In order to gain proper insight into what it was like to be a newer knitter during the Pandemic, I asked a few knitters that I follow on Instagram if they would participate in a small email "interview". One of them started their knitting journey at the beginning of the Pandemic, one had just started their Instagram this past year but had rapidly grown in just a few months, and the final had a spike in followers in the summer of 2020. Each of these knitters were posed with the same questions: How welcoming has the online community been since creating their platform; did they expect their platform to grow as fast as it did; what is most exciting about a new project; their preference on in-person versus virtual knitting circles; test knits welcoming and advancing one's skills; and how the pandemic has affected their sense of community since it started.
Robin Myers has been knitting since she was five years old, having been taught by her mother Bene. She is from the small coastal town of Monterey, CA, which sits just above Carmel-by-the-sea. She had originally begun her Instagram with two other friends, sharing their knits and other creations, but has been solely running the account for a while since they both work full-time jobs. It was a way for the three of them to connect virtually, not a thought in mind of gaining as many followers as they currently have, which is now over 1,000.
Robin studied business in college, so she went into this account with a "business" mindset and her past experience with working social media for local small businesses.
In order to create something catchy and unique for her "brand", she started taking pictures of her knit sweaters flying in the air. Each of her newest knits must have its very own flying image, of course!
How has the online knitting community been welcoming since you created your social media platform?
I would say that it has been very welcoming! I honestly don't have anything bad to say! I think the things to watch out for (or have made me a little sad- which is rare!!!) would be when some accounts step on my/or others' toes. It's hard with social media, but I think EVERYONE should give credit (even inspo credit) where needed. Feels so good to be seen/heard/acknowledged, and I think some accounts forget to do that.
Do you prefer a more physical/in-person knitting circle, or having a broader knitting circle virtually?
I've been knitting on and off since I was 5 years old. My mom and I knit always, and my dearest friends have grown up knitting with me. I love getting together to knit and hang out with them! I have even made a few friends in college who I taught how to knit and now we meet every week to drink coffee and knit. That is my ideal social situation. SO for me, the in-person knitting I am very used to and have grown up with. This virtual thing is new but I am meeting my first virtual knitting friend in June so well see!
Do you feel test knits, either hosting or participating in, give more people the opportunity to join this community and expand their skills?
1000000% yes. I have completed 4 test knits and am on my 5th. I have hosted 2 test knits and will begin hosting my 3rd and 4th within 2 weeks I believe.
Having been a part of test knits, I wanted to take what I learned and make my test knits I host even more engaging/inclusive, and FUN. My current Tea Time Tee test knit chat is amazing, I get all the feels from everyone and we have the cutest group chat and update each other like every day haha- it's so fun! I have also been a part of test knits where there is no group chat, so that was okay too, but I missed the social interactions and the group feeling.
Addie is a great example of someone who started to knit when the pandemic started. it became her second hobby to bread making, which is what a quite a lot of people got into in the first few months of COVID-19 in 2020.
She is 25 and is a gardener and environmental activist who enjoys the process of #SlowFashion that knitting brings. During her knitting, she enjoys listening to classical literature as well. The most exciting thing about starting a new project? The finished object that she can wear which she made with her own two hands, of course!
How has the online knitting community been welcoming since you created your social media platform?
It’s been very welcoming! It’s been fun to connect with people around the world! It is nice how everybody supports one another on here.
Do you prefer a more physical/in-person knitting circle, or having a broader knitting circle virtually?
I’ve taught a couple of friends to knit and my mom and it’s been so fun! But I appreciate the dedication to knitting that the knitting community has, whereas the folks I’ve taught in person are less interested in it than me.
Do you feel test knits, either hosting or participating in, give more people the opportunity to join this community and expand their skills?
Definitely think it strengthens the community and allows us to reach more people across the world. I love how so many people from so many places can come together to create the finished project. It also expands skillsets for those who participate and find themselves learning a new stitch.
Jaime started her yarn hobby in early 2018 while on a gap year. She began with crocheting, falling head-over-heels for it in an instant. Eventually mid-2019, she learned to knit, which has stuck with her every since. She is based out of Naarm/Melbourne, Australia, and has been consistantly posting on her instagram since late 2020.
Jaime never expected her account to grow as fast as it did towards September of 2020, but that motivated her to keep working towards a potential career in the craft. She realized she had a signature style, which is the use off bright colors in her patterns.
How has the online knitting community been welcoming since you created your social media platform?
The online knitting community has been so welcoming and lovely! Such a positive and encouraging space to be in!
Do you prefer a more physical/in-person knitting circle, or having a broader knitting circle virtually?
I much prefer the online knitting community to in person. Some of my friends are crocheters and we’ve done a few ‘stitch and bitch’ sessions, but I find the online community to be more relatable for me as my friends in real life don’t take it too seriously and it’s more just a hobby for them, whereas for me this is a potential career.
Do you feel test knits, either hosting or participating in, give more people the opportunity to join this community and expand their skills?
Test knits are amazing! My first-time pattern testing was for a big crochet influencer/YouTuber which was so cool to me! My first test knit was also for one of my biggest knitting inspirations, and was literally the catalyst for my first growth spike! When I hosted my first test knit last month, I was so amazed at the skills of my testers, a few of which didn’t have a knitsagram, but became active in posting for my pattern! It was really nice to see.