Knitting By Ali

So knitting for Olive sold to private holdings/equity and announced it today. I’m having a lot of disappointed thoughts about it.

So much about the arts is going away. And don’t get me wrong I understand we all need money to survive and if you have a business the goal is to be profitable, but I can’t help but feel like another beloved yarn brand selling to private equity is frustrating. We’ve seen the quality go down in others.

Let me know what you think

Vulnerable post incoming…

I have been knitting for over twenty years. Not always consistently, not always well, and there have been times where I strayed away for years. But I always come back. Because it’s comfortable, it’s familiar, it’s an escape.

I’ve been dyeing yarn for 6 years now, and to be honest I almost decided to close up shop this year. When I recovered from my broken ankle, I felt like all of my progress and growth had completely disappeared. Dyeing yarn became something that wasn’t fun anymore. It was difficult on a bad leg. There were so many more dyers entering the space. I felt a bit lost in who I was and what I wanted to do. Then add in the astronomical costs of life and tariffs and everything that I know every small business is currently navigating because of this unstable government we have. I went as far as to tell friends I was going to stop dyeing yarn.

But something happened over the last couple of months. I feel rejuvenated when it comes to creating. I feel inspired again. I feel really excited about my projects and my fall collection I’m dyeing up. Turns out I just needed to look at home for some inspiration (that’s a hint on the collection theme)

So hi, I’m Ali. If you’ve been here. Thank you. If you’re new here, thank you. I can’t wait to show you what’s next 🤭

It’s and not only did I finish knitting a pair of socks, but I also made progress on TWO of my wips!

I posted a bit last week about facing some knitting burnout, but thanks to starting my I feel like I’ve really found motivation to cruise on some of my projects.

Are you working on anything fun right now?

Make a swatch with me using the funky green of my DREAMS!

Can you guess what sweater I’m swatching for? Hint: 🌊🚤

Finally after two weeks of knitting burn out I have been inspired again and am back with a wip Wednesday update!

I’m working on a Norma blouse (which I’ll discuss this more in a later video) using merino and soft silk mohair in oatmeal, dusty aqua, and plum rose.

So far not too much progress but we’re getting there.

Welcome to a new series I have decided to call “Ravelry library diving” (name might need to be workshopped)

I’m in kind of a major knitting slump and wanted to poke through my Ravelry library of patterns I already have to see if starting something there will get me out of this stockinette boredom.

Patterns mentioned:
Rosie sweater -
Stripe hype -
Brioche bliss -

I was going to post a poll but tbh I think I’m going to swatch for the brioche bliss 🤣

A little on a Thursday where I also discuss the knitting burnout I’m currently facing. I want to cast on something new to get me out of this funk, but I also really want to finish a project first. The constant dilemma 😭

Projects mentioned:
- Bruges cardigan by
- Olga sweater by

Run errands with me as a small business owner! Today I dropped some orders at the post office, went to the library to pick up my holds, and hit up starlight for some yarn I didn’t really need!

Taking the leap into starting your own business is terrifying. There’s so much self doubt and mental comparison, but the reward far outweighs that for me.

Creating my own yarn is something i never would have dreamed of when I began knitting as a kid, I probably didn’t even know that it was possible. Back then all I used was lion brand fun fur (who remembers this LOL) now I’m almost six years into my own hand dyeing business. It has its challenges, but I love it. I love the community.

Comment “yarn” if you’re interested in seeing my newest collection 🤗