Since I was last here there has been a lot going on in the knitting community; a lot of discussion, a lot of confusion and a huge amount of emotion – all of it centered around racism. There have been a growing number of voices who have had the courage to speak and share personal experiences and who have really fuelled discussions with their raw honesty. They must now be exhausted by the amount of focus that this has brought them – both in dealing with negative comments/abuse and with the volume of people wanting to talk further, ask for advice or to just show support.
If you’re a regular ravelry user or use instagram to follow other knitters or designers then you will no doubt have already come across this on-going exploration of racism in the knitting world. I have nothing insightful to add to the discussion, I am still grappling with my own uncomfortable feelings that a community that I receive warmth, friendship and support from, and am an active part of, can make others feel unwelcome, excluded or persecuted merely on the basis of their skin colour.
I’m not writing here in order to instruct you on your own choices or actions, I have absolutely no credentials on that front, and I’m not writing about this to invite debate or discussion – there are other forums for that, if that is what you wish to take part in. Instead I simply wanted to share some of the resources that I’ve been reading and have been finding helpful with my own thoughts. If the thought that the knitting world is not as cosy and safe and loving to some as it is to others troubles you too, you might want to explore what steps you can personally take to be a part of change. Taking the first step could begin very simply with searching out more information and reading some of the personal accounts with empathy.
When each of us takes an individual step towards making the spaces that we share (whether they be on-line or physical spaces), as welcoming and friendly and representative to everyone who would like to enter them, collectively we will form a more diverse, dynamic and creative community.
So, a few links that I’ve found helpful (and I know these are very limited but lots of you who visit here have previously said that you don’t use instagram, and if you follow the links you’ll find more links…):
Reading Assignments – some background to why this is being talked about now, by Hunter Hammersen
Racism and inclusion in the yarn community, Ravelry
5 initial ways you can be a better ally to people of colour, by Savonne Anderson
Black people do knit article by Jeanette Sloan
POC designers and crafters list by Jeanette Sloan
Resource list by Louiselynda (this is quite comprehensive)
Thanks so much for reading x
(The picture above is an old one, but it seemed apt)
little cotton rabbits 
Thank you for this Julie…it is a cause of very great sorrow to me that fellow knitters and crafters don’t receive and experience the love and support that I have had over sixty+ years in the knitting community..thanks for the links…I think it’s time for me to stand alongside all my sisters and brothers and be counted on this one….and I will. For me, the only place that colour matters is on the needles…not in the hands that hold them.
Love
Jenni
xxx
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Luckily, I haven’t been engaged in this. I choose to live in a world of humans. I approach my fellow humans as individuals. I’m interested in your story. If knitting is the common ground, how fun is that. I am not on this earth for long. None of us are. I refuse to feed a culture of divisiveness and anger. I continue to have a grateful heart, open mind, and welcoming arms…. and clicking knitting needles. As my Jack’s favourite song states… We’re all in this together. I wish gentler days, welcoming ways and embracing intentions to all. ❤️
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Thank you, Julie. You considered your words so carefully, thoughtfully and with such a generous heart. I have not experienced this issue in my close or online knitting community and am saddened to hear of it. Yesterday, I finished a Little Cotton Rabbit bunny boy with blue dungarees and his own sweet little rabbit toy in the pocket. He is both white and brown – together – in harmony – as it should be. Sending you and yours high regards from snowy Maine, USA. fondly, Christie
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It certainly has been eye opening, shocking and sad that this has been the case!
V x
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Beautifully said, Jenni and Julie! You have spoken my heart as have many others ~
Blessings and love to all ~
Heart-hugs of gratitude in countless ways,
Louise
xxx
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I find this alarming and sad that such racism exists. At the end of the day we are human beings and that is all that should matter. Thank you for the links Julie x
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I was just pondering the need of little kids taken captive at the southern US border for toys of comfort when I opened your blog post for today and found this conversation going on. I can’t believe my eyes. I also can’t find specific examples and will be looking online to see what this is all about.
Back to the need for toys, it was just a pleasure to find here a photo of your tiny animals and realize that they just might fit the bill. Just a tiny thing like one of these might give a child a bit of warmth in a cruel world. And I know from conversations with a Guatemalan friend of mine that Guatemalans on the whole are fond of the diminutive. So tiny bears, rabbits and mice might fit for that reason as well. A little pocket friend.
So, with your blessing, I am going to write Ravelry today and see if they might highlight your design so other knitters might take on the task of making some for this purpose. Not sure where to send them yet but will be looking around the internet today.
I had been making your little blue birds to hand to friends who needed a lift – you know, a blue bird of happiness – till I suddenly realized how much they reminded me of Twitter birds. That put me off making more till the leader of our country goes away somehow and/or quits using that platform. Or maybe I should keep making them but add little “speech bubbles” saying “Be kind to others” or something along those lines.
Thank you for all the warmth your work adds to my world,
Liz
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How very sad, I had no idea, and there is certainly no place for that in the yarn / crafting communities. A well handled post Julie. CJ xx
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Thank you for your post and the links you’ve shared. I will definitely be following them up. I first became aware of this conversation via a comment left on a yarn and pattern company’s Instagram that is based in my city. My first thought was, “Oh no, not here too!” I think it’s because I’m American and feel that society is already so topsy turvy, I didn’t want to believe racism has pervaded our worldwide knitting community. The thought of knitters not being inclusive seems so strange to me…which is a sure sign of my privilege. I’m hopeful that recognition and acknowledgment will be the beginning of change for the better.
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What a wonderfully appropriate post on the day we’re celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” I love your little bears Julie, each one as special and beautiful as the next. 😌
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Well said Julie. I’ve done a bit of reading around the subject, but I keep coming back to the same thought…..why can’t human beings just be kind to each other? I’ve been shocked and sickened by the vitriol displayed by a small minority of people, particularly on IG. They have said things they certainly would not have voiced in the ‘real world’, and whatever the subject, I find it offensive but mostly, very sad, that they feel they can act this way to another person.
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Thank you for your insight and the links Julie. X
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Thank you for this post. I don’t feel like I’m smart enough to hash out what all is and has been going on. Your links are very helpful.
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I was completely unaware of any of this going on in the knitting community. There are currently over 8 million members on Ravelry worldwide – every race/color imaginable. So many gifted knitters of every culture bring diverse needlework skills which enrich us all.
I have seen some politically themed projects aimed at Trump (for and mostly against). The comments have been quite nasty at times and therefore quickly (and wisely) disabled by the Ravelry police. I think there are enough other venues for expressing political views. I’d like to keep the knitting and crochet websites friendly to all. I live in probably the most diverse area of the entire world – the San Francisco Bay Area. When you are surrounded by people of every race, color, religion and sexual orientation, it’s easy to see what great value each individual brings to the mix.
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I agree with you, CJ, but would extend it to say no place in any community! I live in one of the most culturally diverse towns in that most culturally diverse country, Australia: including a very large Indigenous population. Whilst there are undoubtedly racist people in our community, ours celebrates its diversity in so many ways every day, for which I am thankful. We are all richer for it.
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Good advice to start being kind and inclusive on a personal level. I’ve found the best way to make a difference is to start being a better person myself. Thanks Julie for your example to me of charity and humility. You’re such a nice person! So glad we’re friends.
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Whoops, sorry, I misspoke. The “Bluebird of Happiness” is a Sara Elizabeth Kellner (of Rabbit Hole Knits) design but you two could certainly be knitting soulmates!
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Thoughtful post and comments..”the only concern about color should be on our needles”…certainly awareness should be raised on this issue but I feel that the knitting community is my refuge from an often divided and vitriolic world…certainly something to think about but I hope this doesn’t become “political” and that we can maintain our positiveness and support for each other as knitting friends who all have the same passion…that in and of itself is a great equalizer!!
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Well said Julie sad really I haven’t come across this problem as I don’t read outs of different blogs only ones I choose as for colour the only one that’s important is choice of your wool colour.
Hope you all well love to Toby x
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