Meditation Markers

I love knitting, I picked it up over thirty years ago and it is an enduring love, but this is not about that. 

A few years ago I decided to lean to knit lace patterns, things with holes, but holes in the right places. It took a bit of practice but I'm okay at it now. But as well as learning to put holes in the right place I also learned another skill, as sometimes these patterns have an edging and you need to mark the start of the border to ensure it all lines up. Or there might be a critical point at which there is shaping and that exact stitch needs to be marked.  So I learned the skill of using stitch markers.

I've used many things over the years to be markers; some of them have even been official stitch markers, but more commonly have been; hair ties, elastic bands, a tied loop of contrasting yarn, tied loops of the same yarn I'm knitting in making it impossible to see until there's an easily moved stitch that I was about to knit into. I've used lengths of material that have come out and necessitated careful counting. I've used lumpy washers that have been too wide to use and been cumbersome.

Of course using an actual stitch marker is better. They'll be the right size for showing where the pattern needs shaping, or the location of the start of of a round in circular knitting. But a stitch marker can also be a thing of beauty. It can match your interests or personality. You can enjoy owning the correct tool for the job.

There are lots of kinds of markers. They come in different shapes, weights, colours and materials. If you like cats, there are cat ones. If you have a thing for bees there are ones in hexagon shapes, there are ones with bee pendants, or glass beads in bee colours. If you like carrots I'm fairly sure there will be carrot ones. I haven't checked before writing this, but you can be sure I will check on the carrot thing shortly.

Amongst the other things I love are pretty rocks. Little shiny, colourful, pretty rocks. Let's call them semi precious gemstones (or crystals) and admit that there are esoteric uses for crystals and the energy that is associated with them. I've taken some courses in the metaphysical properties of these over the years as a counterpoint to working in acute nursing. It's good to have hobbies.

One of the things that brings me joy in making my own stitch markers is using these beautiful natural stones. I buy the beads from reputable wholesalers, as unfortunately there are counterfeit everything. Then by intuition, understanding of their meaning, or sometimes just by colour I put together a collection of beads to make my own markers. Sometimes I use coated wire (tiger tail) and make a loop to go over the knitting needles. For these I use tiny wire cutters and crimpers to snip and secure. Other times I use a thick thread to attach beads to a metal ring, cutting the ends short so they don't get in the way of the project they'll be used for. No one wants a trailing edge weaving through a yarn-based project. I'm beginning to learn macramé to weave beads into a short, light-weight, snag-free marker.

I try to make combinations for the kind of energy that knitting might evoke, or the emotional state that a knitter is trying to achieve. Some of my favourite combinations are:

Chakra colours, with a Clear Quartz and a rainbow of coloured crystals including: Garnet, Aventurine, Rose Quartz, Amethyst, and Carnelian.

Citrine and Carnelian for creativity with their warm yellow and orange colours. 

For unwinding after a hectic day I might use Amethyst and Blue Lace Agate. 

If I feel that I want a grounded calmness then Smoky Quartz and Jade area great combination. 

To relax and find a hypnotic meditational state, Clear Quartz and Amethyst.

If I want to feel like my home is a protective cave I might use Hematite and Sodalite to reflect negativity away and soften the affect of other people's emotions.

I'll admit to using that last combination fairly often.

I know crystals for their energy aren't for everyone, but another type of markers I make are ones with birthstones. Garnet for January, Amethyst for February. I gift these ones to my crafting friends. Unfortunately for the April-born crafters my budget doesn't run to real Diamonds. Semi-precious if the keyword here. I don't have Sapphire ones for myself either. Lapis Lazuli is my September replacement. 'Aprils' you get Clear Quartz, or it's stunning cousin the Herkimer Diamond.

There's a fair collection of markers here now, and with still more beads in my organised boxes there are many more combinations I can make. As with all good hobbies I seem to have taken this one too far.

If you are still at the stage of using scraps and stray-items for markers I would recommend getting something that is more you. Crystals for energy would be my recommendation, but that's me. You should choose whatever reflects you, even if it's carrots.