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February Discoveries

How much do you know about wool?

January 31, 2019

While we were putting together this issue, important discussions about race took place in the knitting community on Instagram and blogs. These discussions concern the crafting community in general, which is predominately represented as white—and call for action along with active learning about the experiences, work, and representation of makers of color. These conversations are essential, and thanks to social media, these conversations are also extremely accessible. We can take the first step by reading about the experiences of makers of color, and support their work, not only in often being the ones to lead these discussions, but also in their respective crafts. Here are a few makers on Instagram who are currently working to encourage these discussions, each of whom also has work from POC artists linked in their profiles: @thecolormustard, @su.krita, @ocean_bythesea, @astitchtowear, @booksandcables, @makersofcolor, @buyfrombipocchallenge

Wool and Knitting Resources from Seamwork

Even though Seamwork is a sewing magazine, there are so many overlaps with knitting that we’ve put together a bunch of resources about wool over the years. Some of our Seamworkers talked about their hand-sewn and hand-knit wardrobes, and and we interviewed Brooklyn Tweed in this month’s issue. And remember, even if you don’t knit your own textiles, we also have resources for sewing with sweater knits and shopping for sweater knits.





Tasha Griffith takes you From Sheep to Steam, exploring the history, science, and benefits of wool. If you enjoy this article, don’t miss her other feature, The Secret Lives of Looms, which teaches you about the structural properties of fabric using hand weaving as a guide.






Have you ever wanted to spin your own yarn? In this article from issue no. 17 of Seamwork, Charlotte Powell shows you how. Along with some basic vocabulary, step-by-step pictures, and troubleshooting, this is a fun way to get hands-on with your textiles.






Rebecca Burgess founded Fibershed, a project that began in 2010 with her mission to develop and wear a prototype wardrobe whose dyes, fibers, and labor were sourced from a region no larger than 150 miles from the project’s headquarters. In this article from issue no. 17 of Seamwork, author Jessica Yen explores the efforts behind 100% local fiber production.



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