Newsletter #4
Camiknitting, size inclusivity, a playlist, and more!
Hello, Makers!
Our founder Nara walked the Camino!
For five days, Nara participated in Camiknitting, walking the Camino de Santiago with other knitters. Every morning they would walk between 20 and 25 kilometers, and in the afternoon, they held knitting workshops. If you want to follow along, check out our social media for glimpses into those fun-filled days.
Tour de Fleece is over!
This year's Tour de Fleece has already come to an end. From the 1st of July until the 23rd, spinners from all around the world took part in the tour, some even extending their spinning time doing “Tour de Fleece Femmes,” just like the bikers do.
Following the hashtag #tourdefleece2023 on Instagram was very inspirational and filled with beautifully spun yarns of all kinds. You can see rare breed and natural yarns, commercial or hand-dyed fiber being spun up, art yarns, and so much more. There are over 5000 posts to explore! Perfect for everyone who’s in need of a little kick to spin more.
How much can you earn as a knitwear designer?
This question was answered very thoroughly by Julie of Twin Stitches Designs in her YouTube video.
She talks about her own experiences being a full-time designer for a few years now, listing all the cost that first goes into a pattern before you can release it to eventually earn money. It is definitely worth a watch and will be eye-opening for most. Take some time to read through the comments, too.
Size Inclusivity!
Instagram can be a great source of information. During this last week, there were discussions about size inclusivity once again. If you have never heard this term, it basically means that knitting patterns should ideally be designed for a size range between 26 and 60 inches bust circumference. The industry, and especially indie knitwear designers, are doing their best to include as many sizes as possible to make their patterns accessible to most.
Cozy Nights Playlist!
KnitLeaks is not only here to talk about our favorite crafts but also to help you find great entertainment to enjoy while crafting. In the last newsletters, we included playlists for the “Heavy Metal Knitting World Championships” (they were sadly canceled) and for a complete 180 - a fun Summer/Beach vibe playlist. On our website, we also featured a special BTS playlist for their 10th anniversary.
Today, we have yet another completely different list for you. The “Cozy Nights” playlist is perfect for rainy days, where you snuggle under a blanket on your couch, but also for warm nights spent at a bonfire.
As always, you can find the list typed out for non-Spotify users at the end of this email.
KnitLeaks’ team loves…
Two films by Agnès Varda: Faces Places and The Gleaners and I.
Agnès Varda is one of the most inspiring and generous film directors. I love her documentary “The Gleaners and I” (available on DAFilms) and recommend the documentary “Faces Places” (available on MUBI) about art, social relevance, and intergenerational friendship. “Faces Places” inspired Paula Pereira's design Varda, a cardigan published in Amirisu issue 23 (Fall/Winter 2021). Agnès Varda had a long artistic life and kept making films until she was 90 years old. –Inês Peixoto
What you missed on KnitLeaks…
The last two weeks have been filled with articles about knitting pain, chromotherapy, beach cover-ups, an explanation about the oeko-tex label, the series “The Ultimatum: Queer Love”, and so much more.
Next up on KnitLeaks…
We will talk about brioche knitting patterns, capsule wardrobes, striped sweaters, summer yarns, and more.
We hope you’re having fun with your crafting!
the KnitLeaks team
Cozy Nights Playlist by Theresia Lew
Dido – Here With Me
Haindling – Butterbrot auf Pauke
Incubus – Drive
Blus – Coffee & TV – Radio Edit
Poison – Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Coldplay – Yellow
Laleh – Live Tomorrow
BTS – Blue & Grey
Passenger – Simple Song
The Cranberries – Ode To My Family
Vampire Weekend – Oxford Comma
Sia – Breath Me
Hozier – Take Me To Church
Fleetwood Mac – The Chain – 2004 Remaster
Plain White T’s – 1, 2, 3, 4
Billy Bragg – The Milkman of Human Kindness
Harry Styles – Matilda
The Lumineers – Flowers In Your Hair
Counting Crows – Mr. Jones
The Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
Foo Fighters – Everlong – Acoustic Version
Gotthard – Angel – Live