Desamour Designs is hosting a BIPOC make along through November 4th, and I’m participating. I love the idea of it – the rules are simple and straightforward, should help raise awareness in a concrete way and it’s not high pressure. Just pick a pattern designed by somebody in the BIPOC community and craft away!
There is the obvious support of the BIPOC community that comes from getting people to actually move on their good intentions to buy and start working on that pattern they’ve been looking at. Or to finally sit down and find a pattern like they have been meaning to.
But it ripples from there. Since people are encouraged to post what they are up to, and because they’ll use more tags than just the designated #bipocmal2019, people outside the BIPOC make along will also be exposed to those patterns and designs. It’s great that more people are being more thoughtful and deliberating seeking out more diverse designers. But there are still plenty of people who aren’t doing that (whether because they’ve missed the conversation or don’t care yet), and getting designs in front of them and seeing how their friends care will help expand awareness.
So Saturday I (somewhat reluctantly) pulled my super cheery Not So Mellow Yellow LolaBean Yarn off of my wall and wound it into cakes.
Why reluctantly? Because I’ve really enjoyed the contrast of the yellow and purple together on the wall and I’m sad to see it go. Also, when I’m done this project it’s going to a new home. I am sure the recipient will enjoy its fun bright colors as much as me, but it does mean I have to give it up!
Yesterday, I started knitting the Dionne Shawl by Jeanette Sloan. I bought the yarn back in July to go with the pattern, so I didn’t really have any decisions to make in that regard. Ok, well, I spent about an hour perusing Ravelry to see if I wanted to do something else with a different yarn so I didn’t have to take the yellow down… But once I realized that this is really what I wanted to start working on, the decision was easy.
So far I am really enjoying the pattern. It has sections requiring a bit more attention alternating with simpler repeats, an addictive combination. It’s also a bold lace that doesn’t fight with the speckles of the yarn. Both speckles and lace are clearly visible. I also really love the tidy and firm way the border increases are made.
Progress would be a bit quicker if kitten wasn’t nearly as interested in this yarn as I am. I can’t argue with her taste though!