Comments on: Unknotting 101

By: Kemal Ispirli

Kemal Ispirli — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:28:12 +0000

I enjoyed this immensely. Thanks.

By: Leslie Wolfe-Cundiff

Leslie Wolfe-Cundiff — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:03:10 +0000

Laurie — Thanks for this wonderful analogy. So many times we tense ourselves up, readying for the next crisis, when what we need is to relax and literally go with the flow of the event or problem — in this case, the yarn. Even more powerful is the realization that the flow was electrified – energized – by the hands of others. Friends plus patience — what a mix!

By: Kerrie Lee

Kerrie Lee — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:40:52 +0000

Thank you for sharing this story, Laurie. Your beautiful observations about unknotting have moved me both creatively and spiritually. Kerrie Lee’s last blog post..Smart Pricing and Free Download

By: Maura Conlon

Maura Conlon — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:19:18 +0000

Sounds like the luxury of going back in time — when we can reflect, appreciate, sit on the front porch, watch life go by. Not once, but time and again. And in the passing to hear the preciousness of people’s stories. That is a treat in itself. Spinning or saving or un-knotting the yarn, oh, such a metaphor for sending the clock back in the OTHER direction. Yum, yum!!! You have encountered a sacred technology.

Lovely, Laurie.

By: Laurie Foley

Laurie Foley — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 03:43:40 +0000

@Shannon – Thanks so much for the info about Elizabeth Seward’s article. I happily found part of it here: http://tyinguplooseends.blogspot.com/2008/05/tangles-happen.html I will keep an eye out for Zen and the Art of Knitting, too – it sounds like something I would enjoy. Very grateful for you being here.

Laurie Foley’s last blog post..Unknotting 101

By: Shannon

Shannon — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 03:27:33 +0000

Laurie,
Thank you for the beautiful & wise post…I love the openings you found through opening yourself to partnership in the unknotting process…

Your post reminds me of an article on unknotting that I loved by Elizabeth Seward in the summer 2008 issue of Living Crafts magazine called “Tangles Happen.” I had to go re-read it after reading your post.
In it, she says the first step to untangle a knot is to believe you can solve it. And she says “Untangling yarn requires ‘listening’ to the yarn: stepping back and allowing the pathways to emerge, knowing they will not emerge without my own involvement, that the solution is in the yarn itself, not in me.”

(If you’re interested, I’d be happy to scan the articel and email to you, just let me know.)

If you haven’t yet read it, I recommend Zen and the Art of Knitting by Bernadette Murphy — more wisdom on the lessons found in knitting, writing and being present.

Thanks for the inspiring post!
Shannon

Shannon’s last blog post..Monday Musings: Your Boldest Bloom

By: Laurie Foley

Laurie Foley — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:01:44 +0000

@Kathy - "Nobody panic." I love that. @Dani - The knots just got embarrassingly worse until I got help. @JV - That DOES sound glorious. Laurie Foley’s last blog post..Unknotting 101

By: Jennifer Voss

Jennifer Voss — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:56:21 +0000

I love this, Laurie. The other night, the kids and I were in a similar place... but with oil paints. After launching into creative abandon, we realized we had no idea how to clean out the brushes. Oil and water do not mix... and without paint thinner, it was kindof a tedious task. Someone suggested we just toss the brushes... but that wouldn't have been nearly as fun. We made a big soapy paint swirly mess that was more fun than painting on the canvas itself. We relaxed into not knowing the answer, not having the correct tools and creating our own solution. Glorious. Jennifer Voss’s last blog post..When Your Essential Self Speaks - Do Nothing

By: Positively Present

Positively Present — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:58:23 +0000

This is a great post. I love the point about the power of two. I'm very independent and I always think I can do things on my own so this was a great reminder of how others can really help us when we're in need. Thank you for this! Positively Present’s last blog post..words are my happy sounds

By: Kathy

Kathy — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:12:18 +0000

“Turns out another member of our group grew up in a family that made fishing nets.”
Loved your post, Laurie! I also am amazed at how often the right experts are in the room at the right time. Nobody panic: These are Just Knots.