Apr 22 2006
With Nature in Mind…
…Earth Day Meditations…
- Extend the life cycle of your possessions. Find a new use for something old.
Refurbish old pieces of furniture. Recycle old fabrics and sweaters. Give them a new life with a simple makeover. Felt an old sweater and make a throw pillow. Visit the thrift store to donate your old items, and find new treasures. Document this process and share it with others. Inspire them to do the same with this simple gesture.
- Enjoy an unplugged activity every day.
Pick up your needles and your hooks, your thread and needle, your paper and scissors. Turn off the lightbulb, the TV, and even the radio. Gather your picnic quilt, your sunhat and sunscreen, and head outside. Craft in nature. Use the sunlight . Take a deep cleansing breath, and see the beauty of the natural world around you. Take your craft outside and share it with the world.
- Change doesn’t happen with a single action but with a series of small gestures.
Make a difference in your own life by choosing organic produce, and a more sustainable diet. Grow your own food. Change your lightbulbs from incandescent to compact fluorescent bulbs. Take a shorter shower. Take public transportation whenever possible. Open your windows instead of automatically turning on the air conditioner.
- Nature provides an invitation to live creatively.
The greatest font of creative inspiration is the natural world. Look at the sky. Listen to the birds sing, and the insects buzz. Smell the fresh fragrance. Be open to creativity.
Speaking of being inspired by nature… I pre-ordered Norah Gaughan’s book, Knitting Nature, last year. Sight unseen. I just knew I would like it that much. Her beautiful designs have graced the pages of many design magazines, and she has contributed designs to many books. However, this is her first book of her own designs, and I cannot give it any higher praise. I received it this week, well before the expected release date of June 1st, and was instantly impressed. It is stunningly beautiful and extremely inspirational.
Gaughan reconciles her interests in both science and art bringing naturally occuring shapes and forms to her design. She bases entire chapters on a shape, and creates with this theme in mind. I will let the pictures do the talking…
Destined to be a classic, and destined to be on my needles!
Thanks for this post! Lately I’ve been spinning on my balcony, outside in the sun. It’s been wonderful! (Although I have had my mp3 player on.) Have a great weekend!
thanks for posting the pictures from norah gaughan’s book. it’s on my wishlist
Wow, what a great book!
I was just about to say how I celebrated Earth Day by spinning (and later knitting) on my balcony, but I see Cara beat me to it!
“destined to be a classic”? absofrigginlutely! seriously, wow wow. theose patterns look *amazing*. sigh, there’s just too many amazing patterns out there, and i want to knit them allllll.
happy earth day, lolly! i spend it with a room full of knitters and spinners and i loved every minute of it. yay for fiber!
Great post! Today I ran across my unused linen tank top and decided I should sew it into a summer bag. I am planning this for Project Spectrum since it’s an orange paisley shirt, but now I see that it’s a good project for Earth Day, too!
I picked up that book at BN the other day having heard nothing about it and walked out with it that day. I’m casting as soon as I can decide on a project! Gorgeous patterns.
Beautiful Earth Day sentiments! I have been impatiently waiting for the release of Norah’s book, sight unseen, because I similarly was almost sure I’d love it. Just in those pictures are 3 or 4 items that peak my interest.
On Amazon it says it releases June 1 - I may take a leap and pre-order now!
hi… i’m the other half of the team over at knititblack; kate posted about you and that’s how i found your site! i hadn’t seen this norah gaughan book before, but it’s GORGEOUS! i’m completely in love with the organic shapes. thanks for sharing!
anyway, i look forward to reading more of your blog… i’m so glad kate pointed you out!
Oh yeah!! I’m back to reading your blog. Do you believe it? I can finally see your blog. Thanks for getting it fixed, I have so much to catch up on! I missed you. It looks like you were very busy.
Lovely book, thanks for the look see. It is definitely on my wishlist.
ut-oh. i think i’m going to need that book! i enjoyed reading your earth day list. i’m going to print it out and tape it to the fridge. i love the idea of remaking something old into something new. it’s funny how i seem to fall into a project spectrum colorway each month! take care, agent gray
that book looks a stunner! thanks for sharing.
The photos from that book are gorgeous. Do you have one in mind to knit first?
Thanks for the Earth Day reminder, Lolly! I had totally forgotten. That book looks gorgeous, too. What a cool concept.
I recently re-knitted a project about 7 times. does that count as using something old for something new? Thanks for the inspiration–and the book recommendation!
Saw that book at the bookstore last night. Everything looks really nice, although much too complicated for me. Love the green sweater with the “cable” down the front. I cant wait to see what you decide to make.
Now I KNOW I want that book. Thank you Lolly. Great way to celebrate Earth Day!
Thanks for the book preview! It looks amazing!
Happy Earth Day! I love the photos from Norah Gaughan’s book. Thanks for posting them - it’s definitely one I’ll have to track down.
Oh, great. ANOTHER book that I’m going to NEED to own.
Thanks Lolly - thanks a lot.
Seriously, I love the one in the middle of the second row - just a few swirlies, not too much. Yum.
Happy Earth Day!
We MUST get that book for the shop. Love it.
Amy
Wow. That book looks amazing! It’s definitely on my list.
Thanks so much for your post - those ideas were thought provoking and inspiring. The book is already on my “must by” list - can’t wait to get it now!!
Thanks for the inspiration and continued encouragement to live with awareness. The more we THINK about our actions adn their long term ramifications the more connected to each other we become.
One note about driving witht he windows down (sorry it’s my math geek side) It actually produces more drag on the car and thereby uses MORE gasoline.
You will LOVE LOVE LOVE the Nature book! I saw it last night at B & N and almost bought it, but decided to exercise restraint (we need groceries after all) and only buy the Mason Dixon book. Both are gorgeous and I’ll add the Nature book to my collection soon.
Have a good one!
A
What an amazing book. I’m gonna scoot right over to Amazon and pick it up!
Thanks for the heads up!
Oh my gosh! Where have I been that I haven’t seen that book?!? Thanks for posting the pictures.
I really like the yellow sweater at the very bottom in the middle. She does very beautiful unique designs. I was at Barnes and Nobles today and looked at her book. She’s brilliant.
i love norah gaughan’s patterns. that book is beautiful, can’t wait to see what you decide to knit.
Lovely book! I’m adding to my wishlist now. Now the problem is what pattern to pick!
Oh… WOW! Thank you for such an extensive preview of the book. I love NG’s work, I’m so happy she’s got a book out. Happy Earth Day to you, Lauren!
Good thing this, the earth day, and how nice of you to remind us all.
I am very impressed by the picture’s from the book and can’t wait to see you knit from it!
Those are great pictures from the Gaughan book! Thanks for sharing.
To the Earth Day thoughts, I would add to either have a garage sale or donate all gently used items to charity - don’t toss things that someone else would find useful. And find a good thrift store to shop at for the gently used items of others. Reduce, Reuse, and then Recycle.
Ooh, thanks for the peek at the book! I must have it! I had heard about it, then forgotten. Now, I must preorder.
Great suggestions, eloquently stated. Thank you for the reminder of the simple things we can do to connect with our environment. Love those designs!
Thank you so much for sharing some photos from Nora Gaughan’s new book. I am a huge science/math geek, so this is perfect! Another excuse to hit both the yarn store AND the book store.
ooo thanks so much for posting about that book, it looks AMAZING!
Oh, those patterns from Norah Gaughan are just gorgeous. I think I will have to just buy this one. I love it! Thanks for the review and pics.
I just learned how to cable. I think fractals may take awhile. Can’t wait to see your successes.
oh thanks for showing us this book! I’ll need to make sure and look it up at the bookstore.
Wow, those patterns are gorgeous. I’m adding that book to my wish list!
you were the inspiration for some of my dyeing this weekend! I hope to have pictures up once the skies clear here in MA.
Yet another knitting book to add to my wishlist!!
Thanks for the wonderful Earth Day reminders. I wish more people would get with the program.
And, OMG, can I just say- that book! I have to go now, to put it on my Amozon wish list…
Oh wow. Looks like I have a new book on my wishlist!
Great post! It’s so important to remember we’re part of nature, whether or not we want to be, and if we’re going to make this earth work, we have to help it out a bit.
What great patterns int hat book, I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled for it.
what a beautiful post and those pictures of natureknitting are gorrrrrrrr-geous!(
hey lolly, i wanted to send chris (bits of knits) a little gift to get her through her rough times of late, but i want it to be a surprise - would you be able to forward me her address? if you have any questions, please email me - THANKS!).
~jennifer
What great reminders about using what we have! The book looks great - the geek in me is definitely intrigued & will have to check it out!
Well, now I have to go buy that book.
That CANNOT be good for the Earth, Lolly! ;]
Hi, L! Thanks for posting about the NG book - I had no idea she was writing one, and I love her work! So I ran out yesterday and bought it and it is indeed a beautiful, inspiring book. hope you are well! -D.
Thank you thank you thank you for those pics! I am always afraid to pre-order, but I am definitely picking this up the next time I see it. Are there any in particular that you’ll make?
Thanks for the meditations, too- those are much needed.
xo
I am so glad I ordered her book — like you, I didn’t get a chance to peek into the book but knowing how gorgeous Norah’s designs are, they’re probably gems!
[...] Here, I have some highlighted Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton designs, and one from the new Norah Gaughan masterpiece. I also have a good representation of Interweave Knits patterns. We’ll see what I come home with… I hope I can keep to the list (with only a few diversions for Morehouse Farm, and Tess Designer Yarns) Speaking of, did you see the festival COUPON for Morehouse on their website? Right click - Print! [...]
[...] This was my deal of the day. It may be tangled, but I got the whole bag for $18. That is 7 (possibly 8 skeins) of GGH Goa. I figure it needs a date with the ballwinder, but it will be worth it (the MSRP is $7.00 a skein!) I may need to play with the gauge a little, but if my calculations are correct, this is enought to make the Basalt Tank. [...]