Slow Fashion October

Hello there on a dreary, chilly, very rainy Friday at the beginning of October.  It was so windy today, my poor umbrella died.  Thank goodness I was on my way home, so I could get here, warm up, and put on dry clothes!

But it's all fine with me, because October is one of my favorite months.  To me, it means that fall is actually arriving, and is the beginning of the Anticipation Season, with Halloween at the end of the month.

For a year or so, I've been reading the Fringe Association blog.  I was made aware of it by Kate Gagnon Osborn and Courtney Kelley, who are friends of mine, but also the driving forces behind Kelbourne Woolens.  They mentioned it on their blog, and I've been reading along ever since.

As of yesterday, October 1, Karen (blog owner and mind behind it all) started Slow Fashion October.  The details are here, and the idea really appeals to me.  I like that it's an "official" thing, but there are no requirements to do x amount of things, but rather at a minimum to be conscious of our clothes, and where they come from, what they mean, and who makes them.  So I've decided to take part, and you might wish to as well.

The prompt for Week 1 is YOU, and participants are asked to talk about themselves.  So here is my contribution.

I have been knitting for about 20 years.  Prior to that, I did a small amount of sewing (and still do), and knew how to needlepoint and do counted cross-stitch.  I still love both of those things, but knitting is what I do most of all.  My mother was of the first generation where clothing was relatively affordable off-the-rack at stores, and she saw no reason to make her own clothes, or anyone else's.  So other than hemming and sewing on buttons, she didn't do anything else crafty to pass along.  Towards the end of her life, when she was confined to a wheelchair, her cousin taught her counted cross-stitch, and all of us have lovely things that she made for us.

My oldest sister taught me basic sewing after she learned in a Home Ec class in high school.  A couple of years ago, I learned how to quilt and I love that as well, but as I said, knitting is the constant activity for me.

I have already been considering my clothes, after reading articles about how/where things are made, and lamenting our desire for cheap products, since none of us has a lot of money to throw around.  I have also been reading Marie Kondo's book, and want to use some of her principles with my own closet.  I do believe from personal experience that well-made things are a good investment.  I often do not have the money to buy them, so I try to be more thoughtful now whenever I buy anything.

I think my goals for Slow Fashion October will be somewhat modest, but hopefully attainable:  I would like to finish one item already underway to wear by the end of the month, and I would like to complete a hat (which one has not been decided) by the end of the month.

Right now, I have a couple of in-progress choices, and haven't chosen a particular one, but I have narrowed it down between two things: a shawl and a sweater.  I want to get an idea of what else is going on for me this month before committing, so I don't frustrate myself on something that I am doing because I want to enjoy it.

What about you?  Have you ever participated before?  Are you thinking of participating this year?  Let me know!

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Just a quick peek at something I *finally* finished earlier this week, which took way longer than they should have.  They will have their own post soon, but here's the first look:

Have a lovely weekend, and for those of us either in Hurricane Joaquin's path or who will feel the tail end of his wrath, stay safe and dry!