Some patterns to comfort or soothe might be what you need right now. This episode has five patterns with that cosy, comforting feeling for you to check out.

First of all, I’m horrified by the recent events in the US. I know there are many people of colour out there in our podcast community that are afraid, worried and scared. Discrimination based on skin colour has no place here. It is unacceptable.

If I can be of any help or support to any listener, please reach out.

Resources For Diverse Listening

Today I’m sharing some resources to help with finding new podcasts to listen to. It’s not always easy to identify podcasts made by hosts from a more diverse range of communities due to filters on search. Luckily, there are great directories out there to help!

www.bipocinfiber.com

This resource for supporting discoverability of BIPOC in the fibre world has a directory section, which you can use with various filters to find designers, dyers, academics and podcasters and bloggers of colour who are making shows. Just go to the directory and choose ‘podcasts’ to find podcasters of colour who are specifically talking about knitting and crochet and fibre-related subjects.

www.podcastsincolor.com

This fantastic podcast directory, run by Berry Syk, is a great place to find new podcasts. It has handy lists of podcasts by genre, making it easy to find shows around similar themes. It’s primarily US-focused, but really useful from both a listener point of view and for hosts who are looking for other podcasters to collaborate with or interview.

www.wocpodcasters.co

This is a community specifically for WOC podcasters to connect, learn and collaborate. There’s also a directory capability, and a membership community for WOC to learn and up level their podcasting skills. Founded by Danielle Desir, there are over 3000 members in over 50 countries.

Pattern Suggestions

It’s pretty understandable that with so much hurt and upset in the world right now, you might not feel like knitting. I put together some pattern suggestions which invoked a feeling of comfort, in case you are turning to your knitting, and would like some ideas.

Twylem by Vanessa Smith Designs. Image Copyright Cody Smith.

Twylem by Vanessa Smith Designs

This glorious, worsted weight, oversized squishy cardigan looks cosy and comforting. Thick cables line the neck and part way down the front opening, with deep cuffs on the sleeve just asking to be pulled down over the hands.

The pattern is accompanied by tutorials for some of the trickier techniques, and is in a stockinette and reverse stockingette version.

The pattern is available on Ravelry for $8.50 and you can find more about Vanessa Smith Designs here.

Perrine by Laura Chau. Image Copyright Laura Chau.

This textured shawl is an easy to memorise pattern for fingering weight yarn. Either use a precious single skein, or play around with mini-skeins or leftovers. The stitch is knitted, but has a crochet-like effect, and the resulting shawl would be warm in winter and a great throw-over for the shoulders on cooler summer evenings.

This pattern is available on Ravelry for CAN $6 and you can find more about Laura Chau here.

Chicane by Jimenez Joseph. Image Copyright Jimenez Joseph.

I adore the Chicane pattern by Jimenez Joseph. This gorgeous, boat necked, Dolman sleeved top is quite 80s, and the chevron pattern looks like it would be a very relaxing knit. The cold shoulder sleeves can either be tied with ribbon, or sewn up for a more classic look. With instructions for both DK and 4ply, it’s a very versatile pattern.

You can buy the pattern on Ravelry here for $6.75 and you can find more about Jimenez Joseph here.

Engulfed by Knitdraper. Image Copyright Knitdraper.

This bulky weight poncho look like it would be super cosy to wear, as well as being a quick project. The textured stitch pattern works really well with the bigger yarn, and the faux fur pom poms add a fun edge to this piece. Engulfed by wool I think you would be!

This pattern is available on Ravelry for $2.50 and you can find out more about Knitdraper here.

Warm Huggles Blanket Knit Pattern by Kunbi Ayo-Okanlawon. Image Copyright Kunbi Ayo-Okanlawon.

Another bulky weight pattern for extra squish factor, is the Warm Huggles Baby Blanket Knit Pattern by Kunbi Ayo-Okanlawon. This textured blanket really makes the most of the bulky wool, with a reverse stockinette main body that has a leaf shaped bobble pattern on it. This is set off nicely ny the moss stitch border.

Ideal as a gift for a baby, it would also be easily made larger for adult sized comfort and snuggling.

You can find the pattern here on Ravelry for £3.17 and find more about Kunbi Ayo-Okanlawon here.

Wrap-up

That’s all for this week. Please take care and I will be back next week with a new episode working on stash audit.

Credits

Music for this episode is by Adam and the Walter Boys with ‘I Need a Drink’ available on iTunes.