Why I'm learning to knit.
My journey to all-natural fibers and clothing.
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I Iike to surprise myself. It’s great for my art, too.
The title of my latest book — I Was Once A Person — literally dropped into my mind like a stone in water as I puttered in the garden two summers ago. It was so profound that I sat back and said, Who? Who was once a person? Who are you?
Now, I’m not a medium and generally don’t go around conversing with spirits all day. That’s reserved for me talking to myself! However, the easy, meditative task of being in the garden brought a stillness that allowed my wonderful title to appear. Did I expect it? No. Did I ask for it? Nope — didn’t even know if I was going to write another book. And here it snuck right up on me . . .
I hope that my latest curiosity with knitting brings the same type of inspiration. Did I wake up and say, I’m going to learn to knit? No. I simply watched a YT video from environmentalist Robin Greenfield on his journey to natural fibers — and it inspired me to continue upgrading my wardrobe to all-natural fibers. Rather than waiting for someone else to make my clothing, why not begin to understand the process through kitting?
I enjoy working with my hands — writing, baking, music, Tarot, futzing with broken things, etc — because it allows my VERY active mind to rest, even when focused on a task. Otherwise, I can overthink, get stressed and listen to “outside” world stuff instead of creating my world — the only world that exists.
I’m stoked to learn how to knit 🧶 and will report on how it goes. My guess is that my friends will receive loads of washcloths and janky scarves next year. At least they’ll be organic cotton / wool!
What I wear is as important as what I eat.
Many years ago, I decided to begin the process of removing all clothes that contained plastic / non-biodegradable fabrics from the closet, including my beloved pile of yoga pants and plastic yoga mat. This complimented my overall journey of organic foods / tinctures / products to support a healthy liver.
I read reams of articles on toxic fabrics — even non-organic cotton is heavily treated with chemicals — and realized how harmful fast-fashion is to the Earth and our skin. What was the point of eating well, if I was just going to negate it with sweat and toxic fabrics?
Again, it’s been a process and I regularly go through my closet to remove items that are not up to snuff. I’m a minimalist, so that also helps because my eyes love to see a mostly empty closet — but still have jeans that include 1-2% elastane (really, Levi’s?) and sport bras that are “healthy” nylon.
Most of my clothes are from Cottonique / Hope & Henry and other companies and I go for 100% organic cotton, most GOTS certified — and recently snagged a few pairs of 100% organic cotton heavy yoga pants from Timberland, which kinda shocked me. My goal is for every new piece, I remove at least 2-3 for the thrift store. I’m super careful and conscious when buying products and make sure to get them as “healthy” as I can without breaking the bank.
One day all of my clothes will be natural/organic fibers and would love for them to be sourced / made in America.
Working with my hands makes me appreciate the artisans — and grandmothers — of the past.
Nothing brings it home like cooking and baking for hours — and realize just how LONG everything took back in the day. I’m all for modern appliances — thank you, genius minds — but when I take the time to bake/cook homemade, there is great satisfaction in the process. The end result is mostly wonderful and sometimes meh but I always eat what was prepared because of the steps it took me to get there.
Fast food and processed meals do not work with my digestion / intuition / job — and they are basically poison, so I’m grateful to have the interest and curiosity to learn these skills — and the joy that comes with the result. I’ve never felt better — and will continue to seek out the healthiest options / alternatives. They’ve always been there — thank you, Earth. It’s simply me being more conscious about it — for my own happiness and well-being.