Zen and the Art of Knitting

I have been reading Zen and the Art of Knitting by Bernadette Murphy. I received a copy of the book from Nate for Christmas this year (nice son, nice boy) It is a nice book to read and thought provoking I really like the book. It has really made me think about how I really feel about knitting. One of the things she takes about how knitting is a process. I dig knitting because it appeals to my logical side. I like to count things and organize things (cataloger) and knitting lets me see the pattern in things. I also like the actual physical act of knitting and don't worry so much about the finished product. My phobia of wearing my handicrafts should be a post in and of itself. But the process of knitting now that is fun. Maybe that is why I like to make cables so much.

One other thing she talks about is the act of concentrating on the person you are knitting for when your working. I have been doing this along even when crocheting. When I make a blanket for someone I think about them, what they are like and why I care for them. I only make blankets for people that move me in some way and I like to think that they like the blanket or what I knit for them because they can sense that I worked the stitches with them on my mind.
I have been thinking about moving towards a more spiritiual centered life (not a religious life) and I see my love of knitting as a progression towards this goal.

As for the sweater vest 12 inches and counting. It has gotten to be a community project people on the bus check it out and people ask how is the vest? My friend at work's mother recently passed away. I have been thinking about her and my friend while knitting. He always wears the most elaborate and well knitted aran vests and sweater I have ever seen his mother was a fantastic knitter. I was envious of his vests and that became the basis for the vest.