Ruminations on Knitting

I started knitting by accident. It's not something I would have decided to do on my own, but two years ago, I was dragged into a yarn shop by a friend who had decided the craft was "punk rock," and we needed to learn. That friend gave up knitting 48 hours later in a fit of frustration. I never stopped. These days, I'm constantly surprised by how knitting has worked its way into every part of my life.

This sweater is helping me survive my first semester of graduate school. The body was knit during midterms - one row at a time - at moments when studying just made my brain hurt. It was a tangible measure of the progress I'd made each day (much appreciated at a time when my academic progress seemed very intangible). 

I think knitting has become my therapy. I carry a half finished project around like a security blanket, and inevitably turn to it in times of stress/anger/boredom. In the years since I was first dragged into that yarn shop, this craft has taken up increasing amounts of my time and disposable income. Most of my non-knitter friends don't see the value in that. 

But I'm pretty sure it's worth it. 

Beginning

Welcome to City Solstice.

A week ago I moved from my cramped one bedroom apartment to a studio. I know most sane New Yorkers wouldn't voluntarily move from a tiny apartment to an even tinier one, but for me, the decision was easy. I moved for this...

It doesn't look like much now, but this cluttered, weed filled, terrace is my garden. To this girl, who has been trying for years to garden on windowsills, fire escapes, and so many other places not designed for growing anything, this little terrace is a dream come true. With a little luck and a lot of advice from people more knowledgeable than myself, I hope to turn this little "farm" into a thriving source of beauty, joy, and most importantly, food.

This blog will chronicle my attempts to live sustainably, eat locally, and adopt a DIY lifestyle in one of the most urban environments in this world. On this little journey, there will be gardening, knitting, cooking, thrifting, and whatever else I find along the way.

Wish me luck.

-Solstice