Art in Process

Stitch by Stitch
Row by Row
Piece by Piece
Seam by Seam
Accumulating and culminating
The piece of art takes form


                                                                                          Photo Copyright Mel Ski

For the past few weeks I have been knitting the Halele'a cardigan by Mel Ski, the designer and podcaster behind Singlehandedknits. This pattern and yarn kit was generously sent to me by the fabulous Stacie, the dyer and podcaster behind Must Stash Yarn.

I knew from the very beginning that the finished object would be stunning.  The yarn, Must Stash Yarn Helluva skein, is a super soft superwash merino, fingering weight, and super durable 6-ply yarn. The yarn is aptly named for the whopping 750 yards per skein put-up.  That much yardage means there are only 2 skeins to alternate throughout the whole garment. With all those plies, and at the gauge of the pattern, the yarn drapes like a dream and will be a wonderful layering piece.  It will provide warmth on a cool day, yet will not be too stifling to wear on a warmer day. And the color alone slays me: that vibrant, gorgeous, stunning green.

The finished object is often my favorite part of any knitting project, but with this pattern's modular and unique construction, I have appreciated and mindfully enjoyed each step of the knitting process. While knitting seamless garments has a certain mindless ease, piece work has small victories and milestones. It isn't just: I added 2 inches to the yoke. Instead, it is a refreshing change of pace to say: HUZZAH I have created the left front! It may not seem like much, but then seaming reveals an even bigger glimpse of the whole puzzle.
Each step has a mindful goal and end. With the accumulation and culmination of all those pieces resulting in something so much more than it's parts.  A garment. A piece of art.

I was so excited today when I took the picture above of the pieces that form the upper bodice.  I love how the puzzle pieces have come together and the cardigan is starting to take form. Next up is the textured bottom section of the body, and I can't wait to see the piece of art further develop and unfold.

How about you? What process (knitting or otherwise) have you been mindfully enjoying lately?