Rise of Indie Knitting Businesses
The rise of indie knitting designers, dyers, and spinners.
3/9/20262 min read
Knitters have always been an interesting group of people, and we form strong bonds between us in our community. In the past, most knitting patterns were created by yarn companies who often published several at once. In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift towards indie designers, dyers, and spinners. Here are my thoughts on why and how this happened.
Slow Fashion and Authenticity
Many people have turned to slow fashion as a form of protest against the ethical concerns and quality issues of fast fashion. Slow fashion is more uniquely styled, more customizable, and more sustainable than fast fashion. Indie knitwear designers, dyers, and spinners create a narrative with their work that connects with people who want to reject fast fashion. Many people turned to slow, tactile crafts like knitting during the pandemic, expanding demand for indie knitting businesses. With digital fatigue on the rise, people crave authentic connection to other people in their craft, something big box craft stores can’t provide.
Technical Trends
In recent years, there has been a major push towards size inclusivity. As a plus size person myself, I have felt excluded from most garment patterns for a long time. I have noticed this shift with many more patterns being graded for a chest circumference of 60” and up. More patterns include more ways to customize garments, such as bust darts or length options. Knitters are turning to complex textures in their work as well, which can be achieved by using handspun yarn, or knitted design elements like cables. Designers are taking a more experimental approach to their designs, creating unusual constructions and stitch patterns.
Sustainability
Many knitters are turning to more sustainable fiber sources. Their projects feel more meaningful when they know how and where the fibers they use are sourced. Some indie spinners and dyers openly share the farm they get their fibers from, and what breeds have produced their wool, which can provide very specific properties. Some people are even upcycling or using recycled materials to create new yarns. Natural dyes are becoming more popular as well.
Community and Culture
Indie makers often create their own form of community around their work. Between fiber festivals, large events like Vogue Knitting Live, online summits, and knit-a-longs, knitters are more connected than ever before. With Ravelry, indie designers have been able to self-publish individual patterns and actually get seen by knitters. They can also easily connect with tech editors and test knitters, who are a vital part of the pattern publishing process.
I truly appreciate all of you for supporting my knitting business, even if you just read my blog. My goal is to share my passion for knitting, and you all help keep me going! Happy stitching!
