The Creative Process

Earlier this month I gave those subscription meal boxes a try.  I must say that it was both convenient and extremely satisfying to have an answer for the universal question asked by nearly all men the world over: What's for dinner? 

I didn't have to figure out a menu, choose side dishes, or go to the grocery store.  All I had to do was open the box and cook what was in it. No thinking, no planning, no shopping.  Just cooking.  After 5 weeks on and off, I cancelled the subscription, because the truth is, I missed the planning and shopping.  I'm one of those weird ones who actually enjoys the entire process.  I even kind of enjoy the grocery store.  For me, those activities are all part of the creative process that I call Cooking. 

Obviously, there are lots of people who disagree.  They love to cook, but the rest, maybe not so much.  Theirs is a different creative experience that begins with ingredients and ends with a meal.  That is totally valid and absolutely creative.  It's just different from mine.  Isn't it wonderful that we can each decide where the creative process begins and ends for us. 

The same goes for knitting.  I love the process of selecting yarns, choosing colors, and knitting the project.  Selecting yarn for your project and a project for your yarn is a very creative process - as is the knitting.  I mean, you're turning yarn into garments with your own two hands.  That's the very definition of creation and creativity!  Professional designers, on the other hand, see the creative process as complete when they've done a swatch and a sketch and worked the numbers.  Spinners, hand-dyers, and others who create our materials have a different perspective yet on where the creative process begins and ends.  I welcome an expansive definition of creativity that asks not, are you creative, but rather how are you creative? 

Our Stash Series classes are a terrific way to stretch your creativity muscles a little bit.  You're going to start with your yarn - yarn you already have - and think creatively about what you might like it to be.  In this weekend's class, you'll be working with yarn that could be a sweater. In fact, it probably wants to be a sweater - but what kind?  And what do you want?  We'll look at the yarn, and the possibilities, and get our creative juices flowing and figure it all out.  You can be as creative, or safe, as you like.  Choose from an existing pattern, or go off road and design your own.  The Custom Fit program will take care of the pesky stitch count and measurement details!  You'll leave with a pattern that's a perfect fit for you and your yarn!

I look forward to seeing you in the Stash Series, or just in the shop and around the table.  You are always welcome here.

 ~Ellen

Back to 15 May 2018 Newsletter