Julie Cicora

Have I reached a stash acquisition beyond life expectancy?

I recently saw a social media post by a knitter who was on a six hour car ride and had finished her knitting project in the first hour. She posted a picture of herself staring out the car window with her hands in her lap. Her silent screams were palpable as she faced five hoursContinue reading “Have I reached a stash acquisition beyond life expectancy?”

Floats

I learned to knit using the English style (yarn held in the right hand and thrown around the needle). I taught myself the continental method (yarn held in the left hand and picked up by the right needle) because I heard that method was faster and it would give the muscles in my right handContinue reading “Floats”

The Horror of Blocking

I am now one of over 8000 knitters that have made the Ranunculus Sweater. I thought it would be a great layering piece not only over this long white blouse but maybe over a blue or black summer dress to protect sunburned shoulders from the evening breeze. I took this picture before I blocked theContinue reading “The Horror of Blocking”

I Know!

I thought I had memorized the four row pattern I was knitting. I had already made one ten inch block in the pattern and I decided to knit the second block without my cheat sheet. In my youth, I had memorized twenty-four row pattern repeats with multiple types of cables. How hard could it beContinue reading “I Know!”

Learning to Knit

There is a saying “meet people where they are.” As I grow older, I have found this concept to be helpful especially with children. My four year old granddaughter asked me to teach her to knit. I took some short fat needles, some hot pink yarn, and cast on the first row. I showed herContinue reading “Learning to Knit”

Confessions of a Bag Lady

I love bags. I also like starting knitting projects. Casting on something new is always a thrill and I go hard at it. Then I hit a point in the pattern that causes me to have to try something new or takes more concentration than I have in the moment and the project joins myContinue reading “Confessions of a Bag Lady”

Tearing out the Ranunculus Sweater

There is that moment when the voice in your head lets you know that something is wrong. If you ignore it, the voice gets louder and more incredulous. Why are you continuing to knit when you know the stitches aren’t adding up? I don’t know, I thought I could fix it. This sweater as ofContinue reading “Tearing out the Ranunculus Sweater”

The Importance of Finished Objects

I’m a sweater knitter. Very occasionally, I’ll knit a hat or a mitten or a fingerless glove but I mainly knit complex sweaters. I’m convinced this is why I have many works in progress (WIPs). I get to a section that is difficult and I tend to put the project in time out and moveContinue reading “The Importance of Finished Objects”

Contemplative Knitting Class

Contemplative Knitting Julie Cicora, author of “Contemplative Knitting” will help you transform an already calming and meditative activity into a spiritual practice. Whether you are an experienced knitter or are a beginner, this prayer practice will help you develop a “close-knit” relationship with God. Learn how your knitting experience can inform your spiritual life. ThereContinue reading “Contemplative Knitting Class”

Happy Easter!

Thank you for reading and praying! Thank you for journeying through Lent with Contemplative Knitting. Stay tuned to the blog for upcoming events and more posts. As an Easter Gift, I have written the pattern for the shawl. It has not been tested by anyone so knit at your own risk and if my directionsContinue reading “Happy Easter!”