Yarn Shaming

I was planning on doing my monthly yarn haul post but considering all the chat on social media just now about yarn shaming and inclusivity recently I thought it might be a little insensitive. I started with a paragraph with my thoughts on it but then decided to do a stand alone post. I didn’t want to take the attention from the indie dyers I was trying to highlight which was the whole point in those posts during lockdown. I’ll post that one later in the week.

I personally think there is a big difference between yarn shaming and designers using specific yarns for their designs. I know that for some they see a yarn and want to see what they can create with it because the yarn inspires them. I have done that myself and I have yarn there that I bought specifically because I want to create a pattern for them. I also understand that some designers are hired by yarn companies/dyers to create patterns specifically for their yarns. I don’t have an issue with designers and their choice of yarns. I think that’s because most designers I seem to like have US based yarns associated with their patterns and so I have to find an alternative. Plus I mainly knit socks and so it’s relatively easy to find an alternative. Sometimes that hasn’t always worked out but I have learned from it.

With indie dyers I understand that it is a luxury for some people. I buy a lot from indie dyers but that’s my treat to myself. I hate shopping, I’m not a shoe person, I don’t buy expensive bags and I HATE going to the hair dresser. I don’t get my nails done (I can’t - I’m a nurse) and I don’t go out at the weekend much (pre-lockdown). My yarn is my treat. Don’t get me wrong, now that I am garment knitting I hesitate a little at buying the yarn required but again this is a treat and I want to support my favourite dyers. There are months I can’t do that and that’s okay.

What I hate is yarn shaming in general. I’ve been made to feel small or been shy to admit that I have and do use acrylic yarns. When I started out knitting I used acrylic yarn. I didn’t look at the content of the yarn. I looked at what I could afford in the colours I liked. Then I was a beginner and I was a student (the first time). When I crochet blankets I also go for lower cost yarns. My favourite blanket (which is still going strong) was done all in acrylic yarn at £2.30 for 100g (You can see it pictured above). I would do the same again. It’s sturdy, long lasting and I can buy it as I go because I don’t bother with dye lot. I have a blanket that my granny knitted me. Each square is not only knitted with acrylic yarn but also yarn that she recycled from garments she bought from charity shops. And I love it. There is a lot of good yarns out there that you can substitute at a lower cost. My advice would be to swatch if it’s a garment. If it’s socks I would make sure it’s sturdy as you want the heel to last. I would just like to add that I used to run and go to a knitting group and a lot of us used yarn at the lower cost spectrum. No one was made to feel badly for it. We were more interested in supporting each other and seeing the outcome. My mum was a beautiful knitter and she would often knit with the yarn associated with the pattern if she could but was happy to knit with alternatives if she couldn’t. Growing up I certainly couldn’t tell the difference. My point is do what you can afford and what makes you happy without feeling bad for it. It’s supposed to be a relaxing hobby (so long as you have no frogging).

I think a lot of people will say I have missed the point when reading this. However, this is merely my perspective and my experience in being yarn shamed. There are some books out there that can teach you about yarn types so that you can substitute (Clara Parks) and I am not ashamed to admit that I have used google, especially when the yarn associated with a pattern has been discontinued. I will always shout out support for my indie dyer friends because I love them and I know they would do the same for me if I had my own business. While I have only one published pattern at the moment I promise to put a note on any future patterns that alternative yarns can be used. I won’t be listing alternatives but will suggest a yarn type because I am UK based and I am luckier that I only design socks and it’s easier to substitute (in my very humble opinion).