People often describe life as a journey. Each journey may be unique, but we are all familiar with the various false starts, course corrections, and surprise moments of pursuing your personal life path. Knitting, also a process, often echoes life’s journey in its ability to humble the brave soul who attempts it.
My most recent cast-on, a scrap hat using KFO cotton-merino and soft silk mohair, took an unexpected turn. I wanted to make a 3 x 2 ribbed beanie-style hat. I made a gauge swatch, I cast on the right number of stitches, and I thought I was completely on track… all the way until the very end. But, in my attempts to maintain a ribbed look throughout the crown shaping, I inadvertently created a perfect circle that floats around my head, rather than conforming to it.
Needless to say, this was not what I was going for. Yet, as I looked at the unexpected shape, I did not feel despair. Instead, I felt challenged to re-think what was possible for what I made. Could it be a little basket instead? Could I turn it into a pouch of some sort? Could I add elastic somewhere to adjust the shape?
Looking at the “wrong” shape of my hat, I realized something that’s important to me – the art of re-invention.
As I’ve navigated the ups and downs of my personal life journey, my direction often goes from clear… to fuzzy… to clear again. Sometimes, like with this project, the path seemed clear at first, only to lead to something unexpected in the end. Although it can be challenging, I’m learning to embrace this reality as a part of creating a fulfilling and joyful life. After all, these moments can be inspiring to an open mind and creative spirit, with new possibilities birthed from the pressure of changing course.
This isn’t the first or last time I will re-invent a project (or myself). My beanie became a beret, and I’ll become something new too. Maybe even something unexpected!
P.S. The beret requires some finesse, like adding a band to keep it on my head. Stay tuned to see if it actually worked out! The good news? It can always become something else again!
Have you ever had to re-imagine a project?
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