AI and knitting posts

Mallorn Beanie by Kristy Childress knit in an artichoke green. The hat has an inch of 1x1 ribbing for the brim and a repeating lace leaf pattern for the remainder of the hat.
Mallorn Beanie by Kristy Childress knit in Cheshire Cat by Paige Scudder

WordPress recently added an AI generator for writing blog posts and I couldn’t help but want to try it out. Here’s the prompt I gave it: I knit a green hat out of a pattern inspired the Lord of the Rings. Here’s the response (after I set it to “humorous”):

As a self-proclaimed knitting wizard, I recently conjured up a hat of epic proportions. Picture this: a mighty green head-topper, inspired by the Lord of the Rings. No mere mortal could resist its whimsical charm!

With my trusty knitting needles in hand, I set out on a quest of yarn and glory. As each stitch seamlessly melded together, I could practically hear the theme song of Middle-earth playing in the background. A chorus of hobbits, elves, and dwarves serenading my knitting prowess!

The vibrant green hue I chose for this magical creation would make even the emerald City of Oz jealous. I wove in patterns so intricate, they’d make Gandalf’s beard stand on end. Hidden amidst the threads were secret messages, whispered only to those keen enough to decipher them.

With every row, I couldn’t help but imagine the reactions of passersby when they spotted my fantastical headgear. Picture the looks of awe and wonder as they wondered if the wearer possessed the One Ring! Will Halloween ever be the same again?

This whimsical wearable pays homage to J.R.R. Tolkien’s timeless tales while keeping your noggin toasty warm. So, next time you’re strolling down the street and you spot someone sporting a green hat that seems straight out of Middle-earth, don’t just wave—raise your staff and shout, “You shall not pass… without telling me where you got that awesome hat!”

Remember, my friend, there’s a little wizardry within us all. And sometimes, all it takes is a twisted yarn and a dash of mischief to bring a touch of fantasy to our everyday lives.

Honestly, I don’t hate it. I think where it falls flat is it’s not written in my voice, which feels like the whole point of having a blog. There’s a certain genericness to it, something that feels just short of the point. Let’s do another one, this time without specifying a specific tone:

I recently embarked on a knitting project where I decided to create a stunning green hat. As a devoted fan of the Lord of the Rings fantasy series, I drew inspiration from the vivid landscapes of Middle-earth while designing the pattern for this unique accessory.

With meticulous attention to detail, I carefully selected the perfect shade of green yarn that mirrored the enchanting hues of the elven forests described in J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterpiece. The silky texture of the yarn felt like magic interlacing through my fingertips as I knitted each stitch with utmost precision and dedication.

The pattern itself was a true homage to the intricate elven craftsmanship. Delicate intertwining leaf motifs adorned the brim of the hat, reminiscent of Lothlórien’s graceful flora. The body of the hat featured a captivating design, resembling the rolling hills and valleys of the Shire, the hobbits’ idyllic homeland.

Hours turned into days as I poured my creativity and passion into this knitting project. Each moment spent was a delightful journey into the realms of imagination, where I could envision Frodo’s courageous quest, Gandalf’s wise guidance, and the camaraderie of the Fellowship. The rhythmic clacking of the knitting needles formed a melodious symphony that echoed my excitement and anticipation for the finished piece.

Finally, after countless stitches and unwavering determination, the green hat took its final form. Like a treasure retrieved from Mirkwood itself, it exuded an air of elegance and charm. The rich green color captured the essence of nature’s beauty, while the intricate patterns told a story of adventure and resilience.

Now, this unique creation sits proudly on my shelf, a testament to the harmonious blend of knitting and literary inspiration. It serves as a reminder of the power of creativity and the joy that can be found in bringing fictional worlds to life through the art of crafting.

Again, not really me. I understand that using AI to generate content can be a helpful tool, infact I can see ways where it might be used to expand on a moment of inspiration and then edited or utilized when faced with writer’s block. Mostly, I can’t help but wonder how AI will shape the personal touch and authenticity provided by the blog space. I suppose time will tell.

…And forward on 2023

Sometimes I feel like we never stop moving. In the last two years, we’ve renovated an entire house, gotten married, had a baby, changed employment… and the list keeps going. Despite this, I can’t help but look forward to the changes that come with a new year.

In 2023 I:

  • Will figure out what type of fancy loom to buy. I sold mine at the end of 2022 and sort of feel as though I should have come up with a plan beforehand. My initial plan was to buy the same loom but in a size 48in, however, a very kind weaver talked me out of it. I’m told that it’s uncomfortable to weave on that size rigid heddle. This leaves me stuck between a 24in rigid heddle (assuming I can double weave on it), an 8-shaft table loom, and an 8-shaft floor loom, probably due to the variations in size and price point. I just want to occasionally weave blankets and towels, nothing fancy. So it’s hard to justify the cost of a $3,000 floor loom. Unless, of course, I can find a used one.
  • Will sew a dress with my egg fabric! I purchased it a year a go and just haven’t been able to sit down and make the thing. I also want to make something out of the floral denim I snagged from Notion Fabric. And finish my husband’s bike pants. And maybe sew a few more things for O. It’ll happen!
  • Will knit the things. Some are planned and some are TBD, but I will knit the things as inspired.
  • Will slow down and explore the world around us. It’s a lot of fun to view the world through the eyes of someone who’s literally never seen things before, and a good reminder that the world is our playground.
  • Might finish the Wheel of Time series. At this point, I’m halfway through and still going strong, which hopefully doesn’t jinx me.
  • plant a garden? Maybe this is the year?

I’m not really sure what 2023 will bring, but as I look at the year laid before me I can’t help but be hopeful about what’s in front of us. Some things will stay the same, but so many things will shift just enough to be felt. You don’t really blink and become a year older, each passing moment can be felt if you allow yourself to be aware of them. There’s something truly beautiful in that, so for 2023 that’s what I hope we do. I hope we sit in each moment and enjoy them, the good and the bad.

Looking back on 2022…

2022 was an incredible year for so many reasons, it’s hard to believe it’s behind us.

In 2022 I said I:

  • would spend more time in the garden. This one actually makes me chuckle because almost zero gardening got done this year. I had these grand plans of building some raised garden beds and planting vegetables that we usually buy. Instead, I found myself hanging out on a blanket or on the deck. Relaxing while O was napping or watching her play.
  • will spend as much time outside as possible actually, doing all the things. We spent a lot of time outside this summer, but in a much slower way than my 9-month pregnant self dreamed we would be. Instead of mountain biking, we spent lots of time walking in the woods around where we live. Sure, not as glamorous as summiting a major mountain, but it was nice to feel as though we were regaining our time in the wilderness.
  • will read books because I want to, not because I set a numeric goal. I’ve actually been cruising along through the Wheel of Time books and loving the world-building. The secret is definitely taking the time to read a couple books in between so that the constant recapping doesn’t feel annoying.
  • will spend more time by the water. This one, sadly, didn’t happen as much as I was hoping it would. We took a trip to the ocean and O loved it, and then hit a growth spurt/sleep regression and the trip became less about enjoying the water. In the end, the best part of the trip was taking her to the Boston Aquarium and watching her talk to the penguins. It was a humbling reminder that the best-laid plans are really only good intentions.
  • will design and publish a baby sweater! This happened, in fact, I designed a few things this year including two cowls, a pair of fingerless mitts, socks, and a shawl. Don’t ask me where I found the time!
  • will make. So many items flew off my knitting needles this year, I’m honestly not sure where I found the time and know there are more projects in my future.
  • will keep trying new things. I started a new job, does that count? What about caulking a window? This goal was created without realizing how many new things would be forced upon me as a new parent, it’s amazing how I suddenly understand the appeal of a vacation when someone else plans the itinerary and you just show up.
  • will journal and/or sit with myself more. Neope. I even attempted to meet this goal by putting together a book of photos and whatnot of our first year as parents. I think I learned that my reflection happens while my hands are busy with other things and that that’s ok. I’m learning to let go of the romantic idea that my life should be documented and that I need to process everything on paper.

…and Forward on 2022

As I write this post, it occurs to me that I’m not really sure what I expect 2022 to bring. I suppose we’ll see some change (some good things and some bad) and we’ll also find ourselves wondering if anything has really changed at all. One thing that the last two years has really taught me is that nothing is truly set in stone and if you’re willing to pivot you’ll have a better time.

In 2022 I:

  • will spend more time in the garden. Whether it’s planting vegetables or sitting around the fire at night, I want to make sure I enjoy all the hard work and time we put into cleaning it up last year.
  • will spend as much time outside as possible actually, doing all the things. It’d be cool to get a mountain bike for the summer months, but we’ll see.
  • will read books because I want to, not because I set a numeric goal. This was a good goal last year and I think it should stay on the list.
  • will spend more time by the water. Even if that water in question is found while enjoying a walk in the woods.
  • will design and publish a baby sweater! Hey it could happen.
  • will make. Whether it’s via my knitting needles, sewing machine, loom or some other method, I will make things with my hands.
  • will keep trying new things. How else am I to discover things I didn’t know I would like?
  • will journal and/or sit with myself more. I am just as important as those around me and should treat myself as such.

The interesting thing about getting older is that my desire to push myself as far as I can go isn’t as strong as it was when I was in my early 20s. It’s not that I’ve become apathetic, it’s that I’m learning to slow down and enjoy what’s around me. I’m learning not to beat myself up when I don’t meet a goal and to think about why that goal wasn’t met (and even whether or not I care). So while I’m tempted to add things to the list such as “travel to new places” or “finally hike Mt. Washington for real”, I realize that having less specific goals means that there are many different ways to meet them.