Diarus Jackson is the very first man to be featured in a Variegated Yarns interview! He is a yarn dyer, knitter, and crocheter. He has some great photography skills, and is so fun to follow on Instagram. In fact, almost all of his featured projects in this interview are designed by him! Read his interview to learn more about his favorite hat project, check out his beautiful sock skills, and find out when he unravels.
Gorgeous yarn used for this hat is from www.savvyskeins.com. Hat design “Ahlie Hat” by Dana Gervais.
Has knitting got you through a difficult time in your life? If so, how did it help?
Knitting hasn’t gotten me through a difficult time in life but crocheting has. My grandmother taught me how to crochet. When she passed away I picked it back up and went full steam ahead. With me crocheting the way I did, it has gotten me to the skill levels I possess today even with knitting.
What keeps you obsessed?
Being able to create handmade items that not only myself love but others. I love displaying my ART. I love getting the positive feedback and responses. It pleases me to see others wearing my creations.
What’s your favorite project that you working on right now?
I am currently working on many projects but my favorite one has to be cabled hats. I recently finished a cabled hat for my wife and she loves it. She has gotten so many compliments on the hat. I enjoyed knitting the hat so much that I’m searching for the right yarn to make two more hats for a couple of family members.
What project or design are you most proud of? Why?
One of my proudest projects is a pair of cable socks I knitted two years ago. Those socks laid the foundation of my sock knitting. I love knitting socks and I’ve been able to perfect my methods at doing so all because of me challenging myself with that one pair.
What’s the best knitting or crochet advice you have received?
The best knitting and crocheting advice I’ve received is to unravel mistakes. Before, if I made a mistake, I would either continue knitting or crocheting or just stop the project. Now that I’m more advanced at reading my work and patterns I can clearly see when and where I’ve made a mistake and I will unravel to that row.
Follow Diarus on Instagram here.
Check out his website diarusmade.com.
If you would like to be featured in the “Variegated Yarn Tales” column, please join the community and read our guidelines here!
10 Comments
So amazing!! This series is off to a great start!! I love his openness and honesty 😊
He has been great to get to know! Thanks for reading his interview!
Thanks for these wonderful interviews. Apparently there was some huge kerfluffle going on 8n the fiber arts community this January involving the exclusion of PoC, os these interviews are a huge godsend for me to find out more about PoC in the community, how and what they’re doimg.
Yes, the entire community has started talking about the lack of representation and diversity. This has been apparent to me for years, which is why I started publishing these interviews 2 years ago. Always good to diversify your media! Both fiber and everywhere else!
Im thankful for Monica for allowing me to be interviewed. I just want to be able to share myself with the yarn community so that I may continue to encourage and inspire. Many have inspired me to get to where I am today so now it’s my turn.
Absolutely awesome piece. LOVE IT.
Thank you! And thanks for stopping by!
I’m always thankful for you taking the time out to read the interview!
I’m so pleased to see a male crocheter/knitter featured. I’d love to hear more about how people respond to him as a man doing needle crafts. It’s so commonly looked at as a female activity but I’ve met many men on the subway knitting.
I agree with you and that’s why I strive to get myself known, so that many will see that this is not just for the ladies. I’ve met a few male knitters that are great with the crafts. If you would love to see how people respond to me being a male, go check out my instagram page @diarus.jackson. Thank you for taking the time out to read my interview!