was funny, but the Freudian slip has stayed with me and morphed into something meaningful. It goes along with my previous posts about being true to myself and honest about what I do. Caterpillar Knits represents that… therefore, the name cannot change to be politically correct and include crochet. I've thought hard about this… thinking of changing it to Caterpillar Stitches, or Caterpillar Designs… but they just don't hold the same meaning to me, and that's what this venture is all about–being true.
So, I apologize if having the term *knits* in the name offends any crocheters out there. Believe me, that wasn't my intention. I love crochet equally, if not more than I love knitting, and I mean it no injustice by omitting it from the Caterpillar name.
So, I suppose you'll be wondering why something called *Caterpillar Knits* would be including crochet projects. Well, I'll tell you:
The name Caterpillar Knits *came* to me. It wasn't something I sat down and pondered about for days. This name has been with me for years, and it's been waiting for the right opportunity to present itself.
During a camping trip in the summer of 2007 there was a moment while I was doodling in my sketchbook—I remembered something I read in Ram Dass's book, "Be Here Now". What he wrote was: "You can't rip away caterpillarness". Meaning our lives have a path, and a destined speed at which that path is traveled. It's not possible to force a caterpillar to become a butterfly any faster than it's going to happen… just as it's not possible for us to force anything to happen in our lives any faster than it's meant to—thus, you cannot rip away caterpillarness.
On that day, while doodling in my sketchbook, what Ram Dass said was interpreted in my head as "You can't rip away caterpillar knits". Of course, at that time I thought it was funny, but the Freudian slip has stayed with me and morphed into something meaningful. It goes along with my previous posts about being true to myself and honest about what I do. Caterpillar Knits represents that… therefore, the name cannot change to be politically correct and include crochet. I've thought hard about this… thinking of changing it to Caterpillar Stitches, or Caterpillar Designs… but they just don't hold the same meaning to me, and that's what this venture is all about–being true.
So, I apologize if having the term *knits* in the name offends any crocheters out there. Believe me, that wasn't my intention. I love crochet equally, if not more than I love knitting, and I mean it no injustice by omitting it from the Caterpillar name.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
What is this place?
Many people think January first is the beginning of the new year—and in a way, it is. But a beginning is a lot more than just a number, it’s a whole new mind-state—it’s a period of time when something ends, and something new begins—when an old way of doing things just doesn’t fit anymore, and a new way is born.
These past few years I’ve been feeling something new begin each March—around the time of my birthday and the spring solstice. It’s the time of year when life is beginning to sprout all around us; the cool winter chill is becoming part of the past; people are spending more time outdoors and the sun is shining more often. It’s the time of year I begin to feel more alive.
This year, with the change of weather, and the coming of my 29th year, also came that feeling of something new being born. But what? Some parts of my life weren’t feeling right… something had to change. Something *I do* had to change, but what?
• I try to eat healthy.
• I practice yoga.
• I ride my bicycle.
• I knit & crochet.
• I design, write and tech edit knit and crochet patterns.
I’m sure it goes on.
Looking at that list I can’t help but wonder WHAT feels different? What is it about what I do that is becoming a way of the past, and what is being born?
Eating healthy, practicing yoga and riding my bike are some things that have been born in recent years, and they still feel right. I’ve been knitting and crocheting in some form my whole life, but it wasn’t until 2005 that I began designing.
When I began practicing yoga, in 2008, there was something that didn’t *feel* right as I continued to knit, crochet and design the way I always had. There was a clash between what I felt when practicing yoga, and what I felt while knitting and crocheting. It’s taken me quite a while to figure out why that clash existed and what to do about it.
(Note: For ease and maintaining a flow in writing, I’m going to continue speaking of “knitting, crocheting and designing” as just knitting… but I mean them all.)
The trend seemed to be that if I was practicing yoga, I was not knitting. If I was knitting, I was not practicing yoga. The clash bothered me, and because these are things I enjoy whole-heartedly, the tear between them broke my heart. There are so many people, many whom I’ve met online, who seem to have no trouble bridging the gap between knitting and yoga, but for some reason, I was having the hardest time.
This March I found a new yoga studio and continued my 3-times a week practice, but this time I also continued knitting. To much of my surprise, I was able to clearly see what was holding me back from knitting while I was in the gentle, honest, peaceful, calm, serene state of mind that I’m in after a yoga session. It’s that while I was knitting I wasn’t being honest with myself about what I was doing—I wasn’t doing it for me. I was trying to please others through my knitting, in some way or another.
I’m surprised how crystal clear it really is to me now, and I’m AMAZED at how much I must have been in denial about it before to not see the clues. For example: I’m a knitwear designer, and I use my given name with my designs, however in real life, my friends, yoga instructors, reiki teacher, and anyone with whom I develop a spiritual connection call me sam. Why is it that I still continue to use my given, legal name with my knitwear designs, when in my heart I *feel* more like sam? That question has often baffled me & I never really came up with anything to justify it that felt right—so I stopped questioning it.
I think I kept the division because I didn’t want to feel vulnerable. Sam is the soft side of myself and my given name is the name I’ve grown up with all my life—the name that people I’ve known forever identify me as—it’s who they think *I* am. But I don’t know who *I* am, so I don’t know how anyone else can know who I am when I don’t.
Sam is the part of me that accepts that she doesn’t know who she is. When I think of myself by my given name, I identify myself as the person I’ve been my whole life—the person who would run around the yard with her sister, making mud pies and crocheting with cheap acrylic yarns making doll clothes… There is a lot associated with my given name—lots of mostly-good memories that I don’t necessarily feel the need to let go of, most of the time. However, when I need to be true to my Self, and to know more who *I* am, I need to let go of the past, let go of the future, and let go of anything and everything that *I* think of myself as—that’s sam—generally written sAM.
Now, as sAM, I’m beginning something new with knitting—something true and honest to how I feel I should be living my knitting life.
I have no regrets to how I’ve worked with knitting in the past, and I’ll continue to display my old work and keep it available to all those who want it. I’m just also beginning something new—something that doesn’t negate the work associated with my given name, but rather just adds to it, in a new way.
How will it be different?
It will be a growing, changing thing—I’m not going to stick to anyone’s expectation, not even my own. There will be no expectations, or restrictions—only trust, honesty and doing what feels right in my heart at that time.
That being said, I’d like to share a little about what feels right to me in the knitting world, right now—the growing eco-friendly lines of yarn. I love seeing yarn companies reach out toward bettering the world, even if it's in the tiniest way.
I love the variety, and different ranges of eco-friendly yarns. The variety feels right—it’s a balance. While I love the idea of existing in a pure world, where everything is pure and 100% organic, and just exactly as nature intended, I also realize that we’re part of what nature intended, so life doesn’t *always* have to be 100% pure, all the time—that even the tiniest step toward helping to better the earth is better than not stepping out onto the ledge at all. Everything begins with a first step. At least, that’s how I feel right now… as I learn more about eco-friendly yarns that perspective may change. If there’s one thing in life we can count on—it’s change.
If you’re still reading, I thank you very much, from the bottom of my heart for reading through all that background info… I had to get it out there, even if just to get it off my chest, and so I know that by reading it you’ll know that I have no expectations for what is to happen here. I have no expectations, and I’m not anticipating any expectations coming from others. I’ll treat this as a knitting home—a peaceful, honest and loving place to share knitting, crocheting and designing with the world.
Namasté,
sAM
These past few years I’ve been feeling something new begin each March—around the time of my birthday and the spring solstice. It’s the time of year when life is beginning to sprout all around us; the cool winter chill is becoming part of the past; people are spending more time outdoors and the sun is shining more often. It’s the time of year I begin to feel more alive.
This year, with the change of weather, and the coming of my 29th year, also came that feeling of something new being born. But what? Some parts of my life weren’t feeling right… something had to change. Something *I do* had to change, but what?
• I try to eat healthy.
• I practice yoga.
• I ride my bicycle.
• I knit & crochet.
• I design, write and tech edit knit and crochet patterns.
I’m sure it goes on.
Looking at that list I can’t help but wonder WHAT feels different? What is it about what I do that is becoming a way of the past, and what is being born?
Eating healthy, practicing yoga and riding my bike are some things that have been born in recent years, and they still feel right. I’ve been knitting and crocheting in some form my whole life, but it wasn’t until 2005 that I began designing.
When I began practicing yoga, in 2008, there was something that didn’t *feel* right as I continued to knit, crochet and design the way I always had. There was a clash between what I felt when practicing yoga, and what I felt while knitting and crocheting. It’s taken me quite a while to figure out why that clash existed and what to do about it.
(Note: For ease and maintaining a flow in writing, I’m going to continue speaking of “knitting, crocheting and designing” as just knitting… but I mean them all.)
The trend seemed to be that if I was practicing yoga, I was not knitting. If I was knitting, I was not practicing yoga. The clash bothered me, and because these are things I enjoy whole-heartedly, the tear between them broke my heart. There are so many people, many whom I’ve met online, who seem to have no trouble bridging the gap between knitting and yoga, but for some reason, I was having the hardest time.
This March I found a new yoga studio and continued my 3-times a week practice, but this time I also continued knitting. To much of my surprise, I was able to clearly see what was holding me back from knitting while I was in the gentle, honest, peaceful, calm, serene state of mind that I’m in after a yoga session. It’s that while I was knitting I wasn’t being honest with myself about what I was doing—I wasn’t doing it for me. I was trying to please others through my knitting, in some way or another.
I’m surprised how crystal clear it really is to me now, and I’m AMAZED at how much I must have been in denial about it before to not see the clues. For example: I’m a knitwear designer, and I use my given name with my designs, however in real life, my friends, yoga instructors, reiki teacher, and anyone with whom I develop a spiritual connection call me sam. Why is it that I still continue to use my given, legal name with my knitwear designs, when in my heart I *feel* more like sam? That question has often baffled me & I never really came up with anything to justify it that felt right—so I stopped questioning it.
I think I kept the division because I didn’t want to feel vulnerable. Sam is the soft side of myself and my given name is the name I’ve grown up with all my life—the name that people I’ve known forever identify me as—it’s who they think *I* am. But I don’t know who *I* am, so I don’t know how anyone else can know who I am when I don’t.
Sam is the part of me that accepts that she doesn’t know who she is. When I think of myself by my given name, I identify myself as the person I’ve been my whole life—the person who would run around the yard with her sister, making mud pies and crocheting with cheap acrylic yarns making doll clothes… There is a lot associated with my given name—lots of mostly-good memories that I don’t necessarily feel the need to let go of, most of the time. However, when I need to be true to my Self, and to know more who *I* am, I need to let go of the past, let go of the future, and let go of anything and everything that *I* think of myself as—that’s sam—generally written sAM.
Now, as sAM, I’m beginning something new with knitting—something true and honest to how I feel I should be living my knitting life.
I have no regrets to how I’ve worked with knitting in the past, and I’ll continue to display my old work and keep it available to all those who want it. I’m just also beginning something new—something that doesn’t negate the work associated with my given name, but rather just adds to it, in a new way.
How will it be different?
It will be a growing, changing thing—I’m not going to stick to anyone’s expectation, not even my own. There will be no expectations, or restrictions—only trust, honesty and doing what feels right in my heart at that time.
That being said, I’d like to share a little about what feels right to me in the knitting world, right now—the growing eco-friendly lines of yarn. I love seeing yarn companies reach out toward bettering the world, even if it's in the tiniest way.
I love the variety, and different ranges of eco-friendly yarns. The variety feels right—it’s a balance. While I love the idea of existing in a pure world, where everything is pure and 100% organic, and just exactly as nature intended, I also realize that we’re part of what nature intended, so life doesn’t *always* have to be 100% pure, all the time—that even the tiniest step toward helping to better the earth is better than not stepping out onto the ledge at all. Everything begins with a first step. At least, that’s how I feel right now… as I learn more about eco-friendly yarns that perspective may change. If there’s one thing in life we can count on—it’s change.
If you’re still reading, I thank you very much, from the bottom of my heart for reading through all that background info… I had to get it out there, even if just to get it off my chest, and so I know that by reading it you’ll know that I have no expectations for what is to happen here. I have no expectations, and I’m not anticipating any expectations coming from others. I’ll treat this as a knitting home—a peaceful, honest and loving place to share knitting, crocheting and designing with the world.
Namasté,
sAM
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