Knitting as a Mindful Practice: Finding Tranquility in Each Stitch

Today, I want to dive into a topic that's very close to my heart – the art of knitting as a mindful practice. Over the years, I've come to realize that knitting is not just about creating beautiful pieces; it's a journey of self-discovery and a path to finding tranquility in each and every stitch.In a world that often feels chaotic and fast-paced, mindfulness has become a valuable practice for many of us. It's about being fully present in the moment, appreciating the now, and finding calm in the midst of life's storms. And knitting, with its repetitive and rhythmic nature, is a perfect conduit for mindfulness.

The Meditative Power of Knitting

When you pick up your needles and yarn, something magical happens. The world around you fades into the background, and your focus narrows to the task at hand. As you cast on and begin to work your stitches, you become acutely aware of the texture of the yarn, the click of the needles, and the gentle flow of the stitches. It's a sensory experience that grounds you in the present moment.

Breathing and Knitting in Harmony

One of the key elements of mindfulness is paying attention to your breath. Knitting naturally syncs with this practice. The ebb and flow of your breath align with the steady rhythm of your knitting, creating a harmonious dance between your body and your craft. It's a dance that calms the mind and soothes the soul.

Embracing Imperfection

Mindfulness encourages us to let go of perfectionism and embrace the imperfect beauty of the present moment. In knitting, this lesson is especially poignant. Every project comes with its quirks and imperfections, just like life itself. And yet, it's in those imperfections that we find uniqueness and character. Knitting teaches us to accept mistakes and see them as opportunities for growth.

Community and Connection

Knitting is not a solitary endeavor. The knitting community, whether in person or online, is a testament to the power of human connection. Sharing patterns, discussing techniques, and admiring each other's work fosters a sense of belonging and support. It's a reminder that we're all in this together, creating something beautiful one stitch at a time.

Knitting Beyond the Craft

As you knit mindfully, you might notice that the benefits extend far beyond your craft. The sense of tranquility and clarity you find in each stitch can permeate other aspects of your life. You become more patient, more resilient, and better equipped to handle the challenges that come your way. So, I encourage you to pick up your knitting needles and explore the world of mindful knitting. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, the journey is worth taking. Let each stitch be a reminder to be present, to breathe, and to find tranquility in the simple act of creation. In a world that's constantly rushing, let knitting be your sanctuary of stillness. As you knit, you'll not only create beautiful pieces but also weave a tapestry of mindfulness into your life, one stitch at a time.

Until next time, happy knitting and mindful living.

Rediscovering the Therapeutic Magic of Knitting: My Journey Back

The start of my knitted blanket

It's been quite a while since I last shared my knitting adventures with you all. Life has a funny way of throwing unexpected challenges our way, and for me, those challenges took me away from the craft I hold so dear. But today, I'm excited to tell you about my slow return to knitting and how profoundly therapeutic this journey has been.

Life threw a few curveballs my way in the past few years—career changes, family responsibilities, and personal struggles that demanded my full attention. Unfortunately, this meant that my beloved knitting needles were left untouched, gathering dust in a corner. However, it was during one particularly stressful moment that I found myself drawn back to those familiar needles and soft, colorful yarns. It was almost like knitting was calling out to me, offering a lifeline to tranquility amidst the chaos. And so, I picked up my long-neglected projects and began to knit again.

The first few stitches were awkward, like reacquainting myself with an old friend. But soon, the rhythmic click of the needles and the feel of the yarn sliding through my fingers brought back a sense of comfort that I had been missing. I realized that knitting, for me, had always been more than just a hobby. It's a form of meditation, a way to escape the whirlwind of thoughts and worries that often plague our minds. With every stitch, I found myself slowing down, breathing more deeply, and letting go of the stress that had accumulated over the years. One of the things I love most about knitting is its simplicity. It doesn't require fancy equipment or expensive materials. All you need is a pair of needles and some yarn. And in return, it offers a world of creativity and solace. As I continued to knit, I rediscovered the joy of creating something beautiful with my own hands. Whether it was a cozy scarf, a pair of warm mittens, a colorful blanket, or the pair of socks I’ve been working on for a year, each project became a labor of love and a testament to my resilience in the face of life's challenges.

All that’s left is blocking. Another meditative practice.

In the end, my return to knitting has been more than just a craft revival. It's been a return to myself, a way to recenter and find peace in the midst of life's storms. So, to all of you who have faced your own challenges and felt disconnected from the things you love, I encourage you to find your knitting, whatever it may be. Remember that it's never too late to pick up the threads of your passions and let them weave their magic into your life once more. And when you do, you might just find, as I did, that the therapeutic power of your chosen craft can mend not only yarn but also the fabric of your soul.

Until next time, happy knitting!

Seeking Joy During Heavy Times

It’s been a while since I wrote and that’s mostly because of all that’s been happening in my life, and now in the world.

2019 was a year filled with unexpected (some expected) and planned changes. At times it felt like it was too much happening too fast and I wasn’t ready. I felt like I was sitting in the backseat of a car driving fast down the highway, changing and swerving in and out of lanes, without a driver. It was a year that taught me to let go and trust my higher power, and as I look back now, I realized that 2019 wasn’t just a year of changes but a year of preparation.

It was preparing me for what was to come in 2020, the year of the pandemic. March 2020 had us all quarantined due to the COVID-19 virus that spread quickly throughout our country. Now we are at home, with ourselves and some with family, since schools are also closed, and depending heavily on technology to connect with one another. Spending 24 hours with yourself with little to no interaction with others, provides you time for lots of reflection, and can be uncomfortable and a real struggle for some. Being in isolation can weigh heavily on a person. There are others that are home with their families and are getting engaged, some are getting married, but there are some that realized even though they love the person they’re with, they don’t really like them. We are all going through something during these times, and one thing I know for sure is that this pandemic has provided space for people to show their true selves. They are no longer able to wear the mask (not N95) they used to wear and continue pretending. We are experiencing people in their raw form. Seeing all for who they are.

The worst part of 2020 is the countless videos of innocent black people being killed by police. Videos of protesters, protesting peacefully, being pepper sprayed, shoved and hit by police. A time when people in the black community are dying from this virus due to lack of healthcare resources available to the community, and being murdered by police, it’s all so much that I felt numb and paralyzed with grief and sadness. It brought back the many times in which I experienced racism through my life, the comments that are made, being followed in stores, my bags being search because I looked “suspicious,” them finding nothing and being angry that I didn’t prove them right, and so much more. Things that I thought I got over, all cam back because the reality of it is I never got over it. How can I get over it when I’m still being discriminated against and labeled in the workplace? Enough is enough and I’m praying for Peaceful change, [police reform and true equality.

Today a friend reminded me that I need to disconnect and start seeking joy throughout the day. I remembered that I love colorful flowers, and I need to get more flowers for the house. I also started to knit and crochet again. The crafts bring me peace, it is a form of meditation for me and I am starting to find my center again through prayer. I’m also starting to write on my blog again, even if no one reads it. This is my therapy during these times. I hope you are taking time to seek joy throughout your day.

Always believe that something wonderful is going to happen

The Richest Black Girl in America in 1913

This is such an incredible story, I had to share it!

By Selena Hill on Black Enterprise

MEET SARAH RECTOR, THE 11-YEAR-OLD WHO BECAME THE RICHEST BLACK GIRL IN AMERICA IN 1913

Born as the daughter of freedmen in 1902, Sarah Rector rose from humble beginnings to reportedly become the wealthiest black girl in the nation at the age of 11.

Rector and her family where African American members of the Muscogee Creek Nation who lived in a modest cabin in the predominantly black town of Taft, Oklahoma, which, at the time, was considered Indian Territory. Following the Civil War, Rector’s parents, who were formerly enslaved by Creek Tribe members, were entitled to land allotments under the Dawes Allotment Act of 1887. As a result, hundreds of black children, or “Creek Freedmen minors,” were each granted 160 acres of land as Indian Territory integrated with Oklahoma Territory to form the State of Oklahoma in 1907. While lands granted to former slaves were usually rocky and infertile, Rector’s allotment from the Creek Indian Nation was located in the middle of the Glenn Pool oil field and was initially valued at $556.50. Strapped for cash, Rector’s father leased his daughter’s parcel to a major oil company in February 1911 to help him pay the $30 annual property tax. Two years later, Rector’s fortune took a major turn when independent oil driller B.B. Jones produced a “gusher” on her land that brought in 2,500 barrels or 105,000 gallons per day. According to Tonya Bolden, author of Searching for Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America (Harry N. Abrams; $21.95), Rector began earning more than $300 a day in 1913. That equates to $7,000 – $8,000 today. She even generated $11,567 in October 1913.

Rector’s notoriety ballooned just as quickly as her wealth. In September 1913, The Kansas City Starlocal newspaper published the headline, “Millions to a Negro Girl – Sarah Rector, 10-Year Old, Has Income of $300 A Day From Oil,” reports Face 2 Face Africa. In January 1914, the newspaper wrote, “Oil Made Pickaninny Rich – Oklahoma Girl With $15,000 A Month gets Many Proposals – Four White Men in Germany Want to Marry the Negro Child That They Might Share Her Fortune.” Meanwhile, the Savannah Tribune wrote, “Oil Well Produces Neat Income – Negro Girl’s $112,000 A Year”. Another newspaper dubbed her “the richest negro in the world.” Her fame became widespread and she received numerous requests for loans, money gifts, and four marriage proposals.

At the time, a law required Native Americans, black adults, and children who were citizens of Indian Territory with significant property and money were to be assigned “well-respected” white guardians. As a result, Rector’s guardianship switched from her parents to a white man named T.J. Porter. Concerned with her wellbeing and her white financial guardian, early NAACP leaders fought to protect her and her fortune. According to a report from BlackPast.org:

In 1914 The Chicago Defender published an article claiming that her estate was being mismanaged by grafters and her “ignorant” parents, and that she was uneducated, dressed in rags, and lived in an unsanitary shanty. National African American leaders such as Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois became concerned about her welfare. None of the allegations were true. Rector and her siblings went to school in Taft, an all-black town closer than Twine, they lived in a modern five-room cottage, and they owned an automobile.  That same year, Rector enrolled in the Children’s House, a boarding school for teenagers at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.

By the time she turned 18, Rector was worth an estimated $1 million, or about $11 million today. She also owned stocks and bonds, a boarding house, a bakery and restaurant in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and 2,000 acres of land. She eventually left Tuskegee with her family and moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where she bought a grand home that still stands today. “There, the Rectors eventually moved into a home that was a far cry from that weather-whipped two-room cabin in which Sarah began life. This home-place was a stately stone house. It became known as the Rector Mansion,” Bolden told the New York Amsterdam News.

In 1922, she married Kenneth Campbell, the second African American to own an auto dealership. The couple had three sons and were recognized as local royalty, driving expensive cars and entertaining elites like Joe Louis, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie at their home. They divorced in 1930 and Rector remarried in 1934.

Rector’s lost most of her wealth during The Great Depression. When she died at age 65 on July 22, 1967, she only had some working oil wells and real estate holdings.

Black History is Every Day

Even though black history is celebrated or I should say acknowledge for only one month out of the year, I want us to remember that black history is part of American history and should be celebrated throughout the year.

This year I have decided to highlight all the African-American women that have made a big impact in America. Some are women we are familiar with, and others are women that you might have never heard of. From activists to inventors, every day a woman will be highlighted along with their accomplishments. The fact that I am able to highlight about 30 women and even more, says a lot.

To learn more, check out my Instagram or Facebook page @solieknits.

Does Yarn Spark Joy?

Yes! Yes it does! If you love to knit and crochet, you probably love yarn as much as I do. From wool to silk (even some acrylic), self striping to glitter. If it’s yarn and feels nice I’m sold! Have you ever looked at your yarn stash and added up the total value of your yarn? No? That’s okay because I haven’t either. Why? Yarn, like diamonds, are priceless! Maybe it’s just me that thinks this way, but I don’t feel guilty about the amount of yarn I buy and the money I spent on it. When dating, there are two things a man is not to ask me (1) why do I have so much yarn and (2) how much do I spend on yarn. My answer is always “It’s none of your business.” If I get asked that a second time, it’s probably not going to work. Maybe it’s a bit extreme but I don’t want to be judged on my yarn stash. Oh my! Could I be a yarnaholic?

​This past week I have been watching the show Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix. I absolutely love this show! Her spirit, passion and approach to organization is amazing! I have learned at least one tip from every episode I’ve watched so far. None of the families on the show was madly in love with yarn like I am, so I have not seen her help anyone organize their yarn stash. One thing she says on the show is to hold each item and feel if it sparks joy within. If it sparks joy, you keep it. If it doesn’t you donate or throw it away. Well, every piece of yarn sparks joy in me. Therefore, nothing was given away. However, I did get rid of a lot of clothes and shoes. Which was wonderful because I have more space for yarn!  

How do you define a yarnaholic? Are you one?

It's the Most Wonderful Time of The Year

Got this amazing wreath from Target! It was an awesomely unexpected find.

 By far Christmas is my favorite holiday! It has all of my three favorite things: Family, Food, and Fun! It’s also the time of year where I can obsess over glitter and no one judges me for it. I am in glitter heaven this time of year and I think I stay on a glitter ‘high” from November until after the New Year. This time of year is filled with so much love and giving hearts, and the cold just brings out the romance in everyone. It’s also the time of year where we get to reflect on all that we have accomplished in 2018 and what we look forward to accomplishing in 2019.

My Christmas gift from my dear friend Carmen a.k.a. tapgurl that I’ll use often in 2019.

As I sit in the living room watching the flickers and sparks from the fireplace, I think about writing down some New Year’s resolutions. 10 minutes later, my paper is blank and I come up with nothing. Not because I can’t find anything that I want to work on in 2019, but because I realize that self-improvement for me is every day. To think of all that I want to change or do differently can easily bring me down a dark path that makes me think about all that I should've, would’ve, could’ve and didn’t. Has that ever happened to you? Well, to avoid going down that dark road, I decided to make a list of all that I have accomplished along with moments that have brought me genuine joy and love this year. Let me tell you, it was a pretty amazing year! I’ve given a lot, I’ve loved hard and learned a ton. So I decided to give my self challenges for the next year. Something that will bring me out of my comfort zone, make me vulnerable, teach me more lessons, and push me one step further to the women I am becoming. My challenge for 2019 is to open my heart to receive love, give love and be love. What are you challenging yourself with for 2019?