I have been reading about the knitting blahs… the loss of the knitting mojo. I, myself, have felt the non-mojoesque like feelings as of late. I have whined… I have *sigh* ed… and now… I am enamoured. I knit a square. Mind you not just any square… a log cabin square from the Mason Dixon Book.

There is something so soothing about the patterns in the book. I am doing a log cabin baby blanket for a friend who is due any minute. Here it is:
I am using cotton fleece by Brown Sheep. It is soooo loveley. Lolly just finished a tank in cotton fleece and inspired me to run over to my LYS and pick some up. I love the way the back looks so neat… not a seam to be found! I like the simplicity of this. It allows me to work out some gauge issues that I have, yet it allows me to watch tv while doing so. Ann and Kay have really brought some things to light for me. I have also been feeling my mojo may lie in the principles of this book:
The patterns are so inspired. I am going to try my hand at some natural dyeing for the patterns in this book. I am so needing to further combine my art with my knitting. That is why I love color so much.?

Once upon a time, Mama-E dreamed of being an artist. I studied art pretty seriously through high school I even went to art school afterwards. I lost my mojo at school.. and took an extended hiatus in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Nope, the mojo was not there. I went back east and kicked around the tri-state area... working in or on the fringe of the art world. I have many, really talented friends that are still working actively in the arts. I considered myself an artist once..and then… the thing with the mojo happened. I abandoned the search and moved to Charm City. (That link is for my soapy friend Laura…go check her out and ask her why!) Now, Charm City has given me so much. For a city that I chose by throwing a virtual dart at a map, I am in love with her. I have found a career that I care about and can be passionate about (depending on my stress level). I have my D and my COWBOY. Enough said. I have a city that is just southern enough for my New York/New Jersey sensibilities ( you can take the girl outta Jersey…but …. ). I have been home for 10 years and think I may be finding the mojo. I found the mojo in the knitting. The act and craft of taking a linear piece of spun fiber and making into a 3 dimensional object (I was a sculptor at heart in school). Now, I throw color into the picture. The act of dyeing and the art of color theory combined with the sculpture of the garment/object have been just what I have been searching for. How do I describe the complete joy I have for this without sounding as if I am a complete whack? Well… I know I am a whack. Enough said. I also find that the act of knitting and spinning have drawn me closer to this feeling of something that has existed since the first person in history created and donned a loincloth or something. Well, maybe not the loincloth. I hope you know what I am trying to get at. It is a connection to history. (OK, I can’t help myself.. HERSTORY). It is a loving connection to my Grammy Irene. Who is now gone but lives in the act of my knitting. It is a smooth connection to my mother that exists even when our interactions aren’t so smooth. It is the common thread (I couldn’t resist!) that ties me (still, couldn’t resist!) to my new friends the sucky knitters. Or Marie…. or Julia….or Ginga So friends, that is why I dye yarn and sell it. I am coming to realize that it is my mojo. It is a constant form of art that is expressed and shared. I get such joy from your emails and your kind words on how much you like it. I love your suggestions for colorways…. I love the challenge of trying to bring your vision to fruition. I also get a kick (still can’t help myself!) that you are wearing my art on your feet. So again, thank you to my village. I know that I am a sap… just roll with it. It’s not every day when a girl gets to find her MOJO again!