First Person
Beginner’s Mind
Shoshin is a concept from Zen Buddhism meaning beginner’s mind. It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying, even at an advanced level, just as a beginner would.
—Wikipedia
There’s a new year ahead of us, and for so many, New Year’s is a time for making resolutions.
Perhaps this is your year to knit that all-over colorwork sweater, or maybe your goal is to learn to spin. You may want to pledge to knit from your stash. January 1 makes it feel like the possibilities are endless and that we get a chance to start again. “This is the year I’ll …”
That may be why the concept of beginner’s mind came to me.
Can we try another way to begin?
Beginner’s mind is a zen concept that means looking at the world as if it were new, free of prejudice and judgements.
—Mindfulness Based Happiness
Now this definition has a couple of key concepts in it—freedom from prejudice and freedom from judgements. When I look at my unfinished Two Trees Waistcoat by Jamie and Jessi Seaton that I started in the early ’90s, I see all the lack of prejudice and judgement because who else but someone with a beginner’s mind would approach a project of that scale after only a few years of knitting experience?
I can remember the eagerness with which I went into that yarn store to purchase the 11 different colors required for it, with only a scant knowledge of how to do colorwork (and that was intarsia).
But I could read, and I had no idea what I was in for. I had enthusiasm, which I often use in place of experience and am now tying to a beginner’s mindset.
I am not a Zen Buddhist, but the concept of a beginner’s mind appeals to me. It allows me to reframe, or better yet, dismiss my previous experience. It’s not the same as not learning from one’s mistakes; it’s more like not necessarily allowing what you’ve learned to dissuade you from trying again.
I’ve done plenty of colorwork since that aborted project, and despite all that experience, I signed up for a workshop, Contemporary Stranded Knitting, at Knit City Toronto this past year. One of my knitting friends thought it was below my abilities, but to be completely transparent, I took the class because it was taught by Mary Jane Mucklestone.
MJM herself
The class had a great mix of new and experienced knitters, and as I knew I would, I learned (or relearned) important tips as well as the why something is done in a certain way—and I’m looking at you color dominance.
I also felt like I had nothing to prove; I was just another student, and this allowed me to explore without any expectations.
We were using the Flying Geese cowl pattern, for which Mary Jane provided pattern variations. I decided to make Xs instead of triangles.
I love that cowl now, and I love knowing that if I were to take that same class again, with a beginner’s mindset, I would learn even more.
In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.
—Shunryu Suzuki from Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind
This single explanation of beginner’s mind is the one that resonates with me the most. As Emily Dickinson put it, “I dwell in Possibility.”
One of the things that keeps me casting on is the possibility contained between my hands and the yarn. It is when I suspend my expectations, when I quiet my mind, that I am able to learn the most and experience a kind of blissful state of childlike wonder.
I did a test knit last year using a pattern from the Cocoknits Sweater Workshop by Julie Weisenberger. The sweaters all seem to be basic shapes and familiar silhouettes.
In approaching my task, I realized my preconceptions were of no use here. They would only get in my way. Doing so allowed me to simply follow the instructions, which in turn opened my eyes to a whole new way to construct a sweater.
I probably would have passed this book by had I not taken on the test knit assignment, thinking it was too rudimentary for me. Instead, I plan to continue exploring the Cocoknits Method because I learned so much about fit and construction from that test knit.
It seems to me that for many reasons, cultivating a mindset of possibilities can benefit us all, in whatever we’re trying to make, be that a sweater or a better life.
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Great article, beginners mind, no preconceptions, just endless possibilities.
Julie’s Cocoknits Workshop & that colour-coded worksheet/stitch marker system are the absolute BOMB!!
LOVE
LOVE
LOVE!!!
Cannot recommend any higher to folks who have not met it or tried it yet, so add mine to Claudia’s and TRY IT!!!
Beginner’s mindset is a great concept. Thank you Claudia for sharing that “new” POV that we should all return to again & again & again!
With love from Cambridge, just a few clicks north on Highway 8!
I would like to humbly suggest to Cocoknits and anyone else designing or publishing a pattern, or especially many in a book: I beg you to include some models with ordinary figures, and some large women. Please don’t tell me the clothes “look better” on very thin, gorgeous models – that only confirms that they will not look good on me. And perhaps you will sell more pattern books!
And then there is my favorite, artsy poses, dim lighting, or long hair and scarves covering the neckline so you cannot see the design features. If there are several projects with photos on Rav I can try to see what it looks like in its entirety AND what it looks like on someone other than a size nothing model, but that requires effort and determination on my part.
Kathy, I agree with you and Ginny. Another one is the scarf pattern where the scarf is draping the above-mentioned neckline and you have no idea what the scarf actually looks like laid flat.
If you look up the patterns on Ravelry, they show the sweaters on larger women. Also, I always like to cluck on the projects button, which shows knitters of all shapes modeling their finished products. That gives you a good idea of whether it’s for you or not.
Thank you so much for these thoughts! Knitting is my go-to stress-reliever (especially for the upcoming year) and I just started (and frogged) a flat colorwork project. Ready to go at it again with all your comments and thoughts in mind. Peace!
Thank you, Claudia for presenting a wonderful mindset for the new year! I love the whole concept and it reminds me of why I love tackling new projects!
Thanks for this reminder, Claudia. I spent some time yesterday making a New Year’s list of techniques and design styles I haven’t mastered or even tackled, but want to. Cocoknits was one of them. I help students with CCK sweaters, but haven’t tried one myself.
This is a great way to start the new year. I love the idea of the beginners mind. The best example you gave was taking the cowl class and learning concepts all over again. Everyone can benefit from this, no matter what new project one is approaching. Thank you!
Thank you for the beautiful inspiration. Shoshin will be my word of the year for 2025. Time to approproach my fiber and art with fresh perspective and embrace learning.
I really love this attitude. Here’s to learning lots of new things this year!
Love that mindset!
So well said. Beginner’s Mind represents the value I hold dear, but I didn’t have a name for the mindset. Thank you.
So helpful for me today! I have a job to do which is heavy with emotional baggage – the idea of approaching it with a beginner’s mind brings sweet relief and a much lighter way forwards. Thank you xx
I love this mindset and try to use it for all my pursuits: knitting, piano, watercolor and usually sewing. There is still frustration, but what 3 year old has not had a temper tantrum now and again because they could not do what they set out to do, or even do what they just learned to do? It all leads to growth.
Thank you for sharing this concept of shoshin! I have been knitting for almost 40 years, but was largely self-taught in a time before YouTube and social online groups. I have spent the last 5 years making great advances in my technique and skill level.
I love the beginners mindset, without it, my ribbing would still flail outward :-)!!!
Thank you for your thought-provoking article. As you say, it’s always a good reminder in most if not all cases, to keep an open and plastic mind set. Plus it feels good to be a kid at least for a little while.