I hope that you will continue to test knit. OR, that you post your modifications you make for sweaters to Ravelry. Those of us with bigger bodies, or bigger chests, or whatever, really benefit from knowing the changes you have had to make. It helps us make decisions whether patterns are worth our time, or if someone else has been in the same place and can be a guide.
Love your podcast and enjoy sitting and knitting along with you! My favorite Black Maker is a beautiful sweet friend (Dawn Ross-Keys) who I knit with, she is an ah-mazing maker/knitter who has always been encouraging, supportive and of course, a healthy fiber enabler 😂 Shout out also to Denise/Earthtones Girl and to Marce/Hey BrownBerry 💕 Love your new sweater, it’s beautiful ❄️
Well you were mentioned in the Grocery Girls podcast last Thursday AND you’re totally awesome so no surprise you hit that milestone. Congrats!! We love you.
I really enjoy seeing all your makes and love that you spoil yourself with yarn over your birthday. I agree with you about size inclusivity and how important it is not to feel othered and left out. I do love Bisa Butler’s quilting and all her heritage and black women heroines in her work. I live in England and love Lorna Hamilton’s knitting work too ♥️
Excellent episode as always and congratulations on your podcasting successes! My answer is Toni from TL Yarn Crafts. My niece asked me to teach her how to crochet and so I frantically youtubed how to crochet for beginner and Toni's video was amazing and taught me, and my neice lol, everything we needed to know. From crochet, knitting videos kept popping up in my recommended and eventually encouraged me to pick up my knitting needles again after about 20 years!
Thank you for the description of all of your great projects. I feel better hearing that sometimes projects, patterns or yarns just don’t work the way that you want. You asked for a favorite black creator. I immediately thought of the past law creator,John Lewis. He stood tall for a man of small stature. He helped design laws to help make us a better union. He’s sorely missed right now. Hopefully we will make his legacy proud one day. Happy knitting this week and VOTE! Thank you.
My crochet friend told me about your channel, I love it! My favorite black makers would be Willie Nillie and you! I'm a new knitter and have learned several things from both of you. Thank you for talking about gauge! I have frustrated my teacher/mom more than once with gauge :)
You must be an amazingly fast knitter! 7 Stephen West shawls in 6 months! Most of us need 7 months just for one of his shawls. Great podcast! There are so many black makers that I like, but my favorite one is Black Purl Magic! Her project bags are the best!
I am so excited for a third episode! I wish you lived near me and we could be BFFs which is completely weird and parasocial but so I promise after this I'll pretend I have chill. Regarding test knits, three things: have you asked the designer if you can modify the sizing to fit your body as part of the test knit? Some people encourage it and some people, uh, do not. Which brings us to the second thing, you're allowed to say "I'm sorry, this is not going to fit my body in anything remotely resembling a wearable way." That's -useful- feedback. The designer wanted to know if the design fits as written and it does not. Third, you're allowed to bow out. You're not being paid, there's no contract, there are other knitters knitting the same size, as you've said you don't have anything to contribute to the test knit (except the feedback that, as written, the pattern does not fit your body), if they don't want you to modify it (and they can't...stop you? they're not going to come to your house and steal the half-finished garment to keep you from making modifications?) and include it in their line of preview knitters, you can bow out. If you feel guilting about getting the pattern for free, you can buy it when it comes out and if they put you on a list of test knitters to never use again...isn't that what you want, too? My favourite black maker is quite the question. I think my most favourited black designer is Noma Ndlovu, "Bigger Than Life Knits". She's a plus size designer in South Africa who designs everything - socks, dresses, scarves, hats, shawls, pullovers, cardigans, blankets, cushion covers, rugs, blankets... Her sister models most of the project photos and she's a busty lady so I actually get to see patterns designed for a figure similar to my own which I really appreciate.
I just found your channel thanks to Needles At The Ready!! Love your personality!! I would say my favorite black maker is Caleshia from the Quirky Monday Craftcast. She is amazing!!
I love Lola Bean her yarn is my jam. The colors are stunning. Plus I love that a cartoon character of her daughter is on the label 😍 Love your podcast. So relatable and super fun! My motto is if I’m not lovin it or digging it. It has to go. Not wasting precious crafting time when there are an infinite amount of lovely patterns to get through.
My favorite is Willie Smith of WillieNillieKnits. Such an inspiration! And remember, if you don’t like something now, you won’t like it in 20 rows. Good yarn deserves the best project (from someone who knit Twists & Turns, then frogged it because it just wasn’t my jam…😂).
People often think my stance is too much, but i honesty think if you can’t grade your pattern or have it graded, you are not ready for a knitwear design business. Same with sewing. I’m a union girlie, and it’s feels similar to when I say if you can’t pay a living wage, you aren’t a viable business 😎
My favourite Black makers are Marissa Made, TL Yarn Crafts, and Denise from Earthtones. Regarding the test knit, the goal isn’t actually to follow the pattern exactly as written. It’s to make a wearable garment. As long as you note your modifications for fit, designers are (usually) fine with changes. After all, not every pattern is necessarily written or graded correctly, and telling a designer that something just isn’t wearable is super important feedback ❤
Just finished the Caledonia sweater by Sylvia Watts-Cherry a black knitwear designer from the UK. But I also love Vanessa Smith and am waiting for her new Nydia cardigan to drop. BTW- I did not take a break when you talked about crochet and am so glad I didn’t. When you showed that mosaic crochet pillow cushion I caught my breath. I may have to take up crocheting just so I can make one. It’s beautiful!!! I know enough crochet to do a chain and a granny square(years ago), but if RUclips helped me knit it can sure help me crochet. Love your energy and willingness to try anything. Thanks for having others suggest black creators- I am going thru the comments to check them out. I just looked up Noma Ndlovu and am thrilled. She looks and is shaped like me!!! So excited (I’m a black knitter in Canada who has yet to meet in person another black knitter near me. Granted- Canada is huge👋🏽
My favorite black maker to follow is Denise Bayron of bayronhandmade. She has a beautiful, minimal aesthetic and a warm, joyous energy. Good for you for frogging the shawl!! It’s ok to get excited about something for a bit and then not have it work out. This craft is for fun and to give us peace and joy, so don’t waste your time on what you don’t love. Hearing you encourages me to maybe frog a project that I don’t love anymore!
I have too many Black makers to list, so I will do it by category: Crochet - Toni Lipsey of TL Yarn Crafts Knit - Tif Neilon Yarn - Laverne Benton of BzyPeach Podcast besides you, Stitches and Starlight, the Makers' Notebook, and Best Day Ever! Crafting Podcast. Congratulations on deciding to stop knitting a pattern that wasn't bringing you joy, that's the hardest part of the process. Maybe another designers shawl would be better for the colors you have or split them up across patterns and then you can wear the memory of your trip multiple times. When you swatch do you check row gauge? The answer to your yoke may in there. Also, since modal, cashmere, alpaca and silk have no memory the heavier the piece your knitting the longer it gets. BTW, you are not long winded, you're talkative, that's great for a podcast.
My favorite maker is Toni Lipsey she truly show the love she has for her craft and makes you feel included. I enjoy your podcast and only make what you love.
Congratulations on your viewership! May all the comments be loving and lovely. I am so enjoying your podcasts! I have been crocheting for a while, and decided to try to forge new pathways in an older brain by learning a new skill - knitting! And now my youngest offspring - age 3, active healthy boy child - is very interested in all things yarn and wants to learn! Listening to you is a few precious moments of calm and good humor in a hectic day. I am so glad you are creating and sharing!
Hello Sarah, I am enjoying your podcast and all your projects! I too look for patterns withsizes larger than s/m🤣🤣. Your Sophie scarf is darling as a head wrap…I want to try knitting one and wearing it as a head wrap as well! Good idea. Thank you for your giveaway…the yarn is beautiful and I hope you pick me! My favorite Black Maker of all time for me would be the Country Music legend, Charlie Pride…”Kiss and Angel Good Morning……”. ❤️. You know the one…..Happy knitting, crocheting, etc……. And Congratulations, gayle in MN.
In the knitting community, I love Hey Brown Berry. Marceline is inspiring. She knits and spins and dyes yarn. I love to listen to her. Another great podcast, Sarah.
Great to see another video, you are a natural on video, you make it appear easy. Swatches are good for getting gauge and feel of fabric, however it is difficult to know how much it will grow because the weight of a sweater is far greater than a swatch. So swatching only tells part of the story especially with superwash yarns and acrylics. Knit what you love!🧶
My favorite maker is Toni from TL Yarn Crafts!!! Toni is fun and very knowledgeable. She got me to fall back in love with crochet. I only wanted to knit and look down my nose at crochet until her podcast. Her opinions on yarn have been most helpful on what to buy for different types of patterns. I can watch her for hours.
Stay well and safe and we, fellow knitters and crocheters enjoy you and words and the joy you have podcasting. Peace, love and great gratitude for you.
Thanks SO much for being real! Your trunk show experience was the best! I laughed out loud when you said you screamed right in the shop! 🤣 Anyway, My favorite black maker is YOU. I simply love your energy, and I identify with you so many times! But if I'm required to name someone else it would be Brownberry. When I need "calm" she's my go-to podcast. Thanks, again!!
Love your podcast. You are a gem. Let the shawl go and frog away. If it doesn't bring you joy frog the crappers out of it and smile for the next project it is about to become. I just found Stitches and Starlight. Another gem. Funny, enjoyable and a wealth of knowledge with her spinning. Oh, and I'm on the inclusivity band wagon. Until next time ...
Thanks for mentioning Ruth...she's adorable...love her accent. More importantly, her words of faith at the end of her podcasts are very inspiring to me as a believer in Jesus.
Hi Sarah, it is lovely to see you again, beautiful sweater and suits you too. The shawls are coming along beautifully. Whatever you decide to do with the Aurora Cabin shawl, do what makes you happy. Loving the gorgeous yarn too. Have a beautiful day. ❤❤❤
I've been enjoying knitting during your podcasts. I have 5 sweater quantities of vintage Manos del Uruguay that were gifted to me during a friend's destash. It's bulky handspun wool. Manos is a not-for-profit business founded by women to give Uruguay's rural women a way of making an income. Once I knit through my friend's destash (it was a lot of yarn!) I look forward to finding similar, smaller companies working along the same lines to support.
My favourite black maker currently has to be you! You give such joy. If poetry is a craft, perhaps my most inspiring 'maker', black or otherwise, is Amanda Gorman. While I'm here, I just have to chime in and say if that Slipstravaganza is not giving you joy in the knitting, you will not remember the joy of your Montreal vacation when you look at it or wear it. Ripit 🐸 would be my vote (if you wanted my opinion). Find the kind of joy you give us!
Those 2 yarns would look mighty fine in my collection.😁 My favorite Black Maker would be AC Crochets. She makes some fabulous fashion forwards designs and I just love everything she does.
Ooooooh! For the givaway, my favorite black maker, and one of my favorite youtubers in general, is Minnie Small. She's an *amazing* artist and video maker- like her video production quality is just 🤌. She is so soothing as well, and has stellar music taste, at least for her soundtracks. Just everything about her is classy classy classy. She hasn't uploaded in a bit 😭 but she dod get married a few months ago so I can't be too mad. You totally deserve the shoutouts, you're so fun to watch and listen to, really natural in front of the camera.
OOAK is One Of A Kind :) Everything isn't for everyone and we are so fortunate to have so many patterns to choose from to knit for our changing and different body shapes. Your sweater is gorgeous!
I have three favorites because I can’t pick between them! TL Yarn Crafts is one. I am so inspired by her crochet and want to learn so many things. Stitches and Starlight is another. I really enjoy her energy and style of explaining and teaching. Definitely going to be trying out spinning my own yarn here soon because I’ve been influenced to learn how by her. I also really love your podcasts. I love how realistic you are with your projects and knowing what works for you and what doesn’t. Even if it means ripping out a project to work on something else. Thank you for sharing your crafting! I’m way excited for you and the milestones you are reaching on your podcast! I’ve been here since the start and can’t wait to see where else you go and what you do. Happy crafting!
My favorite maker from the African American community is Betty Washington Greene. I worked as a lab tech for a major chemical company in one of their polymer divisions. I found her looking for women who have made a difference in polymer chemistry. As a woman in a traditionally male field, she was very inspiring for me! I am nowhere near her level, having only a bachelor's degree, but every bit of inspiration is precious.
Lovely to see what you've been up to. Your Twists and Turns shawl is EPIC. 🤩 Thought I was happy giving that one a miss, but may have to reconsider.... I'd like to recommend a terrific UK hand-dyer Lola from Third Vault Yarns to you, think her colour sense would be up your street. The Julie Asselin colourway Pixelated that you showed reminded me of some yarn of Lola's that I''ve been saving for just the right project. Happy stitching 💚
That sweater turned out a treat. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve forgotten to wash my swatch, had it come back to bite me, and then FORGET TO WASH THE SWATCH on the next one.
Great episode! I couldn't agree more about frogging if the project doesn't bring you joy. Denise Bayron is one of my favorite black makers. Her aesthetic is so classic.
Such a brilliant, cheerful and friendly podcast again! Thank you. I am very envious of the way you jump in and give brioche knitting and mosaic crochet a go. My favourite black maker is Lola of Third Vault Yarns. Such beautiful colours! 😊
Hi again, Soo, my fav Black Maker for Black History Month is Denise Williams. She's a New Yorker from Brooklyn and she creates one-of-a-kind handmade cards. She loves to focus on the Zodiac and weaves that into as many ways as she can. That's my fav. Happy Craft'n! By the way, you be hav'n me laugh'n out loud, for real for some of the things you say. Until next time!
Hi Sarah. You crack me up! I don’t have a favorite black maker. I can’t choose between Denise from Earthtones Girl and Toni Lipsey go TLYarnCrafts. They are both fantastic and funny. And you are definitely in their realm. I really enjoy your podcasts while I am working on a project. I knit and crochet and sew a little, too. You have scared me a little with the Aurora Cabin Shawl. I was going to do Twist and Turns as my first Stephen West project, but changed my mind when I saw some of them. Yours is beautiful. I’m working on ‘second socks’ and a baby blanket right now, but will be getting to the Aurora soon. Thanks for sharing yourself with us. I am looking forward to your next video! ❤❤
You are quite something😄 I loved the episode (I don't know how I missed #2, but I did and have to go find it) and really appreciated your thoughts/comments on inclusivity, sizing and the shout outs to some great makers (hooray for Wool Needles Hands and Maressa Made!) who also give great content AND have super personalities. Totally agree with you on the shawl issue: why work on anything you don't enjoy if you actually have a choice? Rip it out and use the yarn for something else you WILL love. Looking forward to the next episode 😊 [And my favorite black knitter --- if forced to choose --- would probably be the lovely Marce of Hey Brown Betty. She has such an engaging, warm, welcoming personality. She makes such gorgeous things. And I always feel as if I have been encouraged and refreshed after watching her.]
Hi! I’m Kristin from Wyandotte, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, right along the Detroit River. My favorite black maker would have to be Rosa Parks. Not only was she a seamstress, she help to create, make, if you will, a very large role for women in the Civil Rights Movement. She moved to Detroit shortly after her historic protest and the bus she made her “sit” (rather than stand) in is in The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. What a brave maker, woman, leader, and mother she was!
My favorite black maker is TL Yarn Crafts! She "hooked" me into the fiber arts and I've been obsessed with knitting and crochet ever since. OAN: I literally gasped when you showed that mosaic crochet pillow and my husband looked up and said "Are you okay?".. HAHA.. NO, I was not okay. So beautiful!
I love your energy! Perfect podcast for a pick me up when needed 🙂 Favorite black makers would be a tie between stitches and starlight, such an amazing spinner. Makes me almost think about picking up spinning, but I hardly have time to knit these days let alone another craft. And then Maressa made. She is so funny and genuine. Plus those color choices 🤩
Life it too short to knit anything you don't love! And to knit it with yarn you don't love? That is just wrong on so many levels. Oh, and you have sold me on Stephen West. Just like you, I don't knit "popular" patterns/designers because of some inner rebel. But what you have shown me of his designs, I am now a convert...you got me!
thank you for talking about (the lack of) size inclusivity in the knitting community! as a fat knitter i totally understand the feelings that come with wanting to knit a popular pattern and it doesn't go up to a size that will fit. it's so important to be talking about so again, i really appreciate you taking the time to discuss it on your platform :)
The fact that I literally just watched your first two episodes yesterday, and now you post! The knitting gods look upon me with kindness. Can't wait to see what yarny shenanigans you've gotten into this time. Perhaps another Steven West shawl cast on? 😆 Also, as a plus size person, really feel you on the body positivity thing. So so SO many patterns that I miss out on because they don't come in my size, and i'm on the smaller side of the plus size spectrum (so much worse for people even bigger than me). It already makes knitting harder because I have to spend more money on yarn since I can't make a whole sweater out of like 3 skeins. So to have patterns be an issue as well has at times made me want to stop knitting entirely. It isn't fun to spend hours scrolling through ravelry, think you've found the perfect pattern only to see the biggest size is a L or XL. Glad that's slowly changing but it's definitely hard.
Wonderful episode and all of your reasons for your purchases make perfect sense to me! 😇 I’m a hit and miss swatcher, but I find that the more that I knit the more I have a sense of what’s going to work. If I’m afraid that something might block out to be too big, I don’t soak it, I steam block it by putting a very wet tea towel over the sweater and then skimming my iron over the towel to create a lot of steam. I love to listen to and learn from Hey Brown Berry (Marceline Smith) and Earthtone’s Girl (Denise DeSantis). They both create a welcoming space and are so encouraging, which is greatly appreciated.
My favourite black maker is actually my French press and I can’t do without.. but as we are talking about crafting, knitting and crochet I’d mention Tif Neilan, Vanessa Smith, Tony Lipsey, Jeanette Sloan and Brandi Harper and.. there are so many I like 😊
What a lovely podcast Sarah - my favourite black makers include, but are not limited to ....... Denise, Earthtonesgirl - Gaye Gallepsie, GGMadeIt - Jonah Hands (young crochet wizkid) and Toni TL Yarn Crafts. You looked relieved to have made the decision to frog that shawl, life is too short to knit things you're not totally in love with.
Hello lovely lady! I am late to the show, but must tell you again how much I have enjoyed this episode! You crack me up, being as funny and witty as you are! I agree, frog the shawl if you don't enjoy it. I am sure you will find a lovely replacement so you can still knit your travel/Montreal-shawl! ;) I might be too late, but my favorite black maker is Lisa Aisato, her illustrations are just so beautiful, they make me smile and humble. Best wishes from Bavaria (ITS COLD HERE!!!!!)
For the black yarn an idea: Sorrel by wool and pine. Hopefully not too deep a yolk, definitely not a Ninilchik Swancho LOL. -- But I doubt it would be a size one needle since it would be sport-ish weight. OOAK is One Of A Kind. Loved seeing your finished twists and turns- your last episode made me pick mine back up from Christmas knitting. Thanks for the inspiration. Good luck with all the steven west shawls. Black history month shout-out --- Miss Purl in south side Chicago is a shop owner who has amazing makes- Stop by and pick up some yarn if anyone is in the Evergreen area. TL Yarn crafts got me into crochet- Toni is fantastic, and Bisa Butler makes AMAZING works of art with quilt materials. Stunning!!!
My favourite Black maker (you're a new contender!) is Earthtones Girl, Denise! She's a beautiful knitter and even more beautiful person :) The 2-strand sweater is lovely. | wouldn't have thought to pair that pale grey with the multi yarn. As for the shawl you want to 'frog'...seeing it for the 2nd time, I think the colours still suit you but the pattern is just too busy. And it reminds me of a honeycomb for some reason, lol. I think you can find a pattern to utilize the yarn to still have a nice Montreal memory shawl. Excited to see the 3rd episode posted! Wishing you all the best from Canada!!!
Jill Wolcott offers classes on Grading patterns! She's terrific and anyone who has tried to design patters really needs solid grading skills. Also most designers design for their own size. So if you are looking at a 'larger' knitting, she'll primarily design for her own size first.
I've been binge watching your 3 episodes today while knitting! It's a quite intense snowy day here in Montreal, perfect to stay cozy at home. You convinced me of doing the YAL from Stephen West. It opens tomorrow and I was still hesitating, can't wait now! I have to mention Toni from TL Yarn Crafts, she gave me back the courage to dive into Tunisian crochet and I can't thank her enough. Love your channel, it was great to listen to you. Looking forward to your next episode!
Hello from Edinburgh! I love your podcast! Is it weird that I feel that essentially we're in conversation and occasionally answer back to the telly? 🤣 Sometimes my husband will wander in while you're on and watch too. He is not a knitter, but appreciates the finery of the craft. My favourite Black maker is my grandmother. She's was a dressmaker in her prime, amongst many other jobs, and still knits when arthritis allows. She talks about having made beautiful wedding dresses for clients back in the 60s and 70s, soon after she had settled in the UK from Barbados 🇧🇧.
You are continually a delight to spend an afternoon with while I knit! Thank you for speaking about size inclusivity. It is never fun seeing a cute pattern and realizing it doesn't come in your size. My favorite black maker is Dana from Yards of Happiness. She is local to me and I always secretly hope I will someday get to see her (and her glorious sweaters) in person.
I love your back-lit shelving featured behind. Most effective backdrop for a knit you tube I've seen. The "Snowy Forest" sweater pattern features models wearing it with tons of positive ease. I'm not sure you would be any happier wearing the sweater like that. The positive ease and yarn weight question best for each person is a huge and very interesting thing to look at!!
Thank you so much! I wasn’t expecting it to work but I’m glad it does since there’s no other spot available 🤣 I do think the positive ease issue is a tricky one. It seems that oversized clothing is / was having a moment with Japanese designers and fashion folks. Not a good look on me but it does look fantastic in certain folks.
Another great episode! My favorite Black maker would have to be N.K. Jemisin - her books are always a delight to read, esp. because of all of the worldbuilding she puts into them.
Yeah last weekend was so cold. I did nothing but sleep under a heated blanket. I did watch Alisha from Littlejohns yarn. Just love her livestreams. And her patterns are so cute and easy to make.
Hi Sarah, I don’t want to make Ruth jealous, 😅but I live right outside of Madison and also just purchased Evergreen Suri alpaca in the Lupine color way! Small world. My favorite black maker is Denise Bayron. I met her at Stitches West, and she was also lovely in person. Thanks for taking the time to put your knitting out in the world. Jeanette
Haha I think I know exactly what pattern you were ranting about and it is super cute but I was also very shocked when I saw the size options! 🍃 Love your podcast, you're a breath of fresh air and everything you have made/are making is lovely! I'm watching from tropical Australia where we only get about a week of winter per year and that is at a temperature I'm sure you would still think is quite warm...and I have just taken up knitting...what an idiot 😂 You are my favourite black maker at this point in time but before I found you I would have said Toni from TL yarn crafts...who is still lovely but I don't crochet anymore! 😂 I'm looking forward to adding more makers to my subscribe and check out lists with the suggestions on these comments! Happy Knitting (and crocheting) 🧶😊
Hi! I'm the Raveler that messaged you about the Black Girl Nerd Queendom. I know that the Hirose was a lot of work, but you look curvy and fabulous in it. Love your T&T, especially the colors. Now I want to make the Log Aurora Stephen West Cabin thingie (in different colors). the crochet mosaic overlay is gorgeous. Makes me want to pick up my hooks for a more involved project than dishcloths or the occasional blanket. And my favorite Black maker ... currently I am LOVING Michael aka Piece4PeaceCrafting.
Your podcast is truly inspirational…….Tif Neilan would be one of my favorite designers……really enjoy her patterns…….Your snowy forest is amazing….so happy that you stayed with it …….
Earthtones Girl is one of my favorites along with the Drunk Knitter. Thanks so much for your latest installment. You’re doing a wonderful job. I love listening to you while I knit.
Loving your twist and turns shawl, that pink is chefs kiss 😍 Also that lento combination, I am excited to see finished. That yarn combo is STUNNING! I do not want to trigger anyone, so I will keep my answer brief for the giveaway. I am currently reading Hidden in Plain View. So my favourite black crafters are Mrs. Ozella McDaniel Williams and the story she shares about the crafters in this book. The ingenuity and bravery, I am in awe.
Glad to catch your third episode. Sharing your thought process on modifying your deep-yoke Snowy Forest sweater to fit without that sinking wardrobe-malfunction sensation led me to more carefully scrutinize designs that I think I love on paper. All those lush bulky top-down sweaters of the moment. Layering is what works best in my life. Deep armholes with lots of bulk under the arm: not great for layering. Won’t fit under a coat or my rain shell. So, yeah, given that I sewed garments before learning to knit, and sewing up sleeves seems normal to me, I’ll knit those big-yoke sweaters sparingly for lounging around indoors. Your Snowy Forest looks great-worth all the effort you took to make it fit to your liking. Thanks for your observations about fit & grading patterns, too. Carry on!
Well, you are just awesome, so that is why you are now being watched by the great knitting masses ! As much as I don't like to differentiate because people are people, but you asked for my favorite Black creator and the first that came to my mind was EARTHTONES GIRL my sock guru. She is not only a delightful person to listen to , but a fabulous teacher as well. And I have to agree with Betty S, if you aren't gonna love that shawl then why waste the time?
I'm glad to see you back! On the subject of test knitting, I modify EVERYTHING. I'm tall and pear shaped and I need a deeper yoke, so I really need to. I've only test knit once, and I found that the time constraint took the fun out of knitting for me, especially as a larger human being, but I really appreciate those who do. Two recent patterns that I've knit had big math errors in my size. One I fixed, the other that hot the WIP added to a time out. It definitely has value! Favorite black artist is Adrian Piper
Another fabulous episode!🙂 My favorite is probably Tammy from Cinematic Skeins. She's a small indie dyer from Texas, I believe. She's got some great colorways!
I was really looking forward to the third episode. Thanks for another fabulous one! You bring so much joy and fun into your videos, no surprise that you hit the milestone. If YOU don't feel the project, just frog it! There are so many gorgeous projects waiting for you to knit that there's no reason to waste your knitting time onto something that doesn't bring you joy! My favorite black maker is Tazhi from Stitches & Starlight podcast. Sorry, I'm not cohesive at all in my comment :) Best wishes from Spain!
Hello! Up front I wanted to say my favourite black maker is Denise, Earthtones Girl. She is a master at everything to do with socks, and I always learn so much from her. I heard about your podcast from several people, and now that I've seen this episode, I NEED to watch the first two! It's funny when you mentioned Ruth Loves To Knit, because I find you have similar vibes. You both say whats on your mind and in your heart, and I love that. I feel your pain when it comes to sweater yokes. I have to rip back to early yoke on my Skylights Sweater because everything turned out way too big! I picked the smallest size, which is 45 inches, after 12 inches of positive ease. I'm 5 feet tall, and that look just is not for me. But I love the yarn combo and the pattern! So, I'll be ripping back, and if there is anything left of the aran weight single ply plus strand of mohair/silk, I'm going to do the math for the raglan increases so I end up with the look of the beautiful yarn and pattern but not the width. It doesn't help that I listened to the owner of my LYS when I bought the yarn a year ago, who I respect and appreciate, when she promised me I'd only need 5 balls of the aran weight, and I have less than 1 ball left after doing the sleeves (sewn bind off!) and about 2 inches of the body. There was more yarn there, I could have bought more! 🤦♀️😥 So, I don't have a word of the year, but a phrase of my lifetime. "I will never regret buying (more) yarn, but I will always regret NOT buying (more) yarn." Anyway, I can't wait to see your next podcast! FYI I did watch all in one sitting. 😁💗
Great episode! A favorite Black maker currently is Denise from Earthtones Girl, she's so kind and genuine and her enthusiasm is contagious. On your comment about test knitting not being a possibility for you if you can't modify designs: I hope you don't give up on it! A designer whose design 1) doesn't work for or is modifiable for different body types and 2) isn't open to test knitters modifying at least slightly to fit their bodies is not listening to the community's needs. That information would be an asset to others who want to make the pattern and have similar needs. I can understand designers not wanting drastic changes that could have negative results on the look or are so drastic they no longer look like the same design, but you shouldn't have to knit twice to make it fit you. That's frustrating. I've had a somewhat similar situation with a test knit where the designer literally wouldn't allow you to size down a needle for ribbing bc it wasn't in the pattern even though I always size down 1-2 needles for ribbing because that's how I get neat ribbing and it's never negatively affected fit and it makes a neater result 🙄. All that to say I've also had designers who are great about small modifications and also creating a healthy environment and it's a joy to be a part of! Maybe ask a couple questions if you're interested in testing again to see if it's likely to be a good fit. Also: test knitters really shouldn't be catching many mistakes. There can be a few but it shouldn't be many at all. Another primary purpose is promoting the pattern by people seeing it knit up in different sizes and benefiting from anything testers have learned - about understanding the pattern and also modifications like length that might work the pattern work for them.
Great podcast!! Your garments are beautiful and I applaud you for finishing the latest SW MKAL-. I started it, hated it, never went back to it. I definitely agree with making only what brings you joy. And I was thrilled for you when the grocery girls shouted you out this week, yay!❤❤
Okay, I have binged your first 3 podcasts, and there's a give away!?! Until I stumbled upon you, my favorite black maker has been Tara of tlyarn. She is so encouraging and uplifting. And now you! Down to earth, and now I don't feel bad for having more than one project on the needles and hooks at a time.
Life is too short to knit shawls you don’t love 💜
Rochelle from Queen's Yarn Boutique makes beautiful projects
I hope that you will continue to test knit. OR, that you post your modifications you make for sweaters to Ravelry. Those of us with bigger bodies, or bigger chests, or whatever, really benefit from knowing the changes you have had to make. It helps us make decisions whether patterns are worth our time, or if someone else has been in the same place and can be a guide.
The perfect comment. You've just read my mind.
My fav black maker is Karida Collins of neighborhood fiber co. She's impressive!
Love your podcast and enjoy sitting and knitting along with you! My favorite Black Maker is a beautiful sweet friend
(Dawn Ross-Keys) who I knit with, she is an ah-mazing maker/knitter who has always been encouraging, supportive and of course, a healthy fiber enabler 😂 Shout out also to Denise/Earthtones Girl and to Marce/Hey BrownBerry 💕
Love your new sweater, it’s beautiful ❄️
Well you were mentioned in the Grocery Girls podcast last Thursday AND you’re totally awesome so no surprise you hit that milestone. Congrats!! We love you.
I really enjoy seeing all your makes and love that you spoil yourself with yarn over your birthday. I agree with you about size inclusivity and how important it is not to feel othered and left out. I do love Bisa Butler’s quilting and all her heritage and black women heroines in her work. I live in England and love Lorna Hamilton’s knitting work too ♥️
Excellent episode as always and congratulations on your podcasting successes! My answer is Toni from TL Yarn Crafts. My niece asked me to teach her how to crochet and so I frantically youtubed how to crochet for beginner and Toni's video was amazing and taught me, and my neice lol, everything we needed to know. From crochet, knitting videos kept popping up in my recommended and eventually encouraged me to pick up my knitting needles again after about 20 years!
Thank you for the description of all of your great projects. I feel better hearing that sometimes projects, patterns or yarns just don’t work the way that you want. You asked for a favorite black creator. I immediately thought of the past law creator,John Lewis. He stood tall for a man of small stature. He helped design laws to help make us a better union. He’s sorely missed right now. Hopefully we will make his legacy proud one day. Happy knitting this week and VOTE! Thank you.
My crochet friend told me about your channel, I love it! My favorite black makers would be Willie Nillie and you! I'm a new knitter and have learned several things from both of you. Thank you for talking about gauge! I have frustrated my teacher/mom more than once with gauge :)
You must be an amazingly fast knitter! 7 Stephen West shawls in 6 months! Most of us need 7 months just for one of his shawls. Great podcast! There are so many black makers that I like, but my favorite one is Black Purl Magic! Her project bags are the best!
I am so excited for a third episode! I wish you lived near me and we could be BFFs which is completely weird and parasocial but so I promise after this I'll pretend I have chill. Regarding test knits, three things: have you asked the designer if you can modify the sizing to fit your body as part of the test knit? Some people encourage it and some people, uh, do not. Which brings us to the second thing, you're allowed to say "I'm sorry, this is not going to fit my body in anything remotely resembling a wearable way." That's -useful- feedback. The designer wanted to know if the design fits as written and it does not. Third, you're allowed to bow out. You're not being paid, there's no contract, there are other knitters knitting the same size, as you've said you don't have anything to contribute to the test knit (except the feedback that, as written, the pattern does not fit your body), if they don't want you to modify it (and they can't...stop you? they're not going to come to your house and steal the half-finished garment to keep you from making modifications?) and include it in their line of preview knitters, you can bow out. If you feel guilting about getting the pattern for free, you can buy it when it comes out and if they put you on a list of test knitters to never use again...isn't that what you want, too?
My favourite black maker is quite the question. I think my most favourited black designer is Noma Ndlovu, "Bigger Than Life Knits". She's a plus size designer in South Africa who designs everything - socks, dresses, scarves, hats, shawls, pullovers, cardigans, blankets, cushion covers, rugs, blankets... Her sister models most of the project photos and she's a busty lady so I actually get to see patterns designed for a figure similar to my own which I really appreciate.
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I just found your channel thanks to Needles At The Ready!! Love your personality!! I would say my favorite black maker is Caleshia from the Quirky Monday Craftcast. She is amazing!!
Sunshine Stitchers make a weekly flosstube that I love! Congratulations on your sweater and subscribers!
I love Lola Bean her yarn is my jam. The colors are stunning. Plus I love that a cartoon character of her daughter is on the label 😍
Love your podcast. So relatable and super fun! My motto is if I’m not lovin it or digging it. It has to go. Not wasting precious crafting time when there are an infinite amount of lovely patterns to get through.
My favorite is Willie Smith of WillieNillieKnits. Such an inspiration! And remember, if you don’t like something now, you won’t like it in 20 rows. Good yarn deserves the best project (from someone who knit Twists & Turns, then frogged it because it just wasn’t my jam…😂).
People often think my stance is too much, but i honesty think if you can’t grade your pattern or have it graded, you are not ready for a knitwear design business. Same with sewing. I’m a union girlie, and it’s feels similar to when I say if you can’t pay a living wage, you aren’t a viable business 😎
My favourite Black makers are Marissa Made, TL Yarn Crafts, and Denise from Earthtones. Regarding the test knit, the goal isn’t actually to follow the pattern exactly as written. It’s to make a wearable garment. As long as you note your modifications for fit, designers are (usually) fine with changes. After all, not every pattern is necessarily written or graded correctly, and telling a designer that something just isn’t wearable is super important feedback ❤
I quickly scanned the comments and I didn't see it but OOAK - is one of a kind - I was clueless as well. I'm not that good with initialisms!
Just finished the Caledonia sweater by Sylvia Watts-Cherry a black knitwear designer from the UK. But I also love Vanessa Smith and am waiting for her new Nydia cardigan to drop.
BTW- I did not take a break when you talked about crochet and am so glad I didn’t. When you showed that mosaic crochet pillow cushion I caught my breath. I may have to take up crocheting just so I can make one. It’s beautiful!!!
I know enough crochet to do a chain and a granny square(years ago), but if RUclips helped me knit it can sure help me crochet.
Love your energy and willingness to try anything.
Thanks for having others suggest black creators- I am going thru the comments to check them out. I just looked up Noma Ndlovu and am thrilled. She looks and is shaped like me!!! So excited
(I’m a black knitter in Canada who has yet to meet in person another black knitter near me. Granted- Canada is huge👋🏽
My favorite black maker to follow is Denise Bayron of bayronhandmade. She has a beautiful, minimal aesthetic and a warm, joyous energy.
Good for you for frogging the shawl!! It’s ok to get excited about something for a bit and then not have it work out. This craft is for fun and to give us peace and joy, so don’t waste your time on what you don’t love. Hearing you encourages me to maybe frog a project that I don’t love anymore!
I have too many Black makers to list, so I will do it by category:
Crochet - Toni Lipsey of TL Yarn Crafts
Knit - Tif Neilon
Yarn - Laverne Benton of BzyPeach
Podcast besides you, Stitches and Starlight, the Makers' Notebook, and Best Day Ever! Crafting Podcast.
Congratulations on deciding to stop knitting a pattern that wasn't bringing you joy, that's the hardest part of the process. Maybe another designers shawl would be better for the colors you have or split them up across patterns and then you can wear the memory of your trip multiple times. When you swatch do you check row gauge? The answer to your yoke may in there. Also, since modal, cashmere, alpaca and silk have no memory the heavier the piece your knitting the longer it gets. BTW, you are not long winded, you're talkative, that's great for a podcast.
My favorite maker is Toni Lipsey she truly show the love she has for her craft and makes you feel included. I enjoy your podcast and only make what you love.
Congratulations on your viewership! May all the comments be loving and lovely. I am so enjoying your podcasts! I have been crocheting for a while, and decided to try to forge new pathways in an older brain by learning a new skill - knitting! And now my youngest offspring - age 3, active healthy boy child - is very interested in all things yarn and wants to learn! Listening to you is a few precious moments of calm and good humor in a hectic day. I am so glad you are creating and sharing!
Hello Sarah, I am enjoying your podcast and all your projects! I too look for patterns withsizes larger than s/m🤣🤣. Your Sophie scarf is darling as a head wrap…I want to try knitting one and wearing it as a head wrap as well! Good idea. Thank you for your giveaway…the yarn is beautiful and I hope you pick me! My favorite Black Maker of all time for me would be the Country Music legend, Charlie Pride…”Kiss and Angel Good Morning……”. ❤️. You know the one…..Happy knitting, crocheting, etc……. And Congratulations, gayle in MN.
In the knitting community, I love Hey Brown Berry. Marceline is inspiring. She knits and spins and dyes yarn. I love to listen to her. Another great podcast, Sarah.
Great to see another video, you are a natural on video, you make it appear easy.
Swatches are good for getting gauge and feel of fabric, however it is difficult to know how much it will grow because the weight of a sweater is far greater than a swatch. So swatching only tells part of the story especially with superwash yarns and acrylics. Knit what you love!🧶
My favorite maker is Toni from TL Yarn Crafts!!! Toni is fun and very knowledgeable. She got me to fall back in love with crochet. I only wanted to knit and look down my nose at crochet until her podcast. Her opinions on yarn have been most helpful on what to buy for different types of patterns. I can watch her for hours.
Stay well and safe and we, fellow knitters and crocheters enjoy you and words and the joy you have podcasting. Peace, love and great gratitude for you.
Love your podcast! My favorite maker is Sheila Anderson from Urban Girl Yarn, not only is she a talented indie dyer but a friend too!
Thanks SO much for being real! Your trunk show experience was the best! I laughed out loud when you said you screamed right in the shop! 🤣 Anyway, My favorite black maker is YOU. I simply love your energy, and I identify with you so many times! But if I'm required to name someone else it would be Brownberry. When I need "calm" she's my go-to podcast. Thanks, again!!
Love your podcast. You are a gem. Let the shawl go and frog away. If it doesn't bring you joy frog the crappers out of it and smile for the next project it is about to become. I just found Stitches and Starlight. Another gem. Funny, enjoyable and a wealth of knowledge with her spinning. Oh, and I'm on the inclusivity band wagon. Until next time ...
Thanks for mentioning Ruth...she's adorable...love her accent. More importantly, her words of faith at the end of her podcasts are very inspiring to me as a believer in Jesus.
Hi Sarah, it is lovely to see you again, beautiful sweater and suits you too. The shawls are coming along beautifully. Whatever you decide to do with the Aurora Cabin shawl, do what makes you happy. Loving the gorgeous yarn too. Have a beautiful day. ❤❤❤
I've been enjoying knitting during your podcasts. I have 5 sweater quantities of vintage Manos del Uruguay that were gifted to me during a friend's destash. It's bulky handspun wool. Manos is a not-for-profit business founded by women to give Uruguay's rural women a way of making an income. Once I knit through my friend's destash (it was a lot of yarn!) I look forward to finding similar, smaller companies working along the same lines to support.
I love that yarn, but didn’t know the backstory. Thanks for sharing!
My favorite is heyBrownBerry, she sounds so kind and welcoming that I really enjoying watching what she knits and talks about.
At this point, you are my favorite black craft maker. I enjoy your energy, creativity and delight in the process.
I only want to make the sophie scarf as a headwrap lol
My favourite black maker currently has to be you! You give such joy. If poetry is a craft, perhaps my most inspiring 'maker', black or otherwise, is Amanda Gorman. While I'm here, I just have to chime in and say if that Slipstravaganza is not giving you joy in the knitting, you will not remember the joy of your Montreal vacation when you look at it or wear it. Ripit 🐸 would be my vote (if you wanted my opinion). Find the kind of joy you give us!
Those 2 yarns would look mighty fine in my collection.😁 My favorite Black Maker would be AC Crochets. She makes some fabulous fashion forwards designs and I just love everything she does.
Ooooooh! For the givaway, my favorite black maker, and one of my favorite youtubers in general, is Minnie Small. She's an *amazing* artist and video maker- like her video production quality is just 🤌. She is so soothing as well, and has stellar music taste, at least for her soundtracks. Just everything about her is classy classy classy. She hasn't uploaded in a bit 😭 but she dod get married a few months ago so I can't be too mad.
You totally deserve the shoutouts, you're so fun to watch and listen to, really natural in front of the camera.
OOAK is One Of A Kind :) Everything isn't for everyone and we are so fortunate to have so many patterns to choose from to knit for our changing and different body shapes. Your sweater is gorgeous!
I have three favorites because I can’t pick between them! TL Yarn Crafts is one. I am so inspired by her crochet and want to learn so many things. Stitches and Starlight is another. I really enjoy her energy and style of explaining and teaching. Definitely going to be trying out spinning my own yarn here soon because I’ve been influenced to learn how by her. I also really love your podcasts. I love how realistic you are with your projects and knowing what works for you and what doesn’t. Even if it means ripping out a project to work on something else. Thank you for sharing your crafting! I’m way excited for you and the milestones you are reaching on your podcast! I’ve been here since the start and can’t wait to see where else you go and what you do. Happy crafting!
My favorite maker from the African American community is Betty Washington Greene. I worked as a lab tech for a major chemical company in one of their polymer divisions. I found her looking for women who have made a difference in polymer chemistry. As a woman in a traditionally male field, she was very inspiring for me! I am nowhere near her level, having only a bachelor's degree, but every bit of inspiration is precious.
Lovely to see what you've been up to. Your Twists and Turns shawl is EPIC. 🤩 Thought I was happy giving that one a miss, but may have to reconsider.... I'd like to recommend a terrific UK hand-dyer Lola from Third Vault Yarns to you, think her colour sense would be up your street. The Julie Asselin colourway Pixelated that you showed reminded me of some yarn of Lola's that I''ve been saving for just the right project. Happy stitching 💚
That sweater turned out a treat. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve forgotten to wash my swatch, had it come back to bite me, and then FORGET TO WASH THE SWATCH on the next one.
Great episode! I couldn't agree more about frogging if the project doesn't bring you joy. Denise Bayron is one of my favorite black makers. Her aesthetic is so classic.
Such a brilliant, cheerful and friendly podcast again! Thank you. I am very envious of the way you jump in and give brioche knitting and mosaic crochet a go. My favourite black maker is Lola of Third Vault Yarns. Such beautiful colours! 😊
Hi again, Soo, my fav Black Maker for Black History Month is Denise Williams. She's a New Yorker from Brooklyn and she creates one-of-a-kind handmade cards. She loves to focus on the Zodiac and weaves that into as many ways as she can.
That's my fav. Happy Craft'n! By the way, you be hav'n me laugh'n out loud, for real for some of the things you say. Until next time!
I adore Willie Smith, I found him in a reel and just started following. He's a terrific teacher! Greetings from Central NJ, ❤️
Hi Sarah. You crack me up! I don’t have a favorite black maker. I can’t choose between Denise from Earthtones Girl and Toni Lipsey go TLYarnCrafts. They are both fantastic and funny. And you are definitely in their realm. I really enjoy your podcasts while I am working on a project. I knit and crochet and sew a little, too. You have scared me a little with the Aurora Cabin Shawl. I was going to do Twist and Turns as my first Stephen West project, but changed my mind when I saw some of them. Yours is beautiful. I’m working on ‘second socks’ and a baby blanket right now, but will be getting to the Aurora soon. Thanks for sharing yourself with us. I am looking forward to your next video! ❤❤
You are quite something😄 I loved the episode (I don't know how I missed #2, but I did and have to go find it) and really appreciated your thoughts/comments on inclusivity, sizing and the shout outs to some great makers (hooray for Wool Needles Hands and Maressa Made!) who also give great content AND have super personalities.
Totally agree with you on the shawl issue: why work on anything you don't enjoy if you actually have a choice? Rip it out and use the yarn for something else you WILL love.
Looking forward to the next episode 😊
[And my favorite black knitter --- if forced to choose --- would probably be the lovely Marce of Hey Brown Betty. She has such an engaging, warm, welcoming personality. She makes such gorgeous things. And I always feel as if I have been encouraged and refreshed after watching her.]
Hi! I’m Kristin from Wyandotte, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, right along the Detroit River. My favorite black maker would have to be Rosa Parks. Not only was she a seamstress, she help to create, make, if you will, a very large role for women in the Civil Rights Movement. She moved to Detroit shortly after her historic protest and the bus she made her “sit” (rather than stand) in is in The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. What a brave maker, woman, leader, and mother she was!
My favorite maker is Toni Lipsey. The crochet square you did was beautiful!!
My favorite black maker is TL Yarn Crafts! She "hooked" me into the fiber arts and I've been obsessed with knitting and crochet ever since.
OAN: I literally gasped when you showed that mosaic crochet pillow and my husband looked up and said "Are you okay?".. HAHA.. NO, I was not okay. So beautiful!
My favourite maker is from Stitches and Starlight. She’s so knowledgeable. Great podcast.
I love your energy! Perfect podcast for a pick me up when needed 🙂
Favorite black makers would be a tie between stitches and starlight, such an amazing spinner. Makes me almost think about picking up spinning, but I hardly have time to knit these days let alone another craft. And then Maressa made. She is so funny and genuine. Plus those color choices 🤩
Life it too short to knit anything you don't love! And to knit it with yarn you don't love? That is just wrong on so many levels. Oh, and you have sold me on Stephen West. Just like you, I don't knit "popular" patterns/designers because of some inner rebel. But what you have shown me of his designs, I am now a convert...you got me!
thank you for talking about (the lack of) size inclusivity in the knitting community! as a fat knitter i totally understand the feelings that come with wanting to knit a popular pattern and it doesn't go up to a size that will fit. it's so important to be talking about so again, i really appreciate you taking the time to discuss it on your platform :)
The fact that I literally just watched your first two episodes yesterday, and now you post! The knitting gods look upon me with kindness. Can't wait to see what yarny shenanigans you've gotten into this time. Perhaps another Steven West shawl cast on? 😆
Also, as a plus size person, really feel you on the body positivity thing. So so SO many patterns that I miss out on because they don't come in my size, and i'm on the smaller side of the plus size spectrum (so much worse for people even bigger than me). It already makes knitting harder because I have to spend more money on yarn since I can't make a whole sweater out of like 3 skeins. So to have patterns be an issue as well has at times made me want to stop knitting entirely. It isn't fun to spend hours scrolling through ravelry, think you've found the perfect pattern only to see the biggest size is a L or XL. Glad that's slowly changing but it's definitely hard.
Spot on!
Wonderful episode and all of your reasons for your purchases make perfect sense to me! 😇 I’m a hit and miss swatcher, but I find that the more that I knit the more I have a sense of what’s going to work. If I’m afraid that something might block out to be too big, I don’t soak it, I steam block it by putting a very wet tea towel over the sweater and then skimming my iron over the towel to create a lot of steam. I love to listen to and learn from Hey Brown Berry (Marceline Smith) and Earthtone’s Girl (Denise DeSantis). They both create a welcoming space and are so encouraging, which is greatly appreciated.
My favourite black maker is actually my French press and I can’t do without.. but as we are talking about crafting, knitting and crochet I’d mention Tif Neilan, Vanessa Smith, Tony Lipsey, Jeanette Sloan and Brandi Harper and.. there are so many I like 😊
What a lovely podcast Sarah - my favourite black makers include, but are not limited to ....... Denise, Earthtonesgirl - Gaye Gallepsie, GGMadeIt - Jonah Hands (young crochet wizkid) and Toni TL Yarn Crafts. You looked relieved to have made the decision to frog that shawl, life is too short to knit things you're not totally in love with.
You are such a delight!! I thoroughly enjoy your humor and life stories!! 😅
I learned something new about swatches…they lie!! 😂😂😂😂
Hello lovely lady! I am late to the show, but must tell you again how much I have enjoyed this episode! You crack me up, being as funny and witty as you are! I agree, frog the shawl if you don't enjoy it. I am sure you will find a lovely replacement so you can still knit your travel/Montreal-shawl! ;) I might be too late, but my favorite black maker is Lisa Aisato, her illustrations are just so beautiful, they make me smile and humble. Best wishes from Bavaria (ITS COLD HERE!!!!!)
I love to listen to Denise from Earth Tones Girl. Her gentle voice and wonderful makes are inspirational. Love your podcast. 😊
Lovely episode! One of my favorite black makers is Queens Yarn Boutique. I love the way she dyes yarn.
For the black yarn an idea: Sorrel by wool and pine. Hopefully not too deep a yolk, definitely not a Ninilchik Swancho LOL. -- But I doubt it would be a size one needle since it would be sport-ish weight. OOAK is One Of A Kind. Loved seeing your finished twists and turns- your last episode made me pick mine back up from Christmas knitting. Thanks for the inspiration. Good luck with all the steven west shawls.
Black history month shout-out --- Miss Purl in south side Chicago is a shop owner who has amazing makes- Stop by and pick up some yarn if anyone is in the Evergreen area. TL Yarn crafts got me into crochet- Toni is fantastic, and Bisa Butler makes AMAZING works of art with quilt materials. Stunning!!!
Hi I really enjoy your podcast but also stitches and starlight is great 👍 and yes Ruth loves to knit is very sweet ❤
Your stories are priceless! Love your sense of humor and your knit creations.
My favourite Black maker (you're a new contender!) is Earthtones Girl, Denise! She's a beautiful knitter and even more beautiful person :) The 2-strand sweater is lovely. | wouldn't have thought to pair that pale grey with the multi yarn. As for the shawl you want to 'frog'...seeing it for the 2nd time, I think the colours still suit you but the pattern is just too busy. And it reminds me of a honeycomb for some reason, lol. I think you can find a pattern to utilize the yarn to still have a nice Montreal memory shawl. Excited to see the 3rd episode posted! Wishing you all the best from Canada!!!
Jill Wolcott offers classes on Grading patterns! She's terrific and anyone who has tried to design patters really needs solid grading skills. Also most designers design for their own size. So if you are looking at a 'larger' knitting, she'll primarily design for her own size first.
Phylena knits is my favorite. Glad to see your channel growing. You’re so fun.
I've been binge watching your 3 episodes today while knitting! It's a quite intense snowy day here in Montreal, perfect to stay cozy at home. You convinced me of doing the YAL from Stephen West. It opens tomorrow and I was still hesitating, can't wait now! I have to mention Toni from TL Yarn Crafts, she gave me back the courage to dive into Tunisian crochet and I can't thank her enough. Love your channel, it was great to listen to you. Looking forward to your next episode!
Hello from Edinburgh! I love your podcast! Is it weird that I feel that essentially we're in conversation and occasionally answer back to the telly? 🤣 Sometimes my husband will wander in while you're on and watch too. He is not a knitter, but appreciates the finery of the craft.
My favourite Black maker is my grandmother. She's was a dressmaker in her prime, amongst many other jobs, and still knits when arthritis allows. She talks about having made beautiful wedding dresses for clients back in the 60s and 70s, soon after she had settled in the UK from Barbados 🇧🇧.
You are continually a delight to spend an afternoon with while I knit! Thank you for speaking about size inclusivity. It is never fun seeing a cute pattern and realizing it doesn't come in your size. My favorite black maker is Dana from Yards of Happiness. She is local to me and I always secretly hope I will someday get to see her (and her glorious sweaters) in person.
Love how your sweater turned out!!!
I love your back-lit shelving featured behind. Most effective backdrop for a knit you tube I've seen. The "Snowy Forest" sweater pattern features models wearing it with tons of positive ease. I'm not sure you would be any happier wearing the sweater like that. The positive ease and yarn weight question best for each person is a huge and very interesting thing to look at!!
Thank you so much! I wasn’t expecting it to work but I’m glad it does since there’s no other spot available 🤣 I do think the positive ease issue is a tricky one. It seems that oversized clothing is / was having a moment with Japanese designers and fashion folks. Not a good look on me but it does look fantastic in certain folks.
Another great episode! My favorite Black maker would have to be N.K. Jemisin - her books are always a delight to read, esp. because of all of the worldbuilding she puts into them.
Yeah last weekend was so cold. I did nothing but sleep under a heated blanket. I did watch Alisha from Littlejohns yarn. Just love her livestreams. And her patterns are so cute and easy to make.
Hi Sarah, I don’t want to make Ruth jealous, 😅but I live right outside of Madison and also just purchased Evergreen Suri alpaca in the Lupine color way! Small world. My favorite black maker is Denise Bayron. I met her at Stitches West, and she was also lovely in person. Thanks for taking the time to put your knitting out in the world. Jeanette
Haha I think I know exactly what pattern you were ranting about and it is super cute but I was also very shocked when I saw the size options! 🍃
Love your podcast, you're a breath of fresh air and everything you have made/are making is lovely! I'm watching from tropical Australia where we only get about a week of winter per year and that is at a temperature I'm sure you would still think is quite warm...and I have just taken up knitting...what an idiot 😂
You are my favourite black maker at this point in time but before I found you I would have said Toni from TL yarn crafts...who is still lovely but I don't crochet anymore! 😂 I'm looking forward to adding more makers to my subscribe and check out lists with the suggestions on these comments! Happy Knitting (and crocheting) 🧶😊
Hi! I'm the Raveler that messaged you about the Black Girl Nerd Queendom. I know that the Hirose was a lot of work, but you look curvy and fabulous in it. Love your T&T, especially the colors. Now I want to make the Log Aurora Stephen West Cabin thingie (in different colors). the crochet mosaic overlay is gorgeous. Makes me want to pick up my hooks for a more involved project than dishcloths or the occasional blanket. And my favorite Black maker ... currently I am LOVING Michael aka Piece4PeaceCrafting.
Your podcast is truly inspirational…….Tif Neilan would be one of my favorite designers……really enjoy her patterns…….Your snowy forest is amazing….so happy that you stayed with it …….
Earthtones Girl is one of my favorites along with the Drunk Knitter. Thanks so much for your latest installment. You’re doing a wonderful job. I love listening to you while I knit.
Black sheep knitter of course is my favorite black maker. Keep up the great podcast! Congratulations !!
Loving your twist and turns shawl, that pink is chefs kiss 😍
Also that lento combination, I am excited to see finished. That yarn combo is STUNNING!
I do not want to trigger anyone, so I will keep my answer brief for the giveaway. I am currently reading Hidden in Plain View. So my favourite black crafters are Mrs. Ozella McDaniel Williams and the story she shares about the crafters in this book. The ingenuity and bravery, I am in awe.
Glad to catch your third episode. Sharing your thought process on modifying your deep-yoke Snowy Forest sweater to fit without that sinking wardrobe-malfunction sensation led me to more carefully scrutinize designs that I think I love on paper. All those lush bulky top-down sweaters of the moment. Layering is what works best in my life. Deep armholes with lots of bulk under the arm: not great for layering. Won’t fit under a coat or my rain shell. So, yeah, given that I sewed garments before learning to knit, and sewing up sleeves seems normal to me, I’ll knit those big-yoke sweaters sparingly for lounging around indoors.
Your Snowy Forest looks great-worth all the effort you took to make it fit to your liking.
Thanks for your observations about fit & grading patterns, too.
Carry on!
Girl!!!! Your crochet!!!! Oh my word👏👏👏
Your twist and turns shawl is lovely with your finish.
Well, you are just awesome, so that is why you are now being watched by the great knitting masses !
As much as I don't like to differentiate because people are people, but you asked for my favorite
Black creator and the first that came to my mind was EARTHTONES GIRL my sock guru. She is not only a delightful person to listen to , but a fabulous teacher as well.
And I have to agree with Betty S, if you aren't gonna love that shawl then why waste the time?
I'm glad to see you back! On the subject of test knitting, I modify EVERYTHING. I'm tall and pear shaped and I need a deeper yoke, so I really need to. I've only test knit once, and I found that the time constraint took the fun out of knitting for me, especially as a larger human being, but I really appreciate those who do. Two recent patterns that I've knit had big math errors in my size. One I fixed, the other that hot the WIP added to a time out. It definitely has value!
Favorite black artist is Adrian Piper
Another great episode!. My favourite so far would be Denise, Earth Tones Girl. She has taught me to make socks!!!.
Another fabulous episode!🙂 My favorite is probably Tammy from Cinematic Skeins. She's a small indie dyer from Texas, I believe. She's got some great colorways!
I was really looking forward to the third episode. Thanks for another fabulous one! You bring so much joy and fun into your videos, no surprise that you hit the milestone.
If YOU don't feel the project, just frog it! There are so many gorgeous projects waiting for you to knit that there's no reason to waste your knitting time onto something that doesn't bring you joy!
My favorite black maker is Tazhi from Stitches & Starlight podcast.
Sorry, I'm not cohesive at all in my comment :) Best wishes from Spain!
Hello! Up front I wanted to say my favourite black maker is Denise, Earthtones Girl. She is a master at everything to do with socks, and I always learn so much from her. I heard about your podcast from several people, and now that I've seen this episode, I NEED to watch the first two! It's funny when you mentioned Ruth Loves To Knit, because I find you have similar vibes. You both say whats on your mind and in your heart, and I love that. I feel your pain when it comes to sweater yokes. I have to rip back to early yoke on my Skylights Sweater because everything turned out way too big! I picked the smallest size, which is 45 inches, after 12 inches of positive ease. I'm 5 feet tall, and that look just is not for me. But I love the yarn combo and the pattern! So, I'll be ripping back, and if there is anything left of the aran weight single ply plus strand of mohair/silk, I'm going to do the math for the raglan increases so I end up with the look of the beautiful yarn and pattern but not the width. It doesn't help that I listened to the owner of my LYS when I bought the yarn a year ago, who I respect and appreciate, when she promised me I'd only need 5 balls of the aran weight, and I have less than 1 ball left after doing the sleeves (sewn bind off!) and about 2 inches of the body. There was more yarn there, I could have bought more! 🤦♀️😥 So, I don't have a word of the year, but a phrase of my lifetime. "I will never regret buying (more) yarn, but I will always regret NOT buying (more) yarn." Anyway, I can't wait to see your next podcast! FYI I did watch all in one sitting. 😁💗
Great episode! A favorite Black maker currently is Denise from Earthtones Girl, she's so kind and genuine and her enthusiasm is contagious. On your comment about test knitting not being a possibility for you if you can't modify designs: I hope you don't give up on it! A designer whose design 1) doesn't work for or is modifiable for different body types and 2) isn't open to test knitters modifying at least slightly to fit their bodies is not listening to the community's needs. That information would be an asset to others who want to make the pattern and have similar needs. I can understand designers not wanting drastic changes that could have negative results on the look or are so drastic they no longer look like the same design, but you shouldn't have to knit twice to make it fit you. That's frustrating. I've had a somewhat similar situation with a test knit where the designer literally wouldn't allow you to size down a needle for ribbing bc it wasn't in the pattern even though I always size down 1-2 needles for ribbing because that's how I get neat ribbing and it's never negatively affected fit and it makes a neater result 🙄. All that to say I've also had designers who are great about small modifications and also creating a healthy environment and it's a joy to be a part of! Maybe ask a couple questions if you're interested in testing again to see if it's likely to be a good fit. Also: test knitters really shouldn't be catching many mistakes. There can be a few but it shouldn't be many at all. Another primary purpose is promoting the pattern by people seeing it knit up in different sizes and benefiting from anything testers have learned - about understanding the pattern and also modifications like length that might work the pattern work for them.
Great podcast!! Your garments are beautiful and I applaud you for finishing the latest SW MKAL-. I started it, hated it, never went back to it. I definitely agree with making only what brings you joy. And I was thrilled for you when the grocery girls shouted you out this week, yay!❤❤
Okay, I have binged your first 3 podcasts, and there's a give away!?! Until I stumbled upon you, my favorite black maker has been Tara of tlyarn. She is so encouraging and uplifting. And now you! Down to earth, and now I don't feel bad for having more than one project on the needles and hooks at a time.
Oh wow! The Snowey Forest looks great on you. Congrats on your perseverance - it really paid off.