When I received my first email from Khamini Persaud, I was extraordinarily flattered. Without knowing it, she validated all the reasons I started this website, writing that Knit’s All Folks! empowered her by showing the diversity of the fiber community. I love her Instagram feed, and am so happy I got to know her a little better with her interview! She’s also one of those magical unicorn “one project at a time” knitters. (If only I could be so monogamous!) Get to know this fabulous knitter, her insights on knitting as a process, and how knitting kept her company during a lonely time in her life.
What inspired you to start knitting or crocheting?
When I was 7 or 8, I found a book on knitting at my school’s Scholastic book fair and was inspired to learn. I loved the idea of being able to make things for my friends and family. Sadly, my young mind couldn’t grasp knitting from a book. One of my good friends inspired me to try again, so when I was 20 I resolved to teach myself through YouTube.
Has knitting or crocheting got you through a difficult time in your life? If so, how did it help?
Knitting has absolutely helped me with loneliness. My school has a co-op program, where we can alternate semesters with internships and classes. One semester, all of my friends had internships while I was taking classes, so I spent hours with no one to talk to. I was extremely lonely, but through knitting (and YouTube!), I was able to transform my time alone into something productive that I looked forward to.
What keeps you obsessed?
The joy of creating things that others and myself can wear or use is addictive. My schoolwork and future career don’t give me many opportunities to be creative, so knitting is my creative outlet.
What’s your favorite project that you’re working on right now?
I’m a “one project at a time” kinda gal, so my favorite (and only) current project is an infinity scarf for one of my friends. It’s got so. Much. Squish.
Since the submission of her interview she finished her beautiful scarf:
What project are you most proud of? Why?
Hmm that’s a tough one. I think it would have to be my first ever cardigan. I tried to use a pattern at first but ended up improvising a lot and it came out great! I felt a lot more confident in my knitting skills!
What’s the best knitting or crochet advice you have received?
My friend who inspired me to start knitting really showed me that knitting is about the process, and that I don’t need to worry about how fast I knit, or how complicated my projects are. Knitting isn’t a competition, it’s something fun that I do for myself!
Has pop culture had an influence on your knitting or crochet?
Not really. I started getting into knitting social media a good while after I started knitting. I started noticing pop culture references to knitting after I learned how! (Editor’s Note: Me too! I couldn’t stop noticing them, so I had to start writing this blog!)
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