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Is slower knitting more mindful? Are process knitters superior to project knitters? In this episode, Anjali and Alison talk about the recent social media conversation around fast knitting and fast fashion, why continental knitting isn’t always the fastest, and why Elizabeth Zimmerman was right (of course). Plus, we revisit our thoughts on AI and knitting and invent a foolproof method for evaluating yarn stores called the Rosa Pomar Test! Follow us on Instagram: @twyakpodEmail us: [email protected] We are now on Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music (audio only) and are experimenting with adding video to our podcast on Spotify. Find us and subscribe on your preferred platform! Further Reading & Watching Slow Knitting: A Journey from Sheep to Skein to Stitch by Hannah Thiessen seems to be out of print, but you can find it used at places like Powell's BooksThe Slow Fashion Renaissance: An In-Depth Exploration of Crochet and Knitting as Sustainable Technologies for Contemporary Fashion by Jie PengKnitting Rebellion, Elizabeth Zimmerman, Identity and Craftsmanship in Post-War America by Maureen Lilly MarshLou Dangit on timing their knittingVickyIsKnitting on why knitting speed is not always a choiceAI Discussion Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI by Karen HaoSam Altman May Control Our Future -- Can He Be Trusted? - The New YorkerLucy Liang on the Hobbii AI debacleThe Joji Locatelli AI backstory on Craftsnark and Joji's response and apologyDeborah Knits on how AI is breaking the knitting pattern economyOther Knitty Things High Tide Fibers, a store in Rehoboth Beach, RI that passes the Rosa Pomar testRetrosaria Rosa Pomar Mondim in colorway M82Andrea Rangel short row heelPatty Lyons's improved slip slip knitBurgos Vest pattern by Rosa PomarYarn lineup at The Wooly Thistle - help me choose!Other Happy Things Trailer for This is a Gardening ShowCarlsFriendsDotNet is sadly not accepting new orders right now due to overwhelming social media demand! But they say they may be back in November

Welcome back to Season 3! Anjali and Alison kick things off with a topic that a lot of knitters have A Lot of Feelings about: knitwear designers releasing brand-new patterns that are similar (sometimes very similar) to patterns they have already released. We also hear from Sophie Hemmings of the Knit Purl Girl, who was kind enough to share her thoughts from the designer's perspective. Buckle up and put on that cardigan version of the pullover pattern you also own. Or is it a jacket? Or did you buy the blouse version, not the pullover? Doesn't matter, we're going to talk about it all! Follow us on Instagram: @twyakpodEmail us: [email protected] We are now on Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music (audio only) and are experimenting with adding video to our podcast on Spotify. Find us and subscribe on your preferred platform! "Would you like to double down on your meal?" - Portlandia Examples of Single Pattern Releases Felix Cardigan and Felix Pullover by Amy ChristoffersEsther Vest and Esther Jacket by Petite KnitAnker's Sweater by PetiteKnitOoey Gooey, plus the Sock Set, Cowl, and Mitt Set by Andrea MowryCozy Classic Raglan and Cozy Classic Light by Jessie Maed DesignsThe Weekender, Weekender Light and Weekender Crew by Andrea MowryCumulus Blouse and Cumulus Blouse O-neck by PetiteKnitLakes Pullover, Lakes Cardigan, Lakes Crew Cardigan, etc by OzettaCeleste Sweater, Celeste Sweater Junior and Celeste Sweater Man by PetiteKnitGib I and Gib II by Andrea MowryExamples of Multi-Option Patterns Musselburgh by Ysolda TeagueMara Blouse by the Knit Purl GirlLanark Sweater by Rebecca ClowLauder by Rebecca ClowSaglan by Ailbíona McLochlainnOther Knitty Things Alison is wearing the Autumn Alpine sweater with yarn from Queen City YarnThe Tin Can Knits app lets you choose the size you are knitting and just shows you the instructions for that sizeOther Recommendations WALNUT yarn store in TokyoAmirisu Sprint hand-dyed yarnOkadaya ShinjukuCraft Code Switching - Pom Pom Mag SubstackAnjali's Caddis reading glasses are the Wabi Sabi in "Gloss Minor Blues" and Triple G in Heritage Green

We're popping in for a surprise bonus episode! Join Anjali and Alison in a conversation about the viewer comments that made us think differently, opened our minds to new ideas, or even made us realize we were wrong. Y'all are classy and we appreciate you. Watch for our return for Season 3 in the fall! Follow us on Instagram: @twyakpodEmail us: [email protected] Episodes We Mention (In Order of Appearance) Should You Use AI in Your Knitting?Are These Knitting Designers Copying Each Other?Stop Calling Knitting a Grandma HobbyCraftivism & the Melt the Ice HatKnitty Things We Mention Moby sweater by PetiteKnitHanstholm sweater by PetiteKnitAnjali is wearing the Corran Cardigan in De Rerum Natura Robinson in CitronnadeGreen, square buttons from My Sister Knits, an LYS in Fort Collins, COMussel shell buttons from La Mercerie, an LYS in Bainbridge Island, WAWood buttons from Retrosaria Rosa Pomar, an LYS in Lisbon, PortugalDusty's Vintage ButtonsDenver Asian Food Recs Nana's Dim Sum and DumplingsMAK Fam

Some academics believe gossip is essential for social life, but what happens when it moves from in-person to online spaces? Join Alison and Anjali in a conversation about gossip, fiber arts, and that one terrible fiber festival everyone heard about. It'll be fun! Follow us on Instagram: @twyakpodEmail us: [email protected] Further Reading & Listening on Gossip Normal Gossip podcast knitting episode on Apple and SpotifyAn Integrative Definition and Framework to Study Gossip — Group & Organization Management"Gossip About Knitting" — New York TimesGossip: An Investigation into the Feminine Art of Conversation — RISDRitualizing Language: Ancient Greek Women's Gossip and Magic as Intertwining, Subversive Paths to JusticeGossip in Evolutionary Perspective by R.I.M. DunbarGossip-Related Artwork Netherlandish Proverbs (1559) by Peter Bruegel the ElderThe Friendly Gossips (1901) by Eugene de BlaasTwo Women Leaning Back in Sofa, Knitting by Mark RothkoKnitting Gossip Examples #Fybrefest: Unraveling What Went Wrong With this Yarn Festival — Aspen in the Moment'Fybrefest': How the Catskill Wool & Folk Festival unraveled — Times-UnionOriginal post about Stephen West on CraftsnarkWest's first apologyWest's second apologySomething is off about the Stephen West backlash — CraftsnarkTwo Stitches Enter, One Stitch Leaves Storm Sweater vs Staffin PatternThe Sheep Sweater by Rosa Pomar vs Ovis Sweater by Caitlin HunterDiana Black Sheep SweaterButterscotch Sweater vs Newspaper PulloverOther Knitty Things Alison is making the Autumn Alpine sweater with yarn from Queen City YarnAnjali is bartering with the Burgos Vest, knit in Harrisville Designs WATERshed in Elm

What's going on with test knitting culture? Anjali and Alison discuss some of the controversies from the perspectives of both knitters (unrealistic deadlines! demanding photo requirements!) and knitting designers (so much ghosting!). Plus: another edition of Cast On or Drop That Stitch, featuring four trendy knitting patterns. Follow us on Instagram: @twyakpodEmail us: [email protected] Further Reading on Test Knitting Yarnpond: site to find test knitting callsReddit: Test knitting deadlines are getting shorter everywhereReddit: Since when did test knitting just become giving designers free marketing?Reddit: Test Knitting "Reviews"Cast On or Drop That Stitch Patterns Vilma Top by Gregoria FibersUma Scarf by PetiteKnitJanuary Socks by Kaitlin BartholdMiu Top by Una GilOther Knitting Things Anjali's "Woolen Spun" baseball hat from Harrisville DesignsThe Traveler pattern by Andrea MowryFrog It YarnsOxbow Socks pattern by Andrea Mowry

Is knitting good for your mental health if it sometimes makes you feel...bad? In this episode, Anjali and Alison talk about the mental health benefits of knitting, but also some of the darker aspects that aren't often talked about: compulsive yarn buying, procraftination, toxic productivity culture, and more. Follow us on Instagram: @twyakpodEmail us: [email protected] Our new theme song is "Candy Apple Red" by Annabelle Chairlegs! Further Reading & Listening on the Benefits More on soldiers knitting to heal from trauma in Knit, Purl, Heal — Piecework MagazineTherapeutic Knitting with Betsan Corkhill — Why I Knit podcastStitching Time: Women and Fiber Art in Psychiatric History — Psychiatric TimesWhy knitting can help you feel less anxious — Dr. Mia HobbsCrochet increases attention through requiring motor skill learning — NatureFurther Reading on the Complexities We couldn't find the original article we read about procrastination, but here's more on the "Wall of Awful"Meditations for Mortals by Oliver BurkemanBecoming "That Girl": A Digital Ethnography of Productivity and Wellness Culture on YouTube — Kate NortonExcessive Knitting and Addiction — Psychology TodayKnitting, creativity, mental health — Kate DaviesOther Mentions Project KnitwellLou Dangit on InstagramKnitty Things Lumme Pullover in Studio Donegal Soft DonegalCorran Cardigan by Rebecca Clow in De Rerum Natura Robinson in Citronnade

Anjali and Alison dive into the messy topic of knitting as political statement, covering the tricoteuses ("knitting women") of the French Revolution, 2017's famous pink hat, and the Melt the ICE hat. Things get a little spicy! Follow us on Instagram @twyakpod: https://www.instagram.com/twyakpod/ Email us: [email protected] #TWYAK // Show Notes Further Reading The Pussyhat's Identity Crisis — SapiensNot My P***y Hat: Why I Didn't Participate in the Women's March This Year — SELFUnifying yet dividing: voices of pussyhat maker–wearers who participated in the 2017 Women's Marches — Fashion & TextilesAnyone else planning on knitting a p***y hat like everyone did years ago? — RedditWhen You Want the Antiracism Cookie — Antiracist DietitianIn Minneapolis, Knitters Are Protesting With Red Hats — New York TimesSize Inclusive Collective post on InstagramPatterns Mentioned Kitty HatMelt the ICE Hat on RavelryAbolish ICE Beanie on RavelryLumme by Sari NordlandTraveler's Shawl by Andrea MowryZipper Sweater by PetiteKnitYarns Mentioned Flywheel by Harrisville Designs in PenstockRe-Ply Rambouillet by Brooklyn TweedGermantown by Kelbourne WoolensSoft Donegal by Studio DonegalAlso Mentioned Folk Tales documentary

Accusations of copying seem to be all over knitting social media recently. Alison and Anjali dig into the topic of knitting patterns and intellectual property: what can and cannot be copyrighted, and beyond that, what rules are designers socially or ethically bound by? We have some interesting examples to ponder and then we wrap up the episode with another round of Two Stitches Enter, One Stitch Leaves. Follow us on Instagram: @twyakpodEmail us: [email protected] Further Reading For Personal Use Only: Restrictive Clauses in Craft Patterns — Craft Industry AlliancePatterns and copyright protections — Ohio State University LibrariesStephen West shawl destash drama on RedditA short history of knitting patterns in Britain — Victoria and Albert MuseumThis Golden Fleece: A Journey Through Britain's Knitted History by Esther RutterGansey Investigation with Di Gilpin and Sheila GreenwellPattern Examples We Talk About Norma Sweater by My Favorite Things KnitwearHarbor Sweater by OzettaMore on the inspiration for the Norma designIsager Archives collection inspired by Ase Lund JensenPink Fizz by Andrea MowryLace pattern #025 by Hitomi ShidaJapanese Knitting Stitch Bible by Hitomi ShidaSailor Slippers pattern by Annie GermainAspen in the Moment episode about Sailor Slippers dramaYarns & Patterns We Mention Mungo by Retrosaria Rosa PomarMusselburgh Hat by Ysolda Teague in MondimHalibut Cowl by Caitlin Hunter in Alpaca Elegance, in Sencha and DarjeelingAnjali's Lumme pullover is in Brooklyn Tweed Shelter (RIP) in Sweatshirt and Harrisville Designs Watershed in AquiferAnjali's Art Class Description of the classTracey Emin's work

We're back with season 2! And diving right into to a controversial subject: AI, its current role in knitting, and where it might be headed. Plus: our first knit-a-long! Who’s ready for some “Mod Impact Mapping”?? We're yelling about AI and maybe you're gonna want to yell at us in the comments? Books We Mention This Golden Fleece: A Journey Through Britain's Knitted History by Esther Rutter (https://bookshop.org/a/117437/9781783...)The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel (https://bookshop.org/a/117437/9781250...)Further Reading Here’s more on Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation Theory, from Canadian Journal of Nursing Informatics, the hottest name in nursing informatics: (https://cjni.net/journal/?p=1444)How will AI change the world of knitting? - Laine: (https://lainepublishing.com/en-us/blo...)Humans still appreciate humanity, even in the age of Spotify! College Radio Keeps Its Cool - New York Times gift link: (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/st...)Knitting Things Mentioned The Tin Can Knits app (https://tincanknits.com/app) is innovating knitting by letting you choose the size you are knitting and just showing you the instructions for that sizeFor our knit-along, we are knitting the Lumme sweater by Sari Nordlund (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr.... Anjali is knitting with Brooklyn Tweed Shelter in Sweatshirt and Harrisville Designs WATERshed in Aquifer (https://harrisville.com/collections/h.... Alison is still experimenting with yarns.Shout out Ruth for the title cards!

Come along with us and discover the craft (or is it art?) of state fairs! We visited the State Fairs: Growing American Craft exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum earlier this year and are sharing (and showing) our favorite pieces, our big takeaways, and how it relates to our knitting. You'll see hooked rugs healing trauma, Victorian hair wreaths, a portrait of Prince in seeds, and more! #TWYAK Bonus Notes Visit the exhibit at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum through September 7, 2026. Books We Mention Knitting with Dog Hair: Better a Sweater from a Dog You Know and Love Than from a Sheep You'll Never Meet by Kendall CroliusFurther Reading Seed by Seed: Crop Art of the Minnesota State Fair — more on the Seed Queen!More on canning sensation Rod ZeitlerMore about the quilt created by the Battered Offenders Self Help group in KentuckySome detail shots of the hooked rug from Kaye D. Miller, in a blog post by one of the judges. You can see the green onion!

In this episode, we talk about the history behind why knitting became "women's work" (spoiler: because you could no longer earn a livable wage doing it) and how we see that legacy playing out in articles about Gen Z taking up "grandma hobbies," the SciShow controversy, and more. #TWYAK06 Notes Books We Mention Women's Work: The First 20,000 Years by Elizabeth Wayland BarberNorth Woods by Daniel MasonFurther Listening & Reading Elizabeth Wayland Barber on the Haptic & Hue podcastProbably Sarah Cook Arnold Knitting — National Gallery of ArtMore on knitting socks during WWI from Piecework MagazineMore on why ready-to-wear sweaters are terrible now, from The Atlantic and [email protected] — fiber artist Kendall RossAnjali's new fireplace color: Essex Green by Benjamin MoorePatterns & Yarns We Mention Weekender Crew by Andrea MowryFelix Pullover by Amy Christoffers in Mountain Mohair by Green Mountain SpinneryHibernal Socks in Mondim by Retrosaria Rosa Pomar

Knitting has the potential to create garments that fit any sort of body, no matter what that body's traits are. Yet, if you look at the most popular knitting designers and knitting patterns, most often they are thin women designing garments for their own bodies, typically modeled by thin (white, cis, able-bodied) women. Today the question we are exploring is: why is that? We are examining the gap between the potential for knitting to embrace body liberation and the reality of Ravelry's top patterns. #TWYAK05 Notes Books We Mention Fearing the Black Body by Sabrina StringsGirl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves by Sophie GilbertLittle Red in the City by Ysolda TeagueAmy Herzog's Ultimate Sweater Book and Knit to FlatterKnitting Things We Mention Size Inclusivity in Knitting Patterns: Designer's Perspective — Susanna WinterA short and non-exhaustive list of some knitting designers who are vocal about size inclusivity: Jaq Cieslak, Jessie Mae Martinson, James N Watts, Rebecca ClowDefinitely check out the Size Inclusive Repository and follow Size Inclusive Collective on InstagramSome Thoughts on Size Inclusivity in Knitting — Karie WestermannSille Slipover by PetiteKnit in Peer Gynt in Natural TweedSchemer Slipover by Apella.Knits in Kelbourne Woolens Lucky TweedEsther Vest by PetiteKnit in Kelbourne Woolens ErinOther Things We Mention Smithsonian American Art Museum's State Fairs: Growing American Craft exhibitSadly Well+Good seems to be no longer, so you can't read Anjali's article about early nutrition science and eugenics!Creative Youth sewing classesMoon Raccoon Baking Co, a delicious new bakery in Anjali's neighborhood

Welcome to Two Women Yelling About Knitting, a show that is not about what we are buying or what we are making, but instead asks questions like: What is your knitting story? How did you learn, and what does knitting mean to you now? And side note: how exactly do Anjali and Alison know each other?? This is a space where we look up from our works in progress and acquisitions and talk about what we see in the wider world of knitting -- it's political, social, and historical context. But don't worry. It'll be fun! #TWYAK04 Notes Books We Mention Stitch 'n Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook by Debbie StollerWomen's Work: The First 20,000 Years by Elizabeth Wayland BarberKnitting-Related Things We Mention Project Knitwell — the nonprofit that Alison works with, which helps people facing challenges by providing knitting instruction and shared community opportunities that promote wellness and resilienceKnitty is the internet's longest-running free knitting magazine (since 2002!)Make Good podcast — RIP!!!Why I Knit podcastlou.dangit on InstagramAnjali buys her Japanese stationery and pens from Jet Pens. The organizer she uses for her knitting notes is the KOKUYO Novite Alpha Expandable Clear Book - A4 with Midori MD A4 Grid Paper Pad and a blue or black Uni Jetstream Ballpoint Pen - 0.5 mm. A delightful writing experience!The Sophie Shawl by PetiteKnit, if you need a link to the patternBaby Aosta Cardigan by The Knit Purl GirlOther Things We Mention Nature Theater of Oklahoma — Alison's previous theater company!JET Programme — the national Japanese program that Anjali worked for, teaching English at a high school in central JapanLas Culturistas podcast

Hello and welcome to Two Women Yelling About Knitting, a show that is not about what we are buying or what we are making, but instead asks questions like: What is Rhinbeck, and should you care? This is a space where we look up from our works in progress and acquisitions and talk about what we see in the wider world of knitting -- it's political, social, and historical context. But don't worry. It'll be fun! #TWYAK03 Show Notes Books We Recommend Unraveling: What I Learned About Life While Shearing Sheep, Dyeing Wool, and Making the World's Ugliest Sweater by Peggy OrensteinThe Rhinebeck Sweater e-book by Ysolda TeagueVictorian Housecats to Knit by Sara Elizabeth KellnerFiber Festivals We Mention New York Sheep and Wool (a.k.a. Rhinebeck)Frederick Fiber Fest in Frederick, MDMaryland Sheep and WoolFlock Fiber Festival in Seattle, WAEstes Park Wool Market in Estes Park, COVermont Sheep and Wool FestivalPatterns We Mention Ooey Gooey Sweater from Drea Renee KnitsFlorence Sweater by Elenor MortensenMoby Sweater by PetiteKnitZipper Sweater by PetiteKnitEmotional Support Chicken by Annette CorsinoYoung Knitters Discover a Decades-Old Wool Festival — New York Times (gift link)@kristyglass has a Tell Me About Your Rhinebeck Sweater series@aspeninthemoment covered the disastrous 2023 Wool and Folk FestivalRamble campground near Mesa Verde National Park

Hello and welcome to Two Women Yelling About Knitting, a show that is not about what we are buying or what we are making, but instead asks questions like: Should you monetize your hobby? This is a space where we look up from our works in progress and acquisitions, and talk about what we see in the wider world of knitting – its political, social, and historical context. But don't worry. It'll be fun! We're Anjali and Alison, friends who share a love of knitting as well as an interest in a lot of sticky topics that relate to knitting – things like traditional gender roles, consumerism, body liberation, and more. We're recording a six-episode season, with a new episode – and a new topic – every two weeks. If you want to join us on this journey, hit the "Subscribe" button to follow along. #TWYAK02 Notes Books We Recommend Women's Work: The First 20,000 Years by Elizabeth Wayland BarberFour Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman More on the Women's Exchange Movement, which were commercial operations run by and for women with the goal, at least originally, of offering fair compensation for workers, the ability to work at home using traditional female skills, and, just as importantly, the chance for women of a certain class to earn money without having to admit it.What are Knitting Pattern Designers Actually Earning? — Kristen Jancuk / Mediaperuana Knits, which links to a spreadsheet of Ravelry designers' earnings@yarn_over_everything on Instagram, including her Reel about what she makes in a month from knittingAli Makes Everything's episode What YouTube Paid Me: First Year Channel Stats & EarningsAudrey Borrego's designs on RavelryField Day Cardigan by Ozetta in Retrosaria Rosa Pomar Mungo in 08 - Porto, with mussel shell buttons from La MercerieBitty Brioche Kerchief by Iris Eichenlaub on RavelryLittle Skein Yarn and Anne Vally's lovely Substack, Knit TogetherShout out to Reny's in Maine! You can find Comfort Colors, a.k.a. The Best Shirts, there.Golden Earth Designs, maker of Alison's lovely mug and other fiber-arts-related designs