EPISODE TWENTY TWO :: Brandi Harper of purlBknit - The "Happy Hustle" of working in Fibre + Notes on Ethnicity in Craft

The Close Knit podcast showcases artists, designers, and makers from all over the world who work with fibre in its many forms. Knitters, spinners, sewers, textile artists - all will be celebrated on the Close Knit podcast.

In episode 22 of the Close Knit Podcast, I spoke to Brandi Harper of purlBknit. Brandi is a knitter and lover of natural fibers who lives in Brooklyn. We cover the usual podcast topics, but Brandi and I took a little bit of a different angle with this podcast episode. It occurred to me recently that my podcast guests, whilst varied in their craft forms, mainly have come from a similar ethnic background. I want to use the podcast as a way to hold space for people of all backgrounds, and especially voices that are not typically heard from in the craft community.  

I loved getting to hear Brandi's thoughts on the topics that are not usually vocalised in this community - and I'm going to leave it at that and let this podcast episode speak for itself - I'd highly recommend giving it a listen! 

Brandi's biggest bit of advice:

"find people on youtube that you really connect with in terms of their teaching style, their video aesthetic. 

Rent books from the library, buying books can get super expensive and you don’t know that the book will answer the questions you have. if you can use natural fibers, if you can use wool." 

People/ Things we mentioned in the podcast:

• Purl soho
• verypinkknits
• karen templar - she gives away so much knowledge, she’s talented, always creating new work
• stephen west

Find Brandi: website | instagram 

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Like what you're hearing? 

Awesome! I'm glad you've found your way to this podcast. Please feel free to subscribe, leave a review on iTunes (this makes all the difference to reaching more people!) and share with your loved ones. Thanks for tuning in.

Until next time! 

xx

Ani

EPISODE THIRTEEN :: Rhiannon Owens - The Next Step - Finding and Celebrating Sustainability in Craft

The Close Knit podcast showcases artists, designers, and makers from all over the world who work with fibre in its many forms. Knitters, spinners, sewers, textile artists - all will be celebrated on the Close Knit podcast.

In this Episode of the Close Knit Podcast, I chat to Rhi Owens of The Next Step. Rhi is a versatile crafter who knits, sews, crochets, and more. She's a prolific knitwear designer of clothes for women and children. We talk about Rhi's love of natural fibres and dyes, and how her family lineage of crafters has influence how and why she crafts. As a sewist, Rhi uses the process to create garments that truly fit her, and we discuss how empowering that relationship can be. I cannot recommend Rhi's blog highly enough for resources for sustainable and ethical fibres, as well as some really inspiring blog interviews. 

Rhi tells us about how empowering she finds making her own clothes - having the ability to make shapes that are for your own body and fit you perfectly - and what impact it's had on her own relationship to her body. 

She is really excited about the slow fashion movement and minimalism in craft and how it is gaining momentum. This interest led Rhi to start The Next Step - a directory of fibres and fabrics that are ethically and sustainably made, with price points listed to make it easy for folk to find the fibres that suit their needs.

Her grandmother is an artist and crafter throughout her life, and she taught her daughters who taught their children (rhi included). All of her aunites are creative and work with fibre in some way, she always made her own stuff. Her mother always said to her, "you can make that yourself" and that's become something of a family mantra. 

3 generations of crafters :) 

Rhi mainly sews and knits - though she sews not for the love of the process, but the love of the finished product, and for knitting its both the process and the final outcome. She buys op shopped sheets to make dresses for herself and her daughter. 

Rhi's biggest bit of advice? 

"Buy quality, because when you've got a supply that is really special to you... you really want to do a good job with that so you will put in the extra effort and Google the tutorials that you need, and make sure that you do a really good job with it.... The other this is to surround yourself with as many people who make as possible, whether that's online or in real life, that will be really inspiring, and will get you through those tough beginner times" 

"and with knitting using natural fibres because they hide a multitude of sins" 

People/ Things we mentioned in the podcast:

• Knit FM Podcast - Pam Allen and Hannah Fetig's Podcast in which they discuss tons of cool stuff related to knitting, but we referenced the episode about linen fibres. 
• Andy Sutherland - Agatha Cardigan - Rhi's first knitting project (!!) 
• Danielle - lunarknits - taught Ani about the magic of blocking 
• fav blog - the craft sessions, Felicia has excellent practical advice for making quality but also making lots of kids' clothes. Rhi loves the stash less project and her simple sewing posts. Definitely read her post on slow fashion. 
• Seamwork Podcast - craft as healing, and making clothes that fit your body
• Pomcast from the makers of PomPom Mag
• Natural Dyers: Gregoria Fibers and Fern Fiber
• LollyMolly Sweets - Rhi's aunite who dyes and handspins 

Find Rhi: instagram | website

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• Subscribe: Itunes or Pocket Casts

Like what you're hearing? 

Awesome! I'm glad you've found your way to this podcast. Please feel free to subscribe, leave a review on iTunes (this makes all the difference to reaching more people!) and share with your loved ones. Thanks for tuning in.

Until next time! 

xx

EPISODE NINE :: Sky Carter of Sky Carter Colour - Experimental Weaving, Playing with Colour, and Practicing Art Full Time

The Close Knit podcast showcases artists, designers, and makers from all over the world who work with fibre in its many forms. Knitters, spinners, sewers, textile artists - all will be celebrated on the Close Knit podcast.

Sky is a market hunter bargain hunter and loves sourcing different and unique materials for her weavings. In this episode, she talks about how she's learned to outsource certain parts of her process to be able to do the creative work - outsourcing the things that are time consuming and don't contribute to her joy. She keeps her outsourcing local - for practicality's sake and for the community. 

We chat about fibre art and how it fits into the traditional "art" world - and specifically how weaving fits in, how she sources materials and how she figures out how to price her work and communicate that to the world.

Sky's background in interiors and her love of colour has brought her to a point where she sells her work in interior shops. 

People/ Things we mentioned in the podcast:

• Kustaa Saksi - the fibre artist Sky is most excited about - he uses jacquard looms to make wall hangings 
• Natalie Miller Design - Her chandelier installations in Hong Kong - she shared her process here - the physical pain involved with the installation process, and other insights into her process.
• Thousand Wave - weaver that does kooky and colourful textural wearable art that her grandma models
• El Anatsui - the artist Sky has been most interested in and inspired by - Ghanaian sculptor. learn more about them here .

Find Sky: instagram | facebook | website 

Want more? 

• Subscribe: Itunes or Pocket Casts

Like what you're hearing? 

Awesome! I'm glad you've found your way to this podcast. Please feel free to subscribe, leave a review on iTunes (this makes all the difference to reaching more people!) and share with your loved ones. Thanks for tuning in.

Until next time! 

xx

Ani 

EPISODE THREE :: Laura Taylor of School of Hard Knots - Balancing Work and Craft, Digging Deeper and Sticking With It

The Close Knit podcast showcases artists, designers, and makers from all over the world who work with fibre in its many forms. Knitters, spinners, sewers, textile artists - all will be celebrated on the Close Knit podcast.

This episode I met up with Laura Taylor of School of Hard Knots. I met Laura through my usual creepy Instagram lurking, and now we hang out and have natural dyeing experiments. I'm so inspired by Laura's modern approach to crochet and knitting, and I love her easy-to-follow crochet videos. 

People/ Things we mentioned in the podcast:

• The Makery/Work-Shop (where Laura teaches her classes) 
• Caitlin Murray (Raglan St Wears - episode one of the Close Knit Podcast) 
• Purl Soho - sewing/knitting/crochet design inspiration 

Find Laura: website | instagram | facebook 

Want more? 

• Subscribe: Itunes or Pocket Casts

Like what you're hearing? 

Awesome! I'm glad you've found your way to this podcast. Please feel free to subscribe, leave a review on iTunes (this makes all the difference to reaching more people!) and share with your loved ones. Thanks for tuning in.

Until next time! 

xx

Ani 

EPISODE TWO :: Kylie Walsh of We Heart the Arts - Learning the art of Wrapping and Finding your Community

The Close Knit podcast showcases artists, designers, and makers from all over the world who work with fibre in its many forms. Knitters, spinners, sewers, textile artists - all will be celebrated on the Close Knit podcast.

This episode, I caught up with Kylie Walsh of We Heart the Arts. Kylie is a curator, creative retail space manager, and event organiser. She works with fibre in her practice of "wrapping" - which we'll talk about in the podcast. This past year, she's gotten into weaving - check out some of her work below. 

 a weaving of kylie's 

One of Kylie's "wrappings" over a jar - now housing a plant 

Photos by: Ani Lee, Kylie Walsh 

People/things we mentioned in the podcast:

• Liz Payne - embroiderer
• Laura Taylor, School of Hard Knots (also ep.3 on the Close Knit Podcast ;) ) 
• Above the Canopy - Lizzy Mendinsky (ep 10 on the Close Knit Podcast - stay tuned!) 
• Queen Babs - Jane (again!) 
• The Unusual Pear - weaver 
• Fibre Share - every few months, fibre artists from around the world send each other parcels of fibre-y goodness to love and make with (it's a pretty special thing!) 
• Natalie Miller Design - weaver, macrame artist, knitter, dyer (all round #colourporn)
• Miss Helen - weaver and weaving teacher
• We Heart the Arts - Kylie's venture, which supports Sydney's creatives through community + social engagement

Follow along with Kylie on Instagram and Facebook

Want more? 

• Subscribe: Itunes  + Pocketcasts

Like what you're hearing? 

Awesome! I'm glad you've found your way to this podcast. Please feel free to subscribe, leave a review on iTunes (this makes all the difference to reaching more people!) and share with your loved ones. Thanks for tuning in.

Until next time! 

xx

Ani