What is Creative Flow: Your Daily Creative Practice Challenge | Works in Progress- Sweater Knit

[@kristin.1124]

I experience creative flow when I have my intuitive painting sessions. I really love it & am excited about the Outcome. And it absolutely helps me let go of control. And it's a lot of fun 😁

[@TextileIndie]

Did it take awhile (as in time to build competence) in painting, or did you experience flow in that medium from the beginning?

[@robinr6399]

Woohoo! Just finished a cardigan from from stash handspun! Yay ❤❤❤ Now on to a pair of lined mittens before it gets warm☺️

[@TextileIndie]

Oh Congratulations!🥳 That must feel amazing. A cardigan is a big project to finish and what a beautiful way to show off your handspun.

[@lisaromberg3113]

I am working on an inkle band project this am, something that I started in my mind in October 2023! In my optimism, I purchased the leather and hardware to make four bands and have been feeling guilty that they are stored away and have not been used yet. I meant to weave them as gifts for Christmas, and have been struggling with completing it for a few reasons. I have only woven two bands so I am not very practiced in this craft. I am also working on an old, second hand loom that I realized has a small crack on it so things are slightly out of line. When I warped my small loom in October, I told myself it was to practice so as to take the pressure off myself to complete a gift worthy band. These past days, i have given at least 15 minutes each day to working on it. In truth, the first day I felt so discouraged that i considered cutting it off the loom and giving up! But with each session of practice, i am getting better at it and feeling happier that I am learning and letting the imperfections speak to the handwoven nature of my piece. I’m not sure if it is creative flow, but yesterday my 15 minutes stretched out to 35 before i realized i had to stop because i had an appointment to get to! Thank you again Brittany for this challenge. I look forward to my early morning creative time every day!

[@TextileIndie]

That sounds like creative flow to me! Congratulations on pushing past that initial discomfort. We'll be learning about perfectionism in the next few days, so stay tuned😃

[@celiagraham5920]

Weaving is when I can really get into my creative flow 💝

[@TextileIndie]

I would love to hear more about your weaving, I know I just asked what type of weaving you do. But I'm also curious if you weave alone or with other and does that make a difference in your flow state?

[@samanthaherrington]

Today I’m working on plying a big (1000 yards 😅) handspun yarn commission. I’ve had the singles spun for a while now but have been dreading plying. It feels so much less engaging than spinning so I always avoid it BUT reframing my mindset to thinking of the plying process as flow state definitely helps! I got a lot done during this vid. 😁 As for what I’m dreaming up next - I’m going to be trying out tablet weaving once I wrap up some other projects and I’m so excited!

[@TextileIndie]

As far as joy and motivation are concerned, does it make a difference if you're working on a personal project or a project for your shop? {Emerald Ewe if y'all are interested. Samantha carries beautiful handspun yarn, fiber, wheels, etc.} Many fiber enthusiasts sell items as a business, side hustle, or to support their habit😉and I'm curious what others experience when combining business and creativity? I've made my hobby into my job, so I feel this need to balance.

[@samanthaherrington]

@@TextileIndie oh, for sure! I do love working on projects for the shop or commissions for customers, but I try to balance my time between that and personal projects. I always have a handful of experiments or random projects in the works so I can take a quick break from the "work" side, and just make something for the sake of creating. I think turning a passion and hobby into a business definitely has pros and cons, and you just have to be careful to not burn yourself out. I do frequent check ins with myself like "Hey, remember you do this because you love it. No need to stress." Easier said than done, as I'm sure you know. 😉 (PS thanks for the shoutout 🥰💚)

[@TextileIndie]

@@samanthaherrington Around here, we often say, "This is a fun job, and I love doing it!" Sometimes sarcastically - usually related to the technology side. I came dangerously close to real burnout this fall after I published a video every day for Vlogmas. Cheri and Bailey help create some margins and boundaries for the coming year. One that I'm most looking forward to is Monday studio days. I get to do whatever creative project I want, experiment, research, and create without pressure to "finish" or film my every move!

[@jt3990]

Continuing with darning... snowy outside so it felt right to make knits beautiful again! Flow state: knitting, writing (which is an aspect of my job), and the other day spinning - even though I'm just beginning to learn to spin on a wheel three hours flew by in what felt like 30 minutes.

[@TextileIndie]

Good for you! Three hours of spinning is an excellent accomplishment. It does take time for spinning to feel second nature, so that's amazing. We don't get much snow here, but it's been grey and rainy. Nothing says cozy like being inside knitting on a cold, wet day.

[@kristaatkeson6692]

I experience creative flow in my knitting. This happens when I enjoy the feel and color of the fabric or watching the pattern emerge as I’m knitting. I also think it has to do with your surroundings. I enjoy taking my knitting for a walk by the lake. I think all your senses are engaged as well. Another aspect to help with flow, for example in knitting is having the right tools, the right needles to fit the project. I experience flow in knitting stockinette, but also in two color stranded knitting. To be in flow my hands and brain seem to be in sync. I also try to remember to take deep breaths, like in yoga, and this helps me to relax and feel grounded in my knitting. I do have a question- which you may address in the month. I struggle with staying with my project or focused. I start to think of the emails, phone calls, and texts I need to do and I end up walking away from my knitting. Or I realize I’m scrolling through instagram. Are there strategies to keep focused on one’s making? I would like to be more productive and focused to accomplish more projects. Thank you for doing this series.

[@TextileIndie]

Thank you for such a thoughtful response. I love the connection with breath work and knitting. I'm going to remember that! I also love to take my knitting and sometimes even my spinning wheel to an outdoor space. My answer to your question - how to stay focused - is not very glamorous, but I often watch something on TV, rewatch a move, or catch up on my YT list while knitting. I don't have to look at my knitting very often, so it works well to pair it with screen time. When I crochet I have to look down more and I find crochet pairs well when the family is sitting around casually talking or playing a group game that doesn't involve my hands.

[@CerahHedrick]

Weaving has been an event /environment where I have felt like I have experienced a flow state.

[@TextileIndie]

Thank you for sharing! What type of weaving do you enjoy?

[@Tinas_Workshop]

Still working on the knit squares for the blanket.

[@TextileIndie]

Keep up the good work Tina!