Elsewhere

by

Before I get to this round of Elsewhere links, I want to take a moment to reiterate something I said on Instagram last night regarding the Steekalong and indeed all of the make-alongs I host: Everyone is welcome. The kals and other events are designed to be safe, supportive groups where you can try new things and refine your skills and meet new people. Regardless of your skill level, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age or anything else, I would love for you to participate in any event I organize.

Lots of great links for you this round—

— Designer Jeanette Sloan has put together a massive list of POC Designers & Crafters, linked to their Instagram accounts (and you can find Jeanette @jeanettesloan)

— Marlee + Brandi is a must listen

— If you haven’t heard Caleisha read her beautifully written piece about her experience as a knitter of color, please make time to listen — it’s an outstanding summation of what so many are saying

— “Hand stitching had woken something up within me, which was perhaps dormant, waiting patiently and serenely all these years. I was meant to find it …“

— As a huge fan of Abolaji, I loved learning more about her and her sewing setup in this profile 

— and also loved learning more about the legendary Claire McCardell than I’d known before (via Jen)

— I’m looking forward to these stories

— How to lower the neck of a (vintage) sweater

— How to knit a custom dog sweater
(If you’re not already familiar with top-down methodology, reading through my Improv tutorial should help)

— This. Sweater.

— And I’m determined to practice until I can sketch like Ho-mei

Happy weekend, everyone — thank you for reading.

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PREVIOUSLY: Elsewhere

Photo by Dana, used with permission

11 thoughts on “Elsewhere”

    • They don’t hate them. The littlest dog is always cold since she’s just at 6lbs, so she happily wears clothes. The bigger dog wears them with ease when it’s super cold out.

  3. Well, this list is obviously going to keep me busy and dreaming for a good long while! One click leads to other clicks… my art heart is Very Happy.

  5. Thank you for continuing to be thoughtful about diversity and inclusion in the knitting and crafting communities. I know you’re gotten some pushback from some readers about making too much of a fuss, etc etc, but I think it is so important that the communities are pushed in the direction of active inclusion.

    And Claire McCardell! Someday I’m finally going to get around to drafting and sewing copy of that high-necked wrap dress that she did over and over.

  6. Aha! So this is why I got a bunch of new followers in the middle of the night!

    Thank you, Karen – for the shout out, and for the inspiration to start such a project to begin with. My most engaging project so far, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results.

    Much love to you after the events of the past week or so too – this conversation is so much larger than any individual one of us, and I’m learning and growing along with you, and many others. It feels long overdue, and I’m excited to see the results of better representation and diversity in all of our communities. I’m looking forward to diving into some of those links. Thanks again. xxxx

  7. I teach knitting (and crochet and needlepoint and weaving – but mostly knitting) three afternoons a week at senior centers in Oakland and Emeryville, CA.

    I charge $5 for a 2 1/2 hour class in Oakland; my class in Emeryville is free – I am paid by the City of Emeryville.

    The demographics of my students directly reflects the highly diverse community in which I teach. People of all genders, hues, and persuasions do indeed knit (and crochet and needlepoint and weave.)

    My students are not often on the internet looking at knitting sites and blogs and ‘Instagrams’. Their faces are not seen and their voices are not heard on the internet. I believe this is due to a combination of factors – generation, access, awareness, and interest. However, their beautiful faces are seen, and their strong, wise voices are heard, in the community, and will continue to be –

    We do spend a lot of time perusing knitting books and magazines, of which I have a substantial ‘library’ at the North Oakland Senior Center*, primarily comprised of donations received from community members over many, many years.

    *The building was the original home of the Black Panthers!

    https://www.mercurynews.com/2011/03/24/allen-north-oakland-senior-center-set-amid-oakland-architectural-educational-history/

    Cheers! And Knit On!!

  8. Ah, I loved what Caleisha wrote and read too.
    Thanks for sharing your learning and being open to it. Making this blog a more interesting place.

  9. Those dog sweaters!!!!! So cute! Thanks Karen, for all you learn and grow and share, I feel like you are a good friend I haven’t met yet.

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