Fiber Arts
Tutorials, companies, reads, etc.
Working with fibers is such a grounding and meditative experience. For me, it is an avenue to connect with my ancestors and, when I’m mindful about where I source my materials, with the earth and my community as well. Below you’ll find some of my favorite resources for getting into the world of textiles.
This was my entry point to fiber arts. When I had a two-year-old and an infant, I frequently needed to be sitting in the same room as my kids and needed something to do with myself while I watched them play. Knitting facilitated a surprising amount of healing during those long days, for which I am deeply grateful.
Tutorials
Totally new to knitting? Sheep and Stitch has a guide here that breaks down the basics to get you started. The video tutorials introduce some of the basic vocabulary and use large needles and yarn sizes so it’s easy to see what’s going on.
Purl Together: Every tutorial that I’ve watched on the Purl Together channel has been clear, encouraging, and welcoming. Very much a safe little corner of the internet and is now my preferred channel for a tutorial. I always check here before doing a more general search on any particular stitch.
Sock Tutorial: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Sock Calculator
Designers
Fiber Tales: Denmark-based designer, Lærke, is the woman behind Fiber Tales. She runs a YouTube podcast where she discusses her knitting and designing, as well as a few general life updates. I love her grounding presence, her commitment to sustainability, and the connection to nature that’s evident in both her knitwear design and her general presence.
PetiteKnits: A wide variety of easy-to-follow apparel designs. Everything from adult-sized sweaters to baby bonnets and quite a bit in between.
Weaving
Knitting is one way to make your own fabric. Weaving is another. While I haven’t started learning to weave yet, I have begun collecting resources for when I am ready. Below are the ones that I plan to start with.
Classes
*Kelly Casanova Weaving: Membership model. Some free content or individual purchase too.
More resources on her website here.
*Hello Hydrangea: Classes on decorative weaving.
Companies
Gist Yarn: Sustainably-sourced weaving yarns (read more about their sourcing here), beautiful patterns (some free!), and a hub of other weaving tutorials and resources too.
Sewing
One of the main reasons I feel so drawn to fiber arts is that I want to feel a sense of connection with my clothing. By mindfully sourcing my fabrics, supporting independent designers, and making my own clothing, I can ensure that my clothes were sustainably and ethically produced. Plus, the more I learn, the more I can customize each piece to my personal preferences. For someone who is frequently frustrated with clothing shopping, this is especially appealing.
Tutorials
*The Essentials Club: Walks you through her process of self-drafting.
*DIY Daisy: Detailed step-by-step photos.
*Friday Pattern Company: YouTube sew alongs for more complex patterns.
Designers
*Twig & Tale: Beginner-friendly sewing patterns inspired by the innocence of childhood and the wonder of nature. Patterns come in adult and children sizes, and include in-depth video tutorials. What I love most about Twig & Tale is their grounded focus on the stories we tell, and the role that the textiles in our lives plays in those stories.
Companies
Salt Lake Sewciety: Utah-based company with regular classes teaching how to make your own wardrobe. They also sell apparel fabrics, specialty notions, and indie patterns.
Natural Dyeing
I have experimented a bit with some simple natural dyeing projects, but I would love to go more into depth. There are techniques for yarn-dying, eco-printing, stencil printing, and painting textiles, so you really can dye them into just about any pattern or style you like.
Courses
*The Barefoot Dyer: Pre-recorded courses on natural dyeing topics including pre-treating fabric, eco printing, dye modifications, etc.
*The Dogwood Dyer: Options for pre-recorded online workshops and a yearly subscription model with more in-depth instruction on a new topic each month. Free tutorials also available, plus a natural dye garden guide.
Companies
Grand Prismatic Seed: Utah-based, queer-owned seed company that grows and sells dye-plant seeds (as well as many herbs, vegetables, grains, flowers, and native plants) that are all grown without any chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. Highly recommend purchasing seeds from them!
Related Reading
*Indicates resources that I haven’t personally used yet, but are on my radar to dive into when I’m able.
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As part of my Resource Index series, I consider this article a living document and may update it as I find other relevant resources that have staying power over time. To hear more about what I’m reading in real time and to support my work, please consider subscribing below.
Note: I will always promote the use of public libraries first. I firmly believe in the importance of a good library in every community, and the more a library is used the more resources will be allocated to it. (An actual embodiment of an abundance mindset!) I also include direct Bookshop links to each book for your convenience. If you decide to add any of these books to your personal library through these links, your purchase will also go to support local bookstores and my writing. However you acquire your books, thank you for engaging in these topics with me!
