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Are you creative? (hint: the answer is yes)
August 08, 2022 3 min read
Are you creative? Quick, tell me without thinking.
I hope you said yes, because everyone is creative. You may not think so, but you are. We all arrived pre-programmed for creativity, transforming pots and pans and wooden spoons into percussion instruments. We joyfully mixed all the colors of fingerpaint, pretended to be princesses and pirates, and created imaginary worlds for ourselves and our playmates.
As we grew, we were told to put away those childish things, and our natural creativity got buried under piles of grown up things, and we forgot how creative we are. I think that's why we’re drawn to knitting in the first place–it allows us to play with color and texture and make things that please us.
We’re hard on ourselves though. How many times have we thought “Knitting isn’t real art. Is it even creative?” I say yes, but let’s look at what what author Julia Cameron says in her blog post Creativity does not have to be “high art”
I love this idea of creative choice. I was chatting with Georgia Farrell Monday, as we planned the details of her class for this summer’s retreat, and she said the same thing:
I hope you said yes, because everyone is creative. You may not think so, but you are. We all arrived pre-programmed for creativity, transforming pots and pans and wooden spoons into percussion instruments. We joyfully mixed all the colors of fingerpaint, pretended to be princesses and pirates, and created imaginary worlds for ourselves and our playmates.
As we grew, we were told to put away those childish things, and our natural creativity got buried under piles of grown up things, and we forgot how creative we are. I think that's why we’re drawn to knitting in the first place–it allows us to play with color and texture and make things that please us.
We’re hard on ourselves though. How many times have we thought “Knitting isn’t real art. Is it even creative?” I say yes, but let’s look at what what author Julia Cameron says in her blog post Creativity does not have to be “high art”
Do something that simply delights you for no apparent reason. Give in to a little temptation, poke into a strange doorway, buy the weird scrap of silk in a color you never wear…
Painting your kitchen is creative. Putting bells on your kid’s school shoes is creative. Restructuring the office is creative. Getting the bad stuff tossed from the closet is creative. ..
It is self-expression, not self-scrutiny and “correction,” that brings healing and happiness. Bells on the shoelaces, sonnets in the schools. These are not so far apart. Writing a novel and doing something novel on a Saturday afternoon are both creative leaps—one large and one small, but each is grounded in the right to express creative choice.
I love this idea of creative choice. I was chatting with Georgia Farrell Monday, as we planned the details of her class for this summer’s retreat, and she said the same thing:
Every time you make a choice, you’re being creative.
I have written on the creativity of knitting many times, and I was so happy to hear her confirm my thoughts. Whether it’s what pattern to knit, what colors to use, or how to style it when it’s complete, these are creative choices in knitting.
Whether or not you think you're creative, it's important to remember that creativity is a muscle that must be developed. Creativity is first and foremost, a matter of attitude. It’s a curious, focused, playful, and open-minded take on life.
There are lots of ways to develop your creative muscle, which is what this summer’s retreat is all about.
We’ll do some warm ups to get our creative juices flowing, and then with Georgia Farrell’s instruction and guidance, we’ll go through her process–from inspiration to knitwear. Sounds like a big leap, but really, it’s just a series of fun baby steps.
This summer’s retreat is a whole weekend to relax and play in a colorful creative way. You’ll have guidance and beautiful materials at your disposal, so you can create a lovely moodboard, a palette, and more. You don’t have to draw if you don’t want to. You don’t even have to knit. You just have to come with a curious, open mind, and a willingness to let yourself be free to play.
The retreat is almost full, but we do have a few spots left. Join us for a fabulous weekend. Sign up here.
I hope to see you at the retreat, or whenever you want to come get creative at the shop. You are always welcome here.
Warmly,
Ellen