Changing Patterns: Discovering the Fabric of Your Creativity Paperback – Illustrated, January 1, 2006

From the initial pages of the preface where Daena and Wren outline their vision of this book during their brainstorming sessions through to the afterword Listen to your River, I felt mesmerized by the words, by the depth of information & wisdom about the creative process, by the photographs (most by Daena), by the metaphors, and by the intricate weaving of the creative process. I loved Daena's journey through improvisation, her wonderful stories about her students and their relationship to creativity. Daena's framework of the structure and spontaneity of creativity is spectacular. Daena teaches the reader how to be in the moment and say yes, even if that sometimes entails the pain of enduring the obstacles until creativity is achieved. I loved Daena's story about Arachne. I loved her take about neurobiology, the brain and creativity. A brilliant piece of work. Wren's chapter titles alone make the book worth reading, for example, I keep thinking, why knit, why knot? Wren's play with words about knitting and about human relationships coupled with her fiber philosophy has provided me with hours of reflection. Her ability to intertwine the patterns of knitting with human connection is marvelous. I am from a family of knitters, thus I so thoroughly loved Wren's delightful and enormously radiant work. The book title, itself, Changing Patterns: Discovering the pattern of your creativity is so apt. This book provides many useful and hands on opportunity for all readers to discover ways & tools to practice change. I cannot say enough good things about this book. I plan to read it again and again, as an inspiration and as a guide in my work and in life.

I heard Wren Ross speak philosophically about life and I saw her knitting. She is really wonderful on both accounts. Her book makes a connection between the two which is more like a personal memoir than true connectivity. Beyond enjoying a look into her own psyche, I found it boring.

These pages have accompagned me during a very special moment: a one-week journey that was sort of ritual to holy my birthday.I was looking for something to read during that week and... Impossible to make a better choice! "Changing patterns" has been very appropriate for that occasion, in which I was reflecting about the past, the future, the thread of my life...But not only, it's sure it will remain a treasure for the rest of my days, that I will recurrently re-read from time to time. As it has brought to me a peaceful sense of "connection and friendship with myself" as well as courage, fun, love, self-conficence...

Changing Patterns is a wonderful and motivational read! For anyone looking to fast-start their creativity process, develop new perspectives on life, or to make contact with their own creative genius, this book is a great tool and roadmap for doing so. I've been a left-brain thinker so much of my life, and have always been rewarded for being "logical" and "analytical" in everything I do. While those traits are valuable for anyone to possess, making friends with your right brain -- the side of creativity, inspiration and intuition -- is also important and can be oh so VERY fulfilling! Using exercises, creative "time-outs," journaling and other tools, this book shows you how to access your creative spirit and realize its full potential. It's also written in a very upbeat style. I highly recommend!

This is an outstanding book - filled with eye-opening processes of changing, as well as giving excellent examples of proceeding in that direction. Would definitely recommend. Both authors are proficient in their explanations and inviting in their recommendations. Will be using some of their inquiries in workshops. Thanks to both of them.

An inspiring book.