Layers of Shale Socks

These socks were knit last summer 2009 on size 7 double pointed needles holding together 2 separate yarns. #1 yarn was SRK On Your Toes 4ply sock yarn with aloe vera 75% superwash wool and 25% Nylon  AND Supersocke 100 which is also 75% wool and 25% nylon and also had aloe vera in it. This wool is machine washable and dryable so very practical.  I used a Free Knitting Pattern I got on Lionsbrand.com called "Boot Socks". They were very quick and easy to make and very cozy and comfy to wear. I plan on using them for skating and walking the dogs this winter or keeping my feet warm when I do early morning meditation.  They remind me of layers of shale sedimentary rock which formed rivers amongst the granite here on Cape Ann. They were part of an ancient volcano coming from deep within the earth crust. You see these rock formations along rocks outcroppings at beaches near my home and I am inspired by the energies of the shale. Multi-layered with various colorings to the different layers and then weathered by thousands and thousands of years of ocean water crashing on it and wearing it down. Sort of a metaphor for what life does to us sometimes! Anyway my hope is that when wearing them, I will feel the strength from deep within the earth and its grounding and settling vibrations.

Granite Boulder Meditation Shawl

This was a recent project made with some incredible recycled sari yarn I bought on ebay last summer. I knit it in a simple garter stitch on size 35 wooden needles I bought at Coveted yarn. It was quick, fun, and easy. I love the warmth of using it for meditation. It reminds me of the strength of granite boulders and rocks that litter the ocean shore near where I live. When I am wrapped in it, I feel I have the strength of a granite mountain or boulder.

28 Bead Rudraksha Wrist Bracelet - Prayer Bead Mala

Rudraksha Wrist Mala
Prayer Bead Bracelet with Heart Clasp
This is an example of the most popular Rudraksha prayer beads I make and sell. I have been making these for about 20 years. They can be worn around the wrist but then taken off and they make a circle in which to say your mantras or prayers. The bead that hangs down is where you stop the prayers and remember your teacher. The bracelet become imbued with Auspicious Energy from your prayers and many yogis and other worldwide believe that the energy is protective and healing. I have sold these via Amazon.com to people in every country on every continent. I make them on silver or gold but I believe that silver is currently the most popular but in the 1990's I think gold was the 1st choice . I use a method called  "Indian Wrapped" and I match them with meticulous precision. I use the finest quality rudraksha beads available and highest attention to detail. Pearl accent and sterling silver heart toggle clasp. Repeating your prayer or mantra on the Rudraksha carries the vibrations of the devine. It calms the busy mind and by repeating your prayers in this way, you replace unncessary thoughts with the power of your prayer. This creats a strong inner prana that is beyond your body, your four senses, your psychic instruments, ego, and thoughts. The Rudraksha Bead is from a tree growing in Nepal, Tibet, India, Indonesia, Malasia, and Australia. The outside of the fruit is an iridescent blue. Spiritual Seekers, Richis, Yogis, and Everyday people have honored and worn the Rudraksha since time immemorial because of the special energies of this subtly vibrational bead. It is said that it strengthens the immune system, lowers blood pressure, protects the wearer, attracts positive spiritual vibrations, and holds the energy of a mantra that is repeated upon this bead. The Matrika of spiritual energy of the prayer or mantra is infused into the subtle spiritual layers of a person who uses it. The Sterling Silver wraps around each sacred bead increase the vibrational energy and align the wearer on all levels, spiritual, mental, and physical.

5mm Rudraksha Prayer Beads

I have been making these prayer beads since the mid-1980's. The are made out of Rudraksha Seeds which grown in India, Nepal, and Indonesia. These particular beads are from Nepal. They are considered sacred by the Yogis in India and other places and are greatly revered. many wear them to help align the subtle meditative energies of the body as they hold the "shakti" or energy of meditation and are therefore very purifying and healing. There is a pearl accent on these beads which is a little piece of the ocean so any prayers or mantras that are said on this mala or necklace are repeated by the oceanic vibration of the pearl. These are done in what is known as Indian Wrap on Sterling Silver. It is a method whereby each seed or bead is individually wrapped and chain linked in silver. In very old Scriptures called the Shiva Puranas which are thousands of years old and written in sanscrit mention the positive and constructive qualities of Rudraksha and it is said that one prayer or mantra said on a Rudraksha Bead is worth 10 million prayers said without it. I learned to make these beads in a meditation ashram I used to go to for many years and it was my selfless service. I still make them and sell them on Amazon.com. I also repair most types of malas, prayer beads, and rosaries. I also make the Catholic Rosary, Buddhist Rosaries, Vedic Astrological 9 planet necklaces and bracelets. This is a picture of a Neck Mala worn around the neck but I also make wrist mala bracelets which are also very popular  and I sell the most of them on Amazon.com. I have taught a few people to do this work and most notably my daughter Avery who has become a jeweler and jewelry artist. Sometimes she helps me with my prayer bead work now if I get a lot of orders.

Red Feather and Fan Scarf to match Raspberry Beret

Red Feather and Fan Scarf
to match Raspberry Beret
I made this scarf with the Feather & Fan lace pattern to match the Raspberry Beret I made in another project. I actually improvised the stitches using Lionsbrand Cranberry Wool-Ease (acryilic & wool so it is washable and dryerable) worsted weight available on www.lionsbrand.com using 2 skeins.



Cast on to # 6 needles 52 stitches

Border is 8 rows Garter Stitch


Feather & Fan

Row1: (RS) K2, K20, P1, K2, YO, K2tog, K2, P1, K20

Row2: K2, P18, K1, P6, K1, P18, K2

Row3: K2, K2 tog 3X, YO K1 6X, K2tog 3X, P1, K2, K2tog, YO, K2, P1, K2tog 3X, YO K1 6X, K2 tog 3X, K2

Row 4: K21, P6, K21

Garter Stitch 8 rows and then repeat Feather and Fan Pattern (alternating Garter and Feather & Fan)

until desired length. End with 8 rows of Garter Stitch.

Raspberry Beret

Raspberry Beret
A Kathleen Valentine Pattern available for Free
from "Knit Your Tail Off" and library.ravelry.com

This was a fun project and the finished hat is extremely comfortable, cozy, and flattering.

I used 1 skein of Lionbrand's Cranberry WOOL-EASE worsted weight available at www.lionsbrand.com It is a soft blend of acrilic and wool so it is machine washable. For needles, I used a 16" size 2 circular needle, a #6 16" circular and #6 double pointed needles

Wave Scarf Shawl

Wave Scarf Shawl




Lacey Scarfy Shawl Piece done in Louise Harding Yarn. The Yarn is called "Grace" and it is 50% silk and 50% wool. It is very soft. I am trying to learn a few more lace stitches and this was pulled together using an improvised pattern. Inspired by ocean waves coming ashore.

 cast on 66 stiches with size 10 needles

Lace Rib:

Row 1 (RS) K1, *YO, K2tog, P1, K1; rep from *

Row 2 P1, *YO, P2 tog, K1, P1; rep from *
Repeat this pattern 5 times

Feather and Fan Wave Pattern:

Row 1 (RS) K28, P1, K2, YO, K2tog, K2, P1, K28

Row 2 K10, P18, K1, P6, K1, P18, K10

Row 3 K10, K2tog 3X, YO,K1 6X, K2tog 3X, P1,K2, K2tog, YO, K1, K2tog 3X, YO, K1 6X, K2tog 3X, K10

Row 4 K28,P1, K6, P1, K28

Knit 10 rows Garter Stitch
Each row a straight row of knitting

Repeat the Lace Rib, Feather and Fan Wave Pattern, and Garter Stitch Patter until reaching desired length of scarf. This creates a beautiful lacey ripple effect like wearing a scarf of ocean currents.