Purple

I have finally finished something that has been on my needles since early spring. It was the first project I knitted out of a 'modern' knitting book. Before this I really didn't know there were such things as cool patterns! I just knew the old fashioned books I got from my grandma. There's so much I want to knit now, I don't know where to start! I hope I'll be able to make my own patterns one day. The trouble with knitting as opposed to sewing is that it's much harder to correct a mistake. It takes a lot more time because you have to start all over, instead of just taking out a seam. This short vest took me quite a long time, not because of the mistakes, but due to the size of the stitches. Look at how small they are! It seemed there was just no end to it.



Although it looks quite simple, I learned a few new techniques while making this, such as making a neat little edge. I made some changes to the pattern though; you're supposed to knit small shiny beads into it, but I'm not really fond of glitter. I also used a button for the closing, instead of a ribbon. I'm not sure about it though, I think the button is a bit boring. Maybe I should use a different button, add a button, or use a ribbon after all... Hmm.

Exceptions

When I started this challenge, I didn't list any specific rules. The idea was not to buy any kind of clothing, at least nothing I could also make myself. But where to draw the line? I decided not to include underwear and socks, but I have to make another exception: jeans. I have only one pair of jeans at the moment. Making a pair myself is not impossible, but I'm afraid the outcome would not be something I would actually wear. I'm quite specific when it comes to jeans, as most people are. The cut of the legs, the size of the pockets, the way it closes around your hips, and yes, the way your butt looks in it is all very important. I could never make something that would meet all these criteria. This is why I decided to allow myself one more pair of jeans!

As for the shoe department: I reckoned I have enough shoes to match various occasions. My boots however are so worn out that I can't wear them when it rains; my socks are soaked within three steps (as you can see from the picture...) I wanted to replace them a few moths ago, but apparently there's something like boot-season, and early summer is not it. I do need boots to go with skirts and for more formal occasions, so this will be exception nr. 2.

One pair of boots, one pair of jeans... What a luxury after these two months without shopping ;)

First new item

It has been over a month since I decided not to buy any clothes for a year. So far it has been going well. I have not been tempted at all, just been keeping my eye out for inspirational designs and fabrics. It's comparable to my decision to become a vegetarian (pescetarian, to be precise) six months ago. Making that decision once, takes away many decisions in different situations. Instead of having to make that choice every time you eat - meat or no meat -, you just decide once and that's it. Although I have had some cravings for meat, it's actually quite easy. The same goes for not buying clothes: it's just not an option anymore, so there's no sense in flipping through the H&M catalogue, or paying attention to sales. This one decision takes away all those "shall I buy it or not" decisions, and thus makes life a bit simpler.

Since I don't really need any sort of garment yet, I wanted to make a formal (but cute) purse which I can take to network meetings and other 'serious occasions'. I'm really happy with the colour combination. It's not very complicated, but I tried not to just throw it together like I usually do. And let me tell you a secret: there's a wooden skewer sewn into it somewhere...

A new challenge

Inspiration! It just keeps coming. I have been following this blog for some time now. Renske decided to stow away her entire wardrobe, keep a few basics, and make her own clothes from now on. Below is a skirt she made. She is obviously an excellent seamstress, which must have made this decision not too hard on her.



As I was cleaning out my wardrobe last week and brought a whole 'pink bag' to the second-hand store, I discovered clothes I have barely worn since I bought them. This never used to happen to me when I was a student and had little money to spend on clothes! Being poor is a good thing regarding clothes: you only buy something when you really really want it. When I started earning money two years ago, this gradually changed. A few months ago I bought a sweater, and when I came home I realized I had no idea what it had cost me. I thought this to be quite shocking, and a clear sign of the change in my spending behaviour. Not a change for the better, I think. So, having this in mind and then reading about Renske's project made me want to do something about it.

Here's my challenge: I won't stow away everything I have at the moment, for I had just decided I should wear them more often. But from now on, I will not buy any clothes for at least a year. Any kind of clothing I lack, I just have to make myself. Too bad one of my favourite jeans just tore at the knee... But I have made clothes before, and on top of that I love to knit, so this should not be too big a problem. It's the no-shopping that will probably be the hardest part :).

Something Big

Okay, this is only my third post and I'm already going to break the rules I set out. I will write about something big this time. The reason being that I found my first 'hero'. I never had one before, but now I found one totally by coincidence.

Her name is Heather. She's the same age as I am and I never met her, but I stayed at her mom's house in Bloomingdale, NY. Why is she my hero? There are several reasons, but here's a few: 1) she built her own house when she was 17. A real wooden, solid house, not just a play house. She started saving money when she was 14, and after three years she had enough money to buy all the building materials. 2) She fixes and restores old vans all by herself. She wanted to know how to and just found people who could teach her. From the metalworks to the interior design, everything. 3) She hiked many trails for many months, on her own. She hiked the Appalachian Trail by herself, which takes about six months. She also rode her bike from one ocean to the other, all across the USA.



But the most amazing and inspiring thing is that she learned all of this is by not going to school. Her mother Wendy started home-scholing her after the fourth grade, because she was a fast learner and bored at school. She gave Heather the opportunity to learn about whatever she was interested in. After a few years of moving through the country in a van, they settled and built a homestead on several acres of land. They became organic farmers and provided for lots of people. So not only does Heather know how to build a house, restore a van and survive in the wilderness, she also knows how to grow your own food. And she's only 26!

Which makes me think about what skills I learned by going to school all those years. Almost nothing that matters! At least nothing that contributes to a self-sustaining life, being able to fend for yourself. So if Heather is to be an example for me, something has to change in my way of living. Not just something small, but something big. How this will turn out I do not yet know. But I'm excited to start working it out!