July 10, 2019
We recently started stocking cross stitch kits from Junebug and Darlin both because we love them and also because we recognise that in parts of the world that aren't Scotland, there are months when knitting is not that enjoyable and it is good to have other craft options.
Zoe was kind enough to record a brief overview of her crafting philosophy. We have shared that over on Ysolda's instagram, but we are putting the transcript here.
This is Zoe from Junebug and Darlin, I use she/her pronouns, live in Portland, Oregon and create modern cross stitch kits.
When I design a new pattern, I want to make sure it will be something that folks will want to make and display with pride. A lot of my phrases are inspired by radical activist movements and self-care affirmations, in addition to the subversion of traditional cross stitch designs like homo, sweet homo.
I try to design kits that inspire me in hopes that they will inspire others. One of the best parts about crafting these forever pieces is seeing which designs resonate with which individuals. For some the perfect kit is a rainbow safe space and for others its fierce and tender.
I love making crafts for queers and I’m glad my work can go beyond just my community. Seeing the variety of folks that purchase kits for themselves or their friends is really encouraging. I hope to keep designing kits that allow a diverse group of folks to participate in my craftivist agenda.
As well as the beautiful kits we stock, Zoe offers a selection of PDFs she calls "Donation Based Purchases". These PDFs are created with specific non-profit organizations in mind and 100% of the proceeds from their purchases are given to the organization attached. Current designs donate to Planned Parenthood, Southerners on New Ground and the Transgender Law Center.
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December 09, 2021
Learn brioche with the free Daniel's Hat pattern
Tombreck - a free chevron beanie pattern
Working the brioche neck detail on the Polwarth sweater
Decorative Channel Island Cast-on
3 Easy Stretchy Bind-offs (p2tog bind-off; k2togtbl, k1 bind-off; Jeny's surprisingly stretchy bind-off)
Tubular Bind-off for brioche stitch
Paired increase methods compared
How to work into double yarn overs
Brioche stitch double decreases
How to Knit in the round using Magic Loop
How to Knit in the round using DPNs
Avoiding ears when binding off
Tighter purl stitches for neater cables and ribbing
Cabling without a cable needle
Understanding "continue in pattern"
Joining the body and sleeves on a seamless bottom up sweater
How to pick a garment without a model for you (specifically addresses finding garment patterns when your gender identity isn't represented and the styles you want to knit might not be sized to fit your body)
How does ease affect inclusive size ranges?
Identifying and fixing mistakes in lace knitting
Getting started with stranded colourwork
Understanding colour dominance
Working stranded colourwork over small circumferences
Decreases in stranded colourwork
Holding the yarn for stranded colourwork
Ladderback Jacquard (a neat way to deal with long floats)
Cabling without a cable needle
Cabling without a cable needle on the wrong side
How to knit cabled decreases
Closed ring cable increases and decreases
How to work brioche stitch in the round
How to begin your first large cross stitch project
How to finish a cross stitch project with an embroidery hoop frame
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