11 minutes for 2011

In my classrooms (online and off) I suggest that a habit off 10 minutes per day spent with a knitting machine or related activities will get and keep the juices flowing. The juices I speak of are the educational and creative processes that fuel us in our times of need. I personally am in need of getting the juice flowing so that it becomes MOJO again. I had it once and I’d like it back thank you very much.

So I am committing to 11 minutes of Fiber Related activity every day for 2011. So far this year I’m golden even though I’m just getting around to writing about my insanity. This cannot continue and you will be either happy or chagrined to be seeing daily blog entries by 10pm each day with podcasts interspersed perhaps far more often than previously published. Love or hate it is what I need to do and you dear readers can enjoy or not. I want my mojo back!!!

Since I hand knit and crochet in addition to machine knitting there may be quite a bit more than I normally discuss. But its all fiber and I believe that most mental, physical or spiritual health professionals will agree that this can only be a positive thing. That said? Here we go…

I’ve spent more than 10 minutes writing this entry. But I’ve also spent some time thinking about my goal. I can’t just say I thought about knitting on any given day and for today there will be actual knitting done but I want to make the rules for myself. Set an example so to speak and live it. I’d invite everyone to join with me in this but it’s going to be difficult. I know it is going to be difficult so I need some rules and guidelines I have to live by. So here are my rules:

11 Minutes for 2011 Rules (For Heather Thompson)
1) I will spend 11 Minutes in pursuit of Fibery Goodness EVERY DAY of 2011.
2) I will make note and blog entries detailing each day’s pursuit.
3) Thinking about knitting without a specific project will not count.
4) Spinning, hand knitting, crochet, yarn shopping, meeting attendance, class preparation, class time, fiber bearing animal and plant care and collection all count!
5) Reading counts but only if it is pattern, technique, or industry related. Reading a Debbie Macomber book does not count, sorry!
6) Posts must be made daily.
7) Writing blog entries does NOT count!
In the event of my death, maiming, dismemberment or significant illness a Doctor’s note will be provided!
9) No quitting just because the MOJO seems to be back.
10) Napping with or blankly staring at yarn, tools and books does not count.
11) Failure is not an option.
Day 1 January 1st, 2011 – I spent this day seaming a garment finished on December 31st. This garment’s completion put me where I wanted to finish 2010. 9 hoodies knitted for the Grand victims. I am absolutely certain I spent more than an hour on this effort.

Day 2 January 2nd, 2011 – I spent several minutes adding to my list of knitting to be done this year. A Facebook friend posted the following:

“Pay it Forward 2011: I promise to send something handmade to the first 5 people who leave a comment. They must in turn post this and send something they made to the first 5 people who comment on their status. The rules are that it must be handmade by you and it must be sent to your 5 people sometime in 2011. (What a great way to start 2011) ”

I got my five pretty quickly and spent time thinking about the projects I want to complete in 2011. If you are on FB or some other social media and lack projects go right on ahead and repost that. I think it is fun particularly when shared with folks with other talents! I also spent time finishing garments previously knitted.

Day 3 January 3rd, 2011 Ohhh this day might be a little tricky. Hubby and I got our TV this day. OH I know what I did. I’d accepted a request to knit mittens for my young niece. I purchased yarn and grabbed some hand knitting needles thinking I’d whip them off quickly. However the yarn that the mittens were requested to be in (to match a scarf already made) was yucky to work with and deferred the work to the Machine. I researched patterns to use for the mittens both hand and machine. Way more than 11 minutes spent on that project.

Day 4 January 4th, 2011 – Knitted a pair of Mittens (about an hour?) on the machine. Here is a picture of Da Boss helping me out

Wut? Iz helpin yous wit your stringz.

Day 5 January 5th, 2011 This was an office day. During which I realized I had the budget to look into repairing my ribber carriage. I took pictures of the problem area and parts needed and sent out an email request seeking the parts. I also recorded a podcast which was subsequently trashed due to a lack of mojo being involved in the podcast. We will work on that. I also worked on finishing the mittens knitted on Day 4 and started a scarf to match (must rid myself of this yarn).

Day 6 January 6th, 2011 – MK WORLD LIVE FUN SESSION!!! 45 minutes plus spent discussing knitting with friends new and old! (woo hoo that will cover at least 2 days a month) I also went looking for and planned knitted projects related to the birth of my 10th Grand Victim late 1/5/11. Finishing, laundering and blocking previously knitted garments for in person delivery

Day 7 January 7th, 2011 – Rescheduled the normally scheduled Fun Session from the 2nd Saturday to the 3rd due to travel needs. Shipped mittens knitted previously. Packed fiber supplies for road trip. Displayed previously knitted items for my mentor (Mom) who deemed them awesome.

Day 8 January 8th, 2011 – Delivering and discussing knitting projects with grand victims and daughters in law. The grand victims are great motivators and they have put in their requests. Several want sweaters with their initials on them similar to the original “Z” man hoodie made years ago. This hoodie is still in use although the Z doesn’t apply to the current user. They love it because it is like a super hero item. Acquired wooden bowls and a very large wooden drying rack which will be wonderful additions for many fibery pursuits. The bowls will probably end up with balls of scrap yarn or perhaps more Gevlochten Bal
Here’s a picture of ye olde Z Man Hoodie

Day 9 January 9th, 2011 This was a stressful day… I thought about knitting, posted and participated in online discussions but I’ll be honest this particular day is one of the reasons I absolutely have to make this commitment to myself. I know I got 11 minutes in but it wasn’t enough. Most of the day was spent in the car returning home.

Day 10 January 10th, 2011 – I worked on editing a pattern for later use. I spent about 30 minutes on this project. Thought some more about yarn and projects I’ve got in the works. My Mom’s Skirt project weighs heavily on my mind as I consider yarn options other than her preferred RH (and I call her my Mentor). Posted in some online discussions as well.

Day 11 January 11th, 2011 – This day was spent in the car. I had one errand to run which became two then an all day event as I dealt with acquiring a snow thrower for our home (this will allow for more knitting time!). This is where my plan for 11 minutes for 2011 was hatched though. I also found and followed up on a yarn comment with knitting friends. Made note to myself that as I go through classes, sessions and chats to always be clear about what I mean. (ha ha ha somebody reading this understands that comment)

Day 12 January 12th, 2011 – That would be today… the beginning. I am organizing my projects. Looking at what I want to do and need to do versus those things that I must do. I’ll have my list organized and added as a page by the end of the night. I should probably look at the stash and see if I can plan some stash busting as well.

I may be a fiber nut but truly it has kept me going through some rough times. It is a healthy activity in so many ways. I’ll be talking more about that as the year goes on. What do you do to for your sanity and joy if it isn’t fiber related?

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