Where do I FIT IN?🧶💭✂️finding place and purpose in the crafting community | Wednesday Unwind

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  • Опубликовано: 18 окт 2024

Комментарии • 286

  • @dennmom
    @dennmom 6 месяцев назад +106

    Good morning Mark. I love how soothing you are. I am 71 and at this stage of my life I have no time for drama. I surround myself with kind people and so am very happy to have found you. I love to learn new things and already have learned some things about knitting from you. So thank you for your kindness and your knitting tips on yarns and skills.

    • @klefk9235
      @klefk9235 6 месяцев назад +10

      Agreed!
      I’m 64 and am glad I found this channel. Mark stay on the path- you bring us ❤

    • @veldalacoste8186
      @veldalacoste8186 6 месяцев назад +1

      Very interesting video. I see you’re a continental knitter- sometime I’d love to see close up how you hold your yarn for color work. Looks like you hold both colors In your left hand and drop the one you’re not using?

    • @Kristel280
      @Kristel280 24 дня назад +1

      No time for drama. Good point.

  • @markknittergal4263
    @markknittergal4263 6 месяцев назад +21

    You do you!! As a 67 yr old woman, I was fighting for Title 9, equal rights and equal pay and had many women to thank ahead of me. We have come a long way towards acceptance with still more road ahead but with everyone being their true selves I see a light ❤

  • @loiscassels8966
    @loiscassels8966 6 месяцев назад +24

    It seems so strange to see you sitting by the pool under a blue blue sky, palm trees waving, in a long sleeved pullover sweater. Perhaps I’m imagining it to be far warmer than it actually is. Will you ever be singing for us on your channel? ❤️🇨🇦

    • @kaycosette
      @kaycosette 6 месяцев назад

      He posted a link in the description!

    • @Stettafire
      @Stettafire 6 месяцев назад

      @@kaycosette You're replying to the wrong person, cus your reply makes no sense

  • @joelwilliams5634
    @joelwilliams5634 6 месяцев назад +30

    Hi Mark. I’m a yarn store owner in Ohio and I like to believe I treat everyone who walks into my store the same. I sell beautiful silk blends and I also sell acrylic yarns. I want everyone who walks into my store to find something they will enjoy working with. It doesn’t matter who they are or what they buy I treat them all like family because all yarn people are family.

    • @ecouturehandmades5166
      @ecouturehandmades5166 6 месяцев назад

      You are one in a 1000. Thank you!

    • @n0vadr3ams
      @n0vadr3ams 6 месяцев назад

      🥹🙌 you sound so nice!!! can i ask what your yarn shop is called? i would love to visit!!

    • @joelwilliams5634
      @joelwilliams5634 6 месяцев назад

      @@n0vadr3ams my shop is called Three Kittens Knitting in Napoleon Ohio. Hope you can visit sometime

    • @SierrasStitchSanctuary
      @SierrasStitchSanctuary 6 месяцев назад

      Hello! I would also love to know the name of your shop! Always a joy to support my local yarn shops

    • @joelwilliams5634
      @joelwilliams5634 6 месяцев назад +2

      @@SierrasStitchSanctuary hello my shop is Three Kittens Knitting I’m located in Napoleon OH. about 40 min from Toledo and an hour from Ft Wayne IN. I’d love to see you if you have time to stop in

  • @christenagervais7303
    @christenagervais7303 6 месяцев назад +48

    I really am glad that I have found your channel. I love your "ramblings". You are not alone in your thoughts. We all want to be able to sit at night and to be able to sit with ourselves and know that we are a good person. Mark, you are a great person. Being your own true, authentic self is scary, but worth it.❤

  • @quil10it
    @quil10it 6 месяцев назад +19

    We have a gentleman who walks in our neighborhood who has the most beautiful voice and sings as he walks. Classical or opera but just delightful and a pleasant surprise when I happen to catch him. I love that he shares his talent with us.

  • @darrickwhite1986
    @darrickwhite1986 6 месяцев назад +7

    Don't worry about where you "fit in" at. Make your own lane because that's where you fit in the best!!

  • @stephaniebenson2501
    @stephaniebenson2501 6 месяцев назад +23

    I really appreciate the variety you offer in your episodes. Not your standard, FO’s, WIP’s, Acquisitions….Thanks for being unique.

  • @debra7893
    @debra7893 6 месяцев назад +18

    Hi Mark! I want to thank you for being open and vulnerable. My favorite bloggers share themselves as well as their knitting. It often seems that others have everything together in their lives when sometimes they don’t. I believe you will help many people and not with just their knitting. Listening to you makes me feel like you are someone I’ve known forever! Please keep it up!

  • @Horslevstrik
    @Horslevstrik 6 месяцев назад +23

    I just love to knit and listen to you talk, so relaxing

  • @melissa_pup
    @melissa_pup 6 месяцев назад +5

    Be yourself in anything you do; do what makes you happy! I'm 43 and STILL don't fit in with most of my ventures. I've done construction: building houses to road construction. I've done mechanical: from diesel mechanic to building\ re-building motors to my own vehicle repairs. I've done various areas in the woodworking field. I've been an instructor in the cake decorating field starting from a total cake decorating newbie. I even went into the Army (biggest mistake yet - won't go there here) in the fields of masonry and vertical construction, as well as diesel mechanic for all equipment that had wheels. I've tried the whole accounting thing and even went into 90k+ debt to have my foot shattered by the slammed doors. On my lastest venture, I got an associates degree in digital design and was 8 classes away from a bachelor's degree when a medical condition ended my chance with a degree in graphic arts. Now in that field; technology zoomed well past my skill sets. But the one thing that never changed was who I am. I still have my hobbies and the lockdown time allowed me to learn how to spin fiber into yarn\thread to keep me in my hobbies 😊 At the end of the day, it's how you feel and are others near you happy with who you are. If not, something should change to create the peaceful balance. Sorry, my rant time 🥴
    Thank you for letting me join you for a while in Arizona for some peaceful knitting time. I'm working on my 3rd fiber to finished knitted lace shawl: pattern called Crown Prince Square Shawl, in the book Knitted Lace of Estonia - Techniques, Patterns, and Traditions by Nancy Bush. My hope (🤞) is that this attempt when finished, I get to keep 😂 The others ended up claimed by family prior to being a third to half way 😂

  • @crittercre8r
    @crittercre8r 6 месяцев назад +3

    "if this is not your kind of video... go find another one you like." 😂
    It's refreshing to see someone say that they wanted to change who they are, because they didn't like the person they were at that time.

  • @ellenlovell5729
    @ellenlovell5729 6 месяцев назад +3

    You are wise beyond your years. If I was younger and lived near you, I would definitely want to be in your circle of friends. I have many friends in the crafting community and there is an overwhelming similarity in terms of kindness and generosity. Thank you for being you.
    As a little aside, I found myself wanting to cool off those halibuts and let them have a swim.

  • @mdlcrochet
    @mdlcrochet 6 месяцев назад +4

    There is always a place in the fiber community. I do Tunisian Crochet Tutorials and while the crochet community is already niche, tunisian is even more niche. Each community has sub groups, explore and find that fits you. It will take time but it is rewarding to have people having your back. It does take some research and looking around, but a community is always there.
    I love seeing other males in the fiber arts, more men should be proud of what they do and forget stereotypes. Be yourself and be proud.

  • @sammy1269
    @sammy1269 6 месяцев назад +2

    Hi Mark, what a beautiful setting, absolutely gorgeous☀️☀️☀️
    I really want to find my craft community but unfortunately my work hours and language abilities have restricted me. But I really enjoy being part of the community through lovely creators such as yourself on RUclips land.❤

    • @spinningloft
      @spinningloft 6 месяцев назад +1

      I hope you find an in-person crafting community. Don' t wait until you're in your 70s like me! This bunch right here is a really good community too.

  • @susannemallmann2018
    @susannemallmann2018 6 месяцев назад +8

    I came across your channel this week and I really fell in love with your chats. I could listen to your voice all day long. Have you considered lending your voice for audio books? I would totally listen to them then.
    My nights can be really tough when my mind goes in all kind of directions and remembers all the things I said during the day, the week, the year(s). It can also go into all the crafts I still want to do, all the projects that I still want to finish.
    In my childhood, I was clearly always considered as being a strange, whiney kid. I still am scared that people will see me like that, so I tend to not interact that much with other people. I do try to interact, but I always feel hesitant - scared to be rejected.
    The pandemic showed me that I prefer silence and not too many people around me. Some of my friends don't understand that. They think I am overworked and feel sorry for me. I like working and to relax, I craft. I love crafting. It gives me joy, it gives me energy. I was working on my king size Lily Pond blanket from Jane Crowfoot (crochet) while listening to you.

  • @HomeWithMyBookshelf
    @HomeWithMyBookshelf 6 месяцев назад +2

    Worked on my nalbound mittens for this video. I got distracted by the good rambling and had to unpick a bit haha. I really enjoy this kind of video!

  • @kimberlysmiley4732
    @kimberlysmiley4732 Месяц назад +1

    You were my therapist today. Thank you! Yes to kindness, and belonging, and being courageous to find your path. I’m so glad that I’ve found your channel, where we can journey together.
    Covid shut my local yarn store, so I’m visiting you and other yarning channels to learn, grow, and enjoy! ❤

  • @nataliecolbert5790
    @nataliecolbert5790 6 месяцев назад +12

    Sweet Mark, so many beautiful messages in this video. I love that you shared with people that you did not let fear stop you from leaving situations that may have been good enough, but didn’t make your heart sing.. I am always sad to hear stories of people who stayed in jobs and careers that were not fulfilling because they were afraid to take a chance onthem self. This is our one life. Peace to you and yours. 🦋

  • @lilidonna
    @lilidonna 6 месяцев назад +4

    This felt like more than entertainment. Thank for fostering a sense of connection and such a wonderful and wonderfully human video. :) xx

  • @suzannehutegger4656
    @suzannehutegger4656 9 дней назад

    Mark, you are so genuine and kind. I am sitting here knitting along with you. I love your rambling and musing. I’m so glad I found your channel. Continue doing you and be your true self.

  • @logical_knots
    @logical_knots 6 месяцев назад +3

    I don't think that I have ever resonated with a RUclips video so much, ever. Thank you for sharing your story!

  • @dianapulido1807
    @dianapulido1807 6 месяцев назад +2

    Hi Mark, I enjoy your video very much. I was thinking about what you said about not feeling like you were in the right place and I thought of a past experience I had were i wasn't happy with my work situation but I stayed because I didn't see that I had any other options, and that really was not good because it changed my personality. I love talking to people finding things about them sharing things about me. My kids say I talk to everyone (that is their way of saying stop talking so much to strangers). Now I'm rambling. Anyway this job was making me be an angry crazy person who was finding fault with everything and everyone. Till one day I realized that my job was a temporary situation, but it didn't define me. I was letting the fact that while I had a terrible boss at work I was taking my unhappiness with that situation out on every other interaction I had outside of work. I realized I couldn't change the actions of others but I could change my actions and attitudes. I'm now working at a job that I'm much happier in and I get to talk to strangers who come into my job. I hate weaving in ends so I do weave in as I go because the idea of weaving in the ends when the project is finished well it just would never get done. It would be a WIP forever.

  • @helenoreillylong9497
    @helenoreillylong9497 4 месяца назад +1

    What a beautiful speaking voice you have! I could listen to you all day. And I am in awe of how easily you knit without looking! I am loving your very insightful thoughts on your life. Thank you.

  • @dianebark9952
    @dianebark9952 6 месяцев назад +2

    Life is a journey. Enjoy the ups and downs.

  • @starla.
    @starla. 5 месяцев назад +2

    I’m so glad you found your perfect fit in life, in singing, in fiber, and in community. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. There are plenty of channels that teach techniques, but few of those feel “personal” or create the feel of a community the way your channel does. Keep up the excellent work!

  • @angelagenx6629
    @angelagenx6629 6 месяцев назад +4

    I’m really enjoying your channel, glad to have found it. What I like about your content is your calm demeanor, even with your video on your yarn shop experience, you weren’t dramatic about it, just told a story, one so many of us share. I can remember a time when I was very new to knitting and having an unwelcoming experience in a yarn shop, and while I’m not glad people have those experiences, it’s comforting to know I wasn’t the only one. With finding a place in the knitting community, I wish I had the time to join the group at my local knitting shop, it’s such a cool little shop and would be so much fun to be with people who share the same love of knitting. Unfortunately, my work schedule doesn’t allow me to be a part of these in person groups. That’s why channels like yours are so great, we can get the community online, even share our stories in the comments. I really appreciate that and the stories you share. Thank you!

  • @JimPater
    @JimPater 6 месяцев назад +5

    Thank you Mark for sharing the story of your life's journey so far. There have been many times in my own life that have been difficult and I knew I was in the wrong place for me at that time. Like you, I persevered for a while and when the time came where I knew that I couldn't continue I made the decision to head in a different direction. Anyone in any crafting as a hobby or possibly as a job hopefully has the sense to be able to persevere but also knows when a project is not right for them. After all, crafting should bring a sense of happiness and fulfillment, not dread or discontent. I'm glad that you had the love and support of your husband and friends who helped you through your difficult decisions. They helped bring you to all of us who are grateful for your contributions, encouragement and inspiration in our own creative lives.

  • @judygardiner86
    @judygardiner86 6 месяцев назад +1

    Hey Mark we are a crafting family I have quilted for years never be a professional but I’m happy..now I began to learn to knit life is good

  • @alice-claysullivan2308
    @alice-claysullivan2308 6 месяцев назад +8

    It seems like, from the comments, that you are so welcoming, comforting to listen to, and so knowledgeable to all of us. We welcome you into our lives and enjoy your company. I have knitted for almost 40 years and don’t have the skills you do. I have learned much from watching your videos. Thank you ever so much!

  • @kathysewon
    @kathysewon 6 месяцев назад +5

    Thank you for your videos, I am a retired grandma living in Kentucky. Now that I have lots of time to knit, I love finding fellow knitters on you tube to knit with. You are so kind and calming, I am grateful that I found you. Keep being who you are and thanks for keeping me company.

  • @karenbochinski
    @karenbochinski 6 месяцев назад +2

    I love your show and your teaching. I hope you keep doing what you are doing. I am attentive with everything you say. Generally, I am not with other programs. Thanks for your transparency and sharing. Your ramblings are fun too

  • @jodiethington245
    @jodiethington245 6 месяцев назад +2

    Such a beautiful setting I too am knitter in Arizona. Thought knitting in the desert sometimes. Thanks for sharing. I am sooooo loving that reached out and found people who love and care for you and apparently more than you thought. Love the knitting and the podcast.

  • @claudiabettinawitt1311
    @claudiabettinawitt1311 6 месяцев назад +3

    Hello Mark, thanks for sharing your private, very personal things and also your knitting. 🫂🫶

  • @dmcgw2
    @dmcgw2 6 месяцев назад +2

    It would be awesome to hear you play piano and sing a bit one of these days!❤ I’m trying to make myself knit! I work during the day, and have no local knit groups around where I live, so I really love watching/listening to your RUclips channel and all the others! You are all my inspiration!

  • @juliebeannzz
    @juliebeannzz 6 месяцев назад +1

    Ngl came here to gawk at your halibut sweater. Stayed for your story.
    Figuring out your place in life is stressful. Don't doubt yourself. Keep moving forward 🫶

  • @MimiRouth-t4d
    @MimiRouth-t4d Месяц назад

    It's funny, Mark, that we are exactly 50 years apart. I was an Air Force officer stationed in Madrid. I did music for a tiny Christian Science church. Then I spent a year in Madrid as a civilian, living on a tiny amount. I can read several languages and crocheted in French a white cotton dress from Tridalia 5 (No. 5 pearl cotton). Then I returned home to Bakersfield and did student teaching in a local high school. I loved the kids and detested the adults and their games. Family pushed me around and even sabotaged my efforts. There was a third Mercedes gathering dust in the driveway. And me waiting for city buses in the heat! My immediate life purpose was get out of Bakersfield! My brother was a Coast Guard officer in downtown San Francisco. I stayed with him a couple of days. I had $80, 3 suitcases including a sewing machine. Quickly I had a room in a residence club, a job at Chevron in a horrible typing pool -- and freedom! I soon became a Catholic and was singing in the Folk Mass and later a glorious choir. It took me time to get a large studio and send for my piano. I began to learn word processing -- many types! -- and did temp work all over the City. Perfect that I worked temp because only recently I realized I have prosopagnosia -- difficulty recognizing faces. Even a knitting circle is painful: OK Judy is the pretty Asian, Karen is older and doesn't talk, Lauren is the other Asian and different shape face, Aubrey is half Native American . . . I paid for opera tickets and met a friend who could get comp tickets for some great shows of all sorts. I could "lick" the windows of Neiman-Marcus. There was splendor all around and "diversity" on the smiling lips of everyone. So these days a whole new crowd is pushing for what seems to me the same love and acceptance we had in the '70's. I met and worked with gay, lesbian and transgender people the whole time. I loved them one at a time. Anyway, the Internet has been such a great gift. As are you!

  • @KevinMontreal
    @KevinMontreal 6 месяцев назад +8

    Thank you, I enjoy crocheting with you. Your calmness is very relaxing while crafting. I always like to listen to the paths people take as I can always take something and apply it to my journey. I am in my late 50’s and still love to learn and grow…

  • @huntersun9
    @huntersun9 6 месяцев назад +2

    Hello! Both of your sweaters are beautiful. I love the one you're wearing and the WIP is lovely. I'm a lifelong crocheter, but I am enjoying your videos.

  • @aksez2u
    @aksez2u 6 месяцев назад +2

    It's hard to imagine you being mean or even unpleasant to other people. I guess that just goes to show that we are all complicated humans doing the best we can. If we're lucky, we're introspective enough to learn and change for the better as we go through life.

  • @daniellewiser6492
    @daniellewiser6492 6 месяцев назад +9

    Thank you for sharing. You couldn't have a more beautiful backdrop to film. I do hope this platform continues to bring you joy because I really enjoy watching. =)

  • @spoonies
    @spoonies 6 месяцев назад +7

    I recently found your channel. I have been enjoying the tone and pace of your content. You will figure out Livestreaming and discover there is a community of Livestreaming knitters, crocheters, spinners and all kinds of yarnie crafters. Just need to take that leap and click that Live button! But if it is scary, you can run your first few livestreams as private as a test run and choose to change the setting as public after you end them, keep them private or delete them, if you wish.

  • @rachelconnor2327
    @rachelconnor2327 6 месяцев назад +2

    Hi! I’m sitting and winding a beautiful skein of wool as I listen 😊.

  • @ninasknotscrochet
    @ninasknotscrochet 6 месяцев назад +2

    HI Mark thanks for sharing your story and being a part of this amazing fiber community I really enjoy your channel

  • @kaylasimmons825
    @kaylasimmons825 6 месяцев назад +2

    as someone in the same age range as you, this “finding my place” conversation is so relevant and so important both in the crafting world but also in the real world. so happy to have stumbled upon this video, and your channel as i sit and sip my coffee feeling as though im floating in the open ocean. finding your way, and your place is such a scary voyage, but it’s always worth it when you find your way to shore and can reflect on your journey ❤

  • @JeanKnits
    @JeanKnits 6 месяцев назад +4

    Knitting along with you. And you DO bring more kindness and Light into the world with your videos.

  • @KimClinger
    @KimClinger 6 месяцев назад +2

    Great video. You’ve got a friend in me. My crafting community is online. Love the vest, it’s looking so classy! Have fun in Tucson. Don’t cook in your sweaters! Beautiful backdrop and sound was perfect.

  • @sparrow120music
    @sparrow120music 6 месяцев назад +3

    You are an amazing human. I can just feel your heart and kindness. You raise yourself up and spread as much love as you can!

  • @mikelafiddle
    @mikelafiddle 6 месяцев назад +2

    Hi Mark - I taught middle school orchestra online during the shut-down. Trying to do music education online is no joke. I made it through and am still teaching in the same position. Glad to see you happy and thriving!

  • @BC-ez4iu
    @BC-ez4iu 6 месяцев назад +1

    I found a great yarn shop in a nearby town and it’s been amazing! I finished my first sweater and posted about it online and on my next visit to the yarn shop, the owner saw me come in, jumped out of her chair and gave me a big bear hug congratulating me on my first sweater. Nurtured by Andrea mowry. It was so kind and what a moment!! I will cherish that reaction & support. This week I was also thinking about your knitting retreat video, and I think it would be amazing if you would host one! I just so love your aesthetic and your calming vibe and I think it would be really fun. Anyway, so glad I found your channel.

  • @jrebj00
    @jrebj00 6 месяцев назад +1

    Sometimes the best videos are the sit and chat ones. Sure, I love the ones where they share FOs, WIPs and acquisitions but as a slow crafter with a full time job, sometimes it's overwhelming to see people who have already finished like 30 pairs of socks in 2024 and I've finished 3 pairs. :) You have a calming voice and sometimes that's all we need - someone to sit and "chat" with while we craft.

  • @Shewhoknitsandspins
    @Shewhoknitsandspins 6 месяцев назад +2

    Mark - I’m so happy to have found your channel and I’ve liked all of your RUclips episodes that I’ve watched. I also like your spin on your projects. Your Halibut Sweater looks so nice on you. Keep posting.

  • @anndunn6775
    @anndunn6775 6 месяцев назад +1

    I do not even shop at any local yarn stores. I am a beginning knitter and watch You Tube videos and have "Knitting for Dummies" and "Knitting 101" purchased from an online used book service. I try to get information on needles from reviews so I do not spend recklessly or inefficiently. I want to be putting my effort to the best outcome. I love your videos and your openness. I hope to learn from you as a trustworthy teacher and get good ideas. So far so good. Be yourself. I do crochet pretty well and I do have some yarn knowledge, just not the budget to throw money around too much. Thank you.

  • @lolainma3218
    @lolainma3218 6 месяцев назад +2

    Continental knitting is so much faster but I just can’t switch my brain to master it:(

  • @Kayemwhy
    @Kayemwhy 6 месяцев назад +2

    Hi Mark. It is so refreshing to see someone’s vulnerabilities laid bare. I had a teach who used to say whenever I was confused say, “Excellent, you’re learning!” I carry that with me to this day. Whatever that means to you I wish you all the best. I believe it will make you better and stronger. I’m glad to have someone like you in the crafting community.

  • @susansouthard
    @susansouthard 6 месяцев назад +1

    I’m so glad I stumbled upon you. Life is always showing us a curveball, because people are different situations are different. I’m glad that you are standing to be who you are, and you are walking a path that takes care of you, so that you can take care of others.I look forward to your videos, your stories, and your knitting.

  • @annettemoore8940
    @annettemoore8940 6 месяцев назад +2

    I love the format of your videos. I like the friendly chatty nature. Your voice is so soothing.

  • @lesbigreen
    @lesbigreen 6 месяцев назад +1

    I love your stories. I love being part of your community.

  • @suechristianson5547
    @suechristianson5547 6 месяцев назад +2

    Wonderful video! I look forward to seeing you online. I can imagine you hosting a few-day knitting retreat, that would be something I would really enjoy. Hope AZ went well. We are not strangers.

  • @christinagarside8548
    @christinagarside8548 6 месяцев назад +2

    Thank you for your video, I really enjoyed sitting with you and it feels like listening to a friend. Crocheting along today having pulled several rows of knitting out due to an inability to count so decided to change direction for a while, relaxing while completing a round 88 popcorn stitches in the CAL I am taking part in.

  • @valeriechambers4773
    @valeriechambers4773 6 месяцев назад +1

    We all have a story to tell and I enjoyed hearing yours and listening to the music. The hills in the background are similar to some of those we have here in Scotland. I’m envious of the fact you can knit something so complicated and chat at the same time! 😊

  • @nuuclei
    @nuuclei 6 месяцев назад +3

    thank u for sharing more of ur story, mark :) and thank u for sharing the weaving in technique!!!!

  • @sunnystitcher5400
    @sunnystitcher5400 6 месяцев назад +2

    Thank you so so much for keeping me company while I seam up a chicken stuffie. He's a very chaotic colored chicken for sure
    As for community, the only one I've ever found that I even begin to feel like I fit in with is an online community. Never found one in person before.

  • @carolhudak3173
    @carolhudak3173 6 месяцев назад +2

    You are a joy! Listening to you talk and share your journey was amazing. Not easy to be so open and honest. Thank you for your kindness.

  • @GoldenAstroCat
    @GoldenAstroCat 6 месяцев назад +2

    Hi Mark, just found you! I love your message and calm, soothing style. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on community, belonging and being true to yourself. I think the more we listen to our inner compass the more happy and fulfilled we can be. Looking forward to your next chat and create. I'll either be crocheting, knitting or painting ☺️🧶🎨

  • @JordanLeigh
    @JordanLeigh 6 месяцев назад

    Mark, you remind me so much of my trans brother-in-law Emmett. He has a soothing light to him that is comforting to be around. Softspoken, unapologetically himself, and an absolute pleasure to be around.
    I don't feel like I've found my community here in the crafting space either. I'm autistic, I have ADHD, severe depression and anxiety, I'm fairly liberal, hung out with the emo/goth kids, love all things art and color, and I swear all the podcasters recommended to me spent the entirety of the last 6 months working on neutral beige sweaters that bored the shit out of me. Where's the color? Where's the creativity? I want things that inspire me to try something new and out of my comfort zone, and most of what I've seen from everyone I followed last year looks like they got it off a shelf at Old Navy. It doesn't even have to be complicated/difficult, I love that Crazy Sock Lady has made like 25 pairs of vanilla socks this year but so many of them are bright and pretty... because I'm craving things that are bold and loud, even if they're very simple. If anyone has more recommendations that come to mind, I'm in the mood to shake up my feed a bit... know anyone who made a PetiteKnit sweater in a neon/speckle/scrappy stripe yarn? Tell meeeeee

  • @teadrinkerfication9160
    @teadrinkerfication9160 6 месяцев назад +1

    Watching you knit is insane, it’s so quick and neat! It may be sped up with editing but even so I aspire to knit that fluently 🤩

  • @robertadunn8583
    @robertadunn8583 6 месяцев назад

    There is a big difference between fitting in and belonging. Belonging is just finding your real tribe where you don't need to fit in.. You definitely belong in the stitching community. We need you here to bring us more soothing and uplifting content. You will definitely have many more followers to come. Thank you for these great conversations. I knit and crochet and love all the things about fiber art..........btw, I also lived in Tucson years ago. Love that background.

  • @maryschartner4428
    @maryschartner4428 6 месяцев назад +1

    I know you are a good person, Mark. I’m glad you’re happy🥰

  • @JS34927
    @JS34927 6 месяцев назад +1

    Hello Mark. I just listened to your podcast as I puttered in the kitchen (getting tasks done but thinking of the knitting waiting for me 😊) and I really enjoyed hearing about your journey that finds you here. You have a very soothing speaking voice. I also appreciate your knitting tips - I will seek out the weaving in method you spoke of today.

  • @drjuder551
    @drjuder551 6 месяцев назад +1

    Thank you for sharing your story. It was lovely and loving. I am a big fan of your Halibut sweater too,

  • @dawnhetrick6556
    @dawnhetrick6556 6 месяцев назад +1

    I enjoy these Wednesday chats! 1) Do you ever sing in Atlanta? If so, I would enjoy attending to watch you perform. 2) there is no fiber community here in northern Atlanta. So, I keep hoping and praying one will open up. 😊

  • @lizreed8081
    @lizreed8081 5 месяцев назад

    Mark, thank you for creating this channel. I appreciate your thoughts, stories, and advice. To me, I’ve looked at lots of knitting podcasts to entertain, educate, and basically keep me company while I indulge my current knitting obsession. I appreciate your tone and thoughtful sensibilities. I think you are a unique and needed addition to the knitting community and I wish you lots of success and enjoyment in your journey with this endeavor.
    Best,
    Beth

  • @thomashubbell8612
    @thomashubbell8612 27 дней назад

    I have never had an issue in a yarn store. Quilt shops are another matter.

  • @debbiebelian818
    @debbiebelian818 6 месяцев назад +1

    My knitting group consists of 7 women ranging in age from 28 to 78. Some started their journey during the pandemic, others like me have been knitting for more than 60 years. Some knit, some crochet and some do both. We have grown into a very tight family and help each other in crafting and in life. My real life family knows not to schedule anything on Thursdays. That’s for my knitting family.

  • @quietowl1246
    @quietowl1246 6 месяцев назад

    Being kind doesn’t just lift up others- it’s lifts the provider up too. What’s not to love. Just discovered your channel. Hello from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

  • @lesliem358
    @lesliem358 6 месяцев назад +1

    This spoke to me and I appreciate that you share yourself in your videos. I am in my mid 40’s and have had a successful career but I haven’t felt like it was my true calling. I have been a crafter from a young age and I feel that this has helped carry me on. I have met some wonderful people in my craft journey and I am really glad I found your channel.

  • @Tricia123B
    @Tricia123B 6 месяцев назад

    Hello Mark, I LOVE your channel. A breath of fresh air. TY for sharing.
    Your channel is special in that you are upfront and honest with your journey thru life as well as your fiber arts. I Enjoy your brief outings, kitty spotlights, and all the yarny goodness. You are a delight.
    Happy Makings ~ Trish

  • @QuietlyCraftyLindaC
    @QuietlyCraftyLindaC 6 месяцев назад +2

    What a wonderful video. Thank you for being so authentic and kind and soothing. I love watching your videos because it always feels like I'm watching a friend be himself. That's super rare on social media and I'm so glad you're here. ❤ you're awesome.

  • @kathleensnow5358
    @kathleensnow5358 6 месяцев назад

    William Butler Yeats said a stranger is a friend you haven't met yet. Thank you for sharing part of your story, friend.

  • @jeanchiusano2861
    @jeanchiusano2861 6 месяцев назад +2

    Hi Mark. I think your life sounds fascinating. I love to watch and be around anyone who knows how to knit like you do. Who taught you how to knit so beautifully. I’m an old lady and I learned when I was around 50 ish from a knitting club that I joined when I met someone in a drs office knitting while she was waiting. I thought to myself that I would really like to learn how to do that, because I do some crocheting since I was eight yrs old in between working and having kids. I can’t knit that fast wish I could but I surprise myself that I can figure out most patterns from RUclips too. I miss being with other people who knit and crochet. Pandemic 😢. Anyway keep doing what you’re doing. I love it ❤

  • @leslieberkower8163
    @leslieberkower8163 6 месяцев назад

    I’m mesmerized by how how you can knit & talk hardly looking especially doing color work 👏👏

  • @sunnyw4148
    @sunnyw4148 Месяц назад

    Thanks for sharing. The fiber community was a nice safe space for me especially when I got laid off at 50.

  • @mendezcher
    @mendezcher 6 месяцев назад +1

    I can’t stop wondering when someone is going to run by and jump in the pool! Where is everyone in that glorious place?

  • @Sandy-lq9xe
    @Sandy-lq9xe 6 месяцев назад +1

    Lovely backdrop and thoughtful commentary. I hope you use the traveling nature of your livelihood as an excuse to buy souvenir yarn everywhere you go. Much more fun than collecting spoons or shot glasses. 🙂

  • @pixypunkcraft
    @pixypunkcraft 6 месяцев назад +2

    There are soo many great communities here and on other sites such as insta! I am working on a greenscreen green crochet beanie made from my second attempt at spinning yarn on a drop spindle. I absolutely love that there are other musician crafters here! Have an amazing week!

  • @bernicejames8014
    @bernicejames8014 6 месяцев назад

    What a pleasure it is to have found your channel. When we all drop all our inhibitions we become who we really are. I am talking from my own experience . So happy to have found you.

  • @Jessica-yy5wm
    @Jessica-yy5wm 6 месяцев назад

    I very much enjoyed this. Thank you for sharing your story and for being so honest. I never feel like i really belong anywhere, but at nearly 40, i've finally learned to embrace my own uniqueness and the more i do this, the more i've realized i just want to put joy into the world. You made me feel less alone. Thank you again.

  • @fivegallonbucket
    @fivegallonbucket 6 месяцев назад

    Listened to this on the drive home and it was very therapeutic. One of the things that I love about crafting is that the practice is both process AND outcome oriented. There is so much to learn about who we are and how we best function through working on projects, and also, we can apply what we have learned about ourselves (by other means) to the practice and deepen it. I am 56, and I have been knitting for decades, and I can gauge how I have progressed in life by observing what I am capable of in the microcosm of needlework. It's a fascinating study! Kinda hard to explain though ha ha!

  • @kathleensiegrist2647
    @kathleensiegrist2647 6 месяцев назад +1

    Welcome to Tucson! Enjoy your visit, the weather is perfect right now

  • @lulubellsshoebox1650
    @lulubellsshoebox1650 6 месяцев назад +2

    Thank you for sharing your story, it’s a great philosophy to chose kindness, thank you for bringing positivity to the internet 🙂 at the moment I’m mostly crocheting but I’d like to do some colourwork knitting next (once I finish my music theory degree 😅)

  • @nanikab.355
    @nanikab.355 6 месяцев назад +1

    Dear Mark, I love your story and I feel blessed to have found you sharing it. There are so many ways in which our paths seem somewhat similar. I never studied music, but playing the viola reliably in all kinds of ensembles (you don't learn to play the viola with the aim of becoming a celebrated soloist) I was able to finance my rather lengthy time of studies with lots of fun concerts and other experiences. I loved to perform within a huge big crowd of other musicians, I loved chamber music concerts, playing the part that is only noticed, when it is missing. Being a manager today I find it particularly funny, that this is what I loved most about all that experience.
    I love the U.K., Scotland is my second home. It opened to me by way of wonderful knitting circles wherever I went. Being literally a continental knitter (from Germany) made for lots of good tech talks and fun ("knitting like that must hurt your wrists for sure" "I just thought the same of your technique").
    And I was at about your age (I'm roughly double your age now) when I had the hardest time to answer not the question "what now?" but "what for?". I think I never actively pursued the answer, but knew that life would show me. It did and I'm sure is does for you too as long as you go on following your instincts. Then you can't be, needn't be someone different than who you are.
    I'm looking very much forward to more of your stories, knitting projects and life itself.
    Thank you for touching our world.

  • @cmaur811
    @cmaur811 6 месяцев назад

    You have the entire pool to yourself. ❤

  • @Bianca-ql6ou
    @Bianca-ql6ou 6 месяцев назад

    Thank you Mark for sharing your personal journey, Its so sad how people are treated and not accepted even in these times. I loved the view behind you and listening while I was knitting and I hope you had a wonderful time there 🙏💕

  • @siirin7017
    @siirin7017 6 месяцев назад +1

    I can relate to those feelings of being a failure. I was studying to become a dance teacher when my dreams were crushed when illnesses took over. Knitting has been with me for roughly 8 years now. I knit pretty much every day. It's what keeps me sane. Other times knitting is enough, sometimes I need outside help to cope. But I can always go back to knitting. Currently I'm trying to finish a lot of my shawl WIPs and knit special socks for my little sister's graduation. Your story brings me hope! Thank you! ❤

  • @lorikoury120
    @lorikoury120 6 месяцев назад +1

    Hello dear. It’s nice to see that you’re so close to my location. I’m originally from Cincinnati but now live in sw New Mexico. I feel that you’re a sweet, giving person. I’m alone in my crafting but have a wonderful family so I really appreciate your channel to be a wonderful addition to my crafting space. Hang in there dear, sing and enjoy!

  • @DarylBatCarer-ms7od
    @DarylBatCarer-ms7od 6 месяцев назад +3

    Wow - that was some backdrop!! Can't actually see out of my windows at the moment as its blowing a rainy gale here in Herefordshire so I loved this video. I went straight off to watch the Stephen Weaving video before realising that's something I do as standard 😂. Currently 80% through an Ulura shawl by Sue Grandfield. A former UFO as too repetitive for my taste but determined to finish this month!! 💪
    Love your honesty and chatty style- it's like sitting with a friend who loves you just because you're you 😊

  • @donnawofner9412
    @donnawofner9412 6 месяцев назад +1

    Thanks Mark. Love the scenery and the music choice.

  • @ByrdieCouture
    @ByrdieCouture 6 месяцев назад +1

    Thank you for telling your story. It was very honest and I know others can relate.

  • @dealred02
    @dealred02 6 месяцев назад +1

    I’m sitting here working and just loved listening to this video. I’m not able to pick up my project but it was super relaxing. Thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing your life with us.