#BHMCraftivism
MAL2024
Welcome to the 2024 Black History Month Craftivism Make-along resource page!
I’m so glad you’ve decided to join! Everybody—all fiber artists, especially knitters and crocheters—can be craftivists! The goal of this make-along is to celebrate the big and small ways we can make a statement with our art. And since it’s Black History Month, let’s make a statement by supporting Black-owned businesses!
Here you’ll find the my make-along patterns as well as featured Black knit & crochet designers, yarn dyers, and other fiber-related businesses that you’re encouraged to support. If you know of another business that should be featured here, let me know!
Participation details
WHAT: Mark your calendars! Feb 4th - Mar 16th 2024, we’re making a statement with our art: supporting Black fiber businesses. Please join me for the Black History Month Craftivism Make-along. Qualifying participants will be eligible for a Grand Prize at the end, featuring goodies from Black-owned fiber businesses!
WHY: Craftivist = craft + activist = YOU! Craftivism is where your craft meets your voice and it’s about making a statement with your art. The statement for this make-along is celebrating and supporting Black-owned fiber businesses in honor of Black History Month! People of all races are encouraged to participate to learn, fellowship, get inspired for more ways to create art with a purpose throughout the year, and make something cool together!
HOW:
Participants will be encouraged to:
Make a pattern by a Black designer, including featured patterns by Dr. Charlie Untangled
Buy yarn from a Black indie dyer or Black-owned yarn shop, including featured yarn by Naima Bond of Sister Ananse
Purchase project bags and/or stitch markers from a Black-owned fiber business
To qualify for the Grand Prize:
Tag a yarn friend who you think would like to participate in the MAL intro post on Dr. Charlie Untangled’s Instagram page
Follow Dr. Charlie Untangled, Nina Chicago, Miss Purl & Naima Bond of Sister Ananse on Instagram
Subscribe to the Dr. Charlie Untangled YouTube page
Post your final FO or WIP by 3/13 at 11:59 pm CT in your IG GRID using @drcharlieuntangled tag & #BHMCraftivismMAL2024
WHEN:
Feb 4th, cast-on event at Nina Chicago 1-4pm CT & on Instagram Live at 1:30 pm. At the cast-on event at Nina Chicago, there will be an opportunity to buy Sister Ananse Yarn.
Check-in event on Feb 17th and wrap up event on Mar 16th at Miss Purl Chicago.
Over the following 5 weeks, there will be check-ins via Instagram Live, where we’ll discuss different topics, including what is craftivism, what it means to “Buy Black,” favorite Black-owned fiber businesses, and more! A collaborating Black business owner, maker, or influencer will join Akia each week. If you want to join me on a Live, please message Dr. Charlie Untangled on Instagram.
Dr. Charlie Untangled make-along patterns
Featured Chicago dyer:
Naima Bond of Sister Ananse Yarn
Naima is a Chicago native fiber artist and yarn dyer who creates beautifully vibrant colorways in her yarn, with inspiration from Black history to science to pop culture. She says on her website, “The name "Sister Ananse Yarn" (pronounced "Uh-Nan-Say" or "Uh-Nan-See") came from the spider deity of African and and Caribbean mythology , Ananse. He is sometimes a trickster, sometimes a wise helper.”
Featured Chicago LYS
These local Chicago yarn shops are either Black-owned or carry yarn from Black independent dyers, including Sister Ananse Yarn.
Designers
Knitting patterns
Crochet patterns
Yarn dyers & LYS
Bags, tools, notions & more
Other resources
Here are some additional directories for patterns, yarn dyers, and more
Disclaimer: All images are the properties of the respective designers and businesses.