Fee-Fi(ber)-F.O. Friday … and an Earth Day Reflection

I have several projects on the hooks/needles right now; a few too many for comfort, if truth be told. So not only am I really pleased to be able to put one in the finished column, I’m thrilled with my first knit project utilizing cables. I present my Giant Cabley Stole:

 

At 18 inches wide x 37 inches in length, it is a little bigger than the original. I’m not too surprised, since I added a strand of Patons Décor to the Berroco Peruvia when I wasn’t getting gauge during swatching. I really love the color, and those awesome cables, and the toggle buttons in an olive-y green that add just a little more color and pop. I can’t wait to wear it this fall (which may never arrive, given the amount of time spring is taking to get here).  

Today is also Earth Day. As I reflect on how I treat the earth, I am amazed at my own transformation in the last five years. While I certainly can still do better in the consumption department (at least according to my food bill each week), my days of unconsciously buying are so over. Bottled water? Uh-uh. Plastic bags? Almost never. Recycling and composting? Absolutely – I am so fortunate to live in an area where curbside yard waste/composting is encouraged. In fact, I’ve gotten my non-recycling trash down to about one medium trash bag per week, and I definitely recycle and compost more than I put in a landfill. Public transportation (or walking) over driving? Oh yeah. Reuse/upcycle? Yes … but can still do better. Hey, it’s all a work in progress.

There is something else that is bugging me on this Earth Day. Rachel Carson is widely credited with jumpstarting the environmental movement with the publishing of her book Silent Spring in 1962. Given what I know of her, I find her to be incredibly courageous and a woman ahead of her time.

Ironically, I came upon this essay yesterday, discussing whether or not women have really fulfilled their leadership potential in the 21^st century. If one looks at the female presence at the highest levels of academia, business, law and politics as a measuring stick – that answer is a resounding no. While the existing power structures and modes of operating within those structures were definitely set by men, women can be their own worst enemies. A woman willing to speak out and seek cooperation instead of competition will be silenced – by both men and women. Demanding true partnership and equality at home is still a very dicey deal (to wit: the MLB (Major League Baseball) is finally providing paternity leave to its players – for a grand total of 72 hours! Let’s hope Mom didn’t give birth via cesarean section.)

I don’t necessarily want world domination through craft (but, hey, if you like my designs and work, it’s a plus for you and definitely spread the word!), but I do want global cooperation. Humans are hardwired for it. I hope this Earth Day gets everyone to shift their competitive drive into neutral and set their cooperation speed into overdrive. Respect the earth and your fellow citizens, ok?

Oh, and let’s get crafty out there, folks! And since it's Friday, check out Andrea's blog to see what other crafty endeavors everyone is up to.

This Week? Knitting and Crochet Time?!!! (2KCBWDAY7)

I have barely gotten any crafting done this week – I’ve been writing up a storm, and reading everyone else’s writing storms! No complaints, since I do love to blog. However, I’ll look forward to getting back to more crafty time.

I can’t say I really have a set crafting time, but it’s usually dictated by whether or not I want (or need) to get something completed. Of course, I enjoy crafting in the evening, especially if I'm watching mindless, guilty-indulgence television. If I do craft in front of the television, it’s a safe bet that George Bailey, the devil wonder kitty, will be around. He’s good about not getting into the yarn, but bad about always wanting to be in my lap.


Crafting on the Paris metro, anyone?

I absolutely will craft on public transportation. I take a lot of it (am committed to public transportation, actually), so trains and planes provide a great time to get some hard-core crafting completed. Travel schedule delays are always another great time to craft – and the crafting has the added benefit of calming what might be an otherwise tense situation. I always have reading and crafting material with me whenever I travel.  

I have also used my time on public transportation to strike up conversations with those who I think might be wearing hand crafted articles. It's always turned into a good conversation.

Oddly enough, I have had students craft in class, and it has done wonders for their respective concentration. While texting and other activities can detract from one’s ability to focus, knitting and crocheting can have the completely opposite effect. Go figure.

I want to thank Eskimimi for putting together this second annual Knitting and Blogging Week. What a whirlwind! I also want to thank every reader that stopped by my blog, and especially those who took the time to provide comments. I have attempted to get to your blogs, too, but know I’ll still be reading long into next week. Please let me know any final thoughts to cap this awesome crafty blog week, and may I see you around these parts again. Happy crafting and happy blogging.