If you’re anything like us, you’ve been a lot of time online trying to find resources to help learn how to be a better anti-racism ally. The fibre community has tons of it’s own issues with racism, othering, exclusion, and many others that we need to work hard to improve. So many of us are new to sitting with our discomfort in this way, and we have found some really great resources out there that have helped to expand our fibre-related experiences.
First, Hypothesis Yarns of Nova Scotia has been filling her Instagram feed with tons of beautiful yarn made by black yarn dyers. Go check out her grid and bring some new beauty in to your feed.
We looked around and couldn’t find a good comprehensive list of black knit- and crochet-wear designers, so we’ve decided to start our own here. Below are some fabulous knit and crochet designers along with a few samples of their work. They are in alphabetical order, so make sure you get to the bottom and enjoy your new favourite designers! We had some help finding these names from Jeanette Sloan’s BIPOC in Fiber, but this list is by no means complete. Feel free to add to it by commenting below or sending us an email.
Kunbi Ayo-Okanlawon
handmadebykunbi.com
Angela Best
La Vonne’s Knot Just Knits
Tian Connaughton
tianconnaughton.com
Tammy Gore
Narrow Path Designs
Brandi Harper
brandicheyenneharper.com
Lola Johnson
thirdvaultyarns.com
Rebecca McKenzie
@ragingpurlwind
Natalie, Detroit Knots
detroitknots.wordpress.com
Arica Presinal
skeinsnsticksdesigns.com
Jeanette Sloan
jeanettesloandesign.com
Marceline Smith
youtube.com/c/heyBrownBerry
Vanessa Smith
vanessasmithdesigns.com
Safiyya Talley
thedrunkknitter.com
Diane Ugo
mrsumakes.blogspot.com
Vincent Williams
visuvioscrafts.com
Dana Williams-Johnson
yardsofhappiness.com
Gavriella Treminio
HelloGavriella.com
It’s so enlightening to see so many beautiful crafted items created by Black Women🤗 I crochet mostly bedspreads however, I’ve made a few hat and scarf sets and baby blankets. I’m really looking forward to learning the process of crocheting clothing. Thanks for being available☺️ If you’d like you can see my work on Instagram!