Why The Yarnist Exists

A while back I wrote about what is means to be a “Yarnist.”

I probably should have titled that “What it means to be a Fearless Knitter,” because that’s what we strive to be around here.

In fact the entire reason The Yarnist exists is to help you become a more fearless knitter.

How do we do that?

We’re going to dive into the different ways we support that mission, and some of our plans to do that in new ways going forward.

Becoming A Fearless Knitter

When you look at the pattern above how do you feel?

Does the thought of knitting a complex Celtic cable make your hands break out in a cold sweat? 😅

Or do your eyes light up at the thought of taking on a new challenge and discovering how such a pattern works?

If you answered the former, what if I told you that the majority of this project consists of ONE technique used over and over again?

And if you’ve made a cable before, you already know how to do that technique.

How would you feel about tackling the project then?

Being a fearless knitter is not about knowing everything.

It’s not about knitting without making mistakes.

It’s not even about making epic, complicated projects.

Fearless knitting is about how you approach knitting.

Three Characteristics of a Fearless Knitter

You don’t have to be willing to jump out of a plane with your knitting needles to Knit Without Fear.

A few weeks ago I took some time to condense the main ideas I want to express through The Yarnist, and how that relates to being a Fearless Knitter.

I came up with three characteristics I think embody our ethos.

And just for fun we’re gonna use some alliteration. 😉

Curiosity

A Fearless Knitter is curious. They take delight in learning more about their craft. They deepen their knowledge by exploring the history, context, and culture of the hobby they love.

Creativity

A Fearless Knitter is creative. They take what they learn and apply it to new projects. They take chances with what they knit and embrace their mistakes so they can learn from those too. They experiment with new techniques and adapt projects to their liking when they see fit.

Contribution

A Fearless Knitter is generous. They participate in the community, sharing what they have learned with others. They knit with love for friends, family, and those in need. And they keep the craft alive by teaching the next generation their craft.

If these things sound like you, then you’re in the right place.

And if you’re not there yet, but you want to be, then you’re also in the right place.

Our focus at The Yarnist going forward will be around these three ideas.

Over the next few days I’m going to share how we’re doing that.

But until then, how do you embody these ideals in your knitting life?