At the 2014 National NeedleArts Association trade show in Indianapolis, Diane Ivey realized that she was the only Black vendor among hundreds trying to sell their products. Ivey owns Lady Dye Yarns, a Boston-based company that creates hand-dyed yarns, accessories, and knitwear designs. “It dawned on me then that I have encountered so many people of color who do knit but the representation in the business was not there,” said Ivey, who wrote...
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Such a great story! I was hoping to see a mention of Jonah Larson – a black 11-year-old boy from Wisconsin and a crocheting prodigy who a breath of fresh air in the fiber arts world stereotypically populated with gray haired white ladies. If you’re not familiar with Jonah, check him out. He’s a phenomenon and he donates the proceeds of his handicrafts to a nonprofit that supports kids in the Ethiopian village where he was born: https://www.gofundme.com/jonahshands
He also has a huge social media following on Facebook, YouTube and Instagramh: https://www.instagram.com/jonahhands
thank you for mentioning him! I hadn’t heard of him and he is amazing!
I’m not even a knitter, but have noticed this at a variety of types of shops and fairs. Thank you for adding to the conversation.
We have been making quilts for decades. It is part of our history and culture. We shouldn’t be ashamed to create art from our creative minds. There are a group of Black Wonen that make quilts from a small town call Gee’s Bend Alabama. They have made some very Beautiful Quilts.
It is part of our history and culture. It is been very creative to make quilts. It a time where they come together and share life stories about family and friends. They have a group of Black Women that live in Gee’s Bend Alabama that have made some very Beautiful Quilts.
This is a great story. I truly hope those saying they will make changes do so. Crafting, fiber arts, folk art are subcultures that get defined differently depending on who is telling the story. So much of art in America is reliant on the untold and unacknowledged work of women of color. It’s good to see this story being told