Jeanette Sloan is one of the most delightful and interesting people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting on Instagram. She is truly passionate about highlighting the work and talent of the many people of color working in the fiber industry and is a talented knitwear designer to boot! Read on to find out how knitting has helped her though adversity…I was amazed to find out she has also knit to pass the time in doctors’ waiting rooms.
Has knitting got you through a difficult time in your life? If so, how did it help?
I first became ill with cancer in my early 20’s whilst I was studying textile design at art college. At the time I didn’t realize how seriously ill I was so I chose to stay at college and finish my studies. I’d spend hours undergoing tests before I could have chemotherapy so I’d take my knitting with me to the hospital. I’ve had a two more bouts of cancer since then and made sure there was knitting in my bag every time I had a hospital appointment. When I had brain surgery two years ago I knew that if I could focus enough to knit I’d be on the road to recovery. It’s helped me through so many of these difficult times because I really believe it helps to absorb and relax my mind.
What keeps you obsessed?
The endless possibilities at your fingertips when you combine two sticks and a piece of yarn.
What’s your favorite project that you’re working on right now?
Even though I promised myself that I’d have more of a handmade wardrobe in 2018 I don’t often get to knit for myself and despite currently having numerous projects on the needles it’s all work related. I’m in the process of updating my Lumi Lace Sock pattern and love that because it’s in a DK weight yarn it’s quicker to knit than regular socks. Speaking of regular socks I’ve got a four ply fair isle sock design that’s been on the needles for longer than I’d care to admit because I keep having mental blanks on the pattern (that tends to happen regularly since my brain surgery). I’ve had to learn not to stress and just come back to it when my head is up to it again. Next though I’m working on a lacy wrap design for a UK magazine using Erika Knight’s blend of wool and nettle fiber called Wild Wool. I can’t wait to cast that on.
What project or design are you most proud of? Why?
Wow it’s difficult to pin it down to just one, I really have to love each design otherwise I really couldn’t create anything. Aside from designs like Maggiore which was the first of my designs to appear on the cover of The Knitter magazine the two pieces that make me particularly proud are the Camellia sweater and Constance cowl I did for British designer Erika Knight. I’ve admired her design aesthetic since I was a student so to be asked to design for her yarn brand and to now count her as a friend is a huge thing for me.
What’s the best knitting or crochet advice you have received?
Find your own style and design what you love. Oh and as I’ve come to find over the last few years, you can never make too many notes!
How did your article regarding #diversknitty for Knitting Magazine come about? Did you pitch the idea? The article can be found here.
I have never been so amazed by the power of social media. The article came about when the ‘diversknitty’ and ‘black people don’t knit’ conversations converged. The diversknitty hashtag started by Nathan Taylor (aka @sockmatician) was intended to invite knitters and crafters of all colours, sexual orientation, abilities, ages and disciplines to connect because Nathan felt his IG feed wasn’t diverse enough. The #blackpeopledoknit hashtag came about on the back of (@lhamiltonbrown) Lorna Hamilton Brown’s dissertation ‘Myth: Black People Don’t Knit’ which examined how important it is to document the art and oral histories of black knitters. I thought the discussion created by the two issues was interesting, told my editor Christine about it and was asked to write about it from my perspective as a black knitwear designer.
Was there anything surprising that you learned from writing that article?
I’d written for Knitting for over 10 years and had never made any reference to my colour as, in a very British way I didn’t think it made any difference to the knitters who read what I wrote. For some it still makes no difference that I’m black. For others, who are black, it’s important that they see designers and models who look like them in order that they feel at home in our crafting community. I love that platforms like IG make it so easy to connect with people from all over the world, after all that’s how I connected with you! The name Variegated yarn Tales sums it up beautifully and I’m honoured that you’ve added me to them.
Follow Jeanette on Instagram here.
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