Over the years, I've had many positive and life changing
experiences in the fiber community. I've built a thriving designing and
technical editing business in service of knitters and crocheters who are like
myself. Knitters and crocheters who want to do the things they love and live
life on their own terms. However, the fiber world at times feel and look very
different from myself. I know there are other women that look like me out there
just killing it in as designers, dyers, tech editors, etc. Yet, on the surface
there doesn't seems to be anyone that look like me. You almost have to go in
search of people of color.
There is a glaring, almost jarring, lack of diversity in the
fiber community. When you search patterns, there are very few designers and
models from major publications featuring men, women, and children of ethnic
heritage. And this is troubling.
When communities are not featured, and represented, they don't
feel welcome.
They don't feel like there is a place for them in those
communities.
Quick back story. I didn't learn to crochet and knit as a child
at my grandmother's knees. Heck, it wasn't until the late 90s as I teen that I
was introduced to the fiber world when my older sister learned to crochet. For
years, she was the only person of color I knew who crocheted, so I didn't see
there was a place for me in what appeared to be an exclusive club. Remember,
the Internet wasn't what it is today, and there was so social media. I couldn't
go searching for other people like me. Besides, I just didn't know what I
didn't know.
It was back in 2008/2009 when I first saw a black woman not only
knitting, but making money from it. This icon is Shirley Paden featured on HGTV
Knitty Gritty (do you remember that show? This show is what started me on thisfibery journey). This episode gave me life. It
gave me a glimpse of what was possible; that I too could be a knitter and a
designer. I don't even know if she was making a full-time living as a fiber
artist, but i didn't care. She was passionate. She was happy in this world. Whatever
she was doing I wanted it.
Look, the doors to the fiber world are wide open and open to
all. I realize that now. The old guards have become irrelevant. The rise of the
internet has made that possible. Everyone is welcome.
The truth is, we need to see someone doing something to open the
doors to possibilities, the same way that President Obama opened the doors for
millions of people of color across the globe. We need to see it modeled.
In the beginning of my design career I never posted photos of
myself anywhere because I didn't want people (knitters and crocheters) to not
want to buy and make my designs because I was different from "the
norm". To be honest, I don't know if that is true or it was all in my
mind. That doesn’t matter anymore because I know my worth now and that I
belong. Now, I post my photo on my Ravelry profile and online so that knitters,
crocheters, and designers will see me. I want other aspiring knitters and
crocheters of color to see someone else doing it and be inspired. I want to be
their Shirley Paden.
Until next time... Stitch on!
Tian
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