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Hi Naomi I have been trying to cancel my patreon payments - no luck

Congratulations Naomi. Your husband is my cousin Susan's son. I love watching your channel. I go to a Busy Hands group and I agree with everything you said. Much happiness to you. x

I've been watching more of your videos since subscribing, and I just wanted to thank you so much for all the lightbulb moments you've given me. 1. I don't have to knit jumpers and cardigans. 2. It's ok to love acrylic yarn. 3. The word "selfish" must be banned when speaking about crafting. 4. Knitting doesn't need to be an expensive hobby. 5. I can do what I like with my knitting. It's MY knitting. Why hadn't I realised these things before?? Thanks Naomi. ❤ PS. You may well be married by now, but congratulations on your engagement/wedding!🎉

Love everything you’ve said! I am an equal opportunity yarn hoarder. I knit baby blankets for friends and family….can you imagine making one out of expensive hand wash only yarn?!?! That new mama would hate me! Acrylic is wonderful to use when knitting/crocheting for kids. They make a mess and acrylic is easy to clean. Each yarn has its own uses….don’t discriminate…don’t be a yarn snob 👍🏽

Just found your channel....thank you for having the guts to say this!! I love acrylic too, and it's enabled me to keep knitting in these difficult financial times. I've noticed that the people who highlight the environmental impact of acrylic yarns are sometimes the same people who have their woollen yarns flown to them from halfway across the world. Or they use other plastics in their everyday life without giving those a second thought. I loved what you said about remembering where we came from when we learned to knit. That's a good thing for us all to think about. It's so good to find someone grounded in the knitting podcast world, new subscriber here! 😊

I get yarn for Christmas every year. That’s the majority of my yarn purchases. I do occasionally buy yarn to complete a project, but I try to buy colors that I have used and will most likely use again

Love your video s it helped me learn how to knit

I did some cotton dishcloths for local cafe long time ago there dint used them so I stop knitting for them. I am knitting corner to corner blanket for my daughter in stylecraft batik swirl cake yarn

I've tried a couple of knit and natters but have only ever gone the once. There seem to be a few reasons why I haven't gone back. Location, partner on shift and I need to be with the kids, forgetting when they're on. Maybe I'll try again soon. I need to find one that's closer and not during working hours 😊

I used to feel embarrassed when I was asked 'who are you making that for?' I would never like to say me, but now I say it with pride. The other thing that gets me is when people say, oh wow that looks amazing, you should make loads and sell them. They get so shocked when I tell them the time it takes to make the item and how much I would have to sell them for.

I love my yarn stash. This year though, all the yarn I have been buying hasn't even hit my stash, it has been going straight into projects 😊

I knit in public a lot and one of the most common questions is 'are you knitting for charity? so and so charity have some lovely patterns.' It depends on my mood as to whether they get a straight no, or I only knit with wool so not so easy to wash, or the full explanation that all my yarn is hand spun and I source the fleece direct from the farmers and process myself, I design the patterns and will occasionally sell small items but at a realistic price . Selfish ? no, just enjoying a hobby

Thank you! You are so creative and fun.

I love the tiger scarf! Could you give me the title and author of that book? Thank you so much!

I met some amazing people at our local knitting group, in fact I met the best friend I have ever had ,on paper we would have nothing in common and lifestyles couldn't be more different but knitting brought us together xx

i think my favourite thing is the opportunity to socialise without the pressure of being very confident or extroverted. the first one i went to i didn't know anyone else and was ridiculously nervous and i barely said a word but i still had a nice time, and now it's one of the things i look most forward to every month and i have a great time chatting away for a few hours. i think because you have something to do with your hands it doesn't feel awkward to just go and knit and follow the conversation, without feeling like you need to say something if you can't think of anything to say.

Yay, you're back! For some reason, TH-cam didn't notify me of your new videos. I now have lots to catch up on.

I love hearing from you. You Tube is my knitting natter.....

Cats prefer wool and wool type fibers. Everytime I block any of my wool bassed makes they are all over it. Smells like food ...

Aww I’m glad YT showed me this video 😊 I’m a cat loving crocheter. I have made granny triangle scarves for dog friends of mine, and I once did make a little Halloween bonnet for my cat, at the request of my daughter. (We got it on her long enough to take a pic and that’s it.) I have made a kitty blanket and I plan on making more of them and also pet beds/blankets to donate to animal shelters. I haven’t learned to knit yet, but it is on my list! See ya on the purr side 😂

I've made a cro-knit vest for my dog with scrap yarn. It was super fun because I was thinking it out as I went. The back was in granny squares and the front I made in sections of knitted rib, to make is stretchy

So grateful the algorithm brought us together

You do make me smile Naomi , especially when you have daft thoughts. You should definitely make the shark hat. I’m so pleased that you’re excited to crochet again….yay!

Before watching this video, I’d never even heard the term ‘selfish knitter’, and I certainly don’t regard myself as one. I sew, knit and crochet and I do sometimes make gifts for others, but it has to be my choice to do that. I hate/dislike intensely people asking me to make them something, because, when I have in the past, it feels like a chore and I rarely enjoy it.

I have been knitting for a long while, and for many years would just purchase the yarn for one project and finish that before buying more. Somewhere along the way I started buying yarn when I saw something that I liked, and ended up with a collection that left me feeling overwhelmed. I am slowly getting through it by donating, selling or just using it, and like you I wanted to just get rid of everything at one point. I am going to attempt a stash free 2024, my goal being to have no more than three projects worth of yarn. I have also just donated all of my quilting and cross stitch supplies. I know some people love having a stash and I think that is wonderful, but it just doesn’t work for me.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. I don't say the following as a better than thou place, I promise. Just sharing my experience. I started crocheting last fall. I have a background in minimalism. I'm not a hardcore minimalist anymore, but some of the philosophies stay with me. Such as being mindful of your purchases and items - do they truly belong in your life. Do they bring you joy or are they just a dopamine purchase. I bought a small craft bag and from the very first day, I said I would not buy more yarn than I could fit in that bag. Seven months later, I'm staying strong. In the beginning, I bought what I now consider to be crappy yarn. I don't like it and I know there's better yarn out there. BUT, I don't want to waste the yarn I bought. I paid money for it and I don't want it to just be thrown in a landfill. I donated a couple balls to a friend and she made me a really cute hat with it. The rest, I'm determined to use. It's so hard. I haven't bought new yarn in months. I WANT new yarn. I can afford new yarn. But I made a promise with myself and my partner that I wouldn't end up in a hoarding situation with it. My craft area is my computer desk and that craft bag I mentioned. I FORCE myself to clean up my entire crafting mess right after I'm done with a project. No excuses for me, I HAVE to clean it. I say that as I'm watching your video and crocheting the millionth butterfly, but I can see the end of the skein and the butterflies are going to go to great use. I wish everyone peace on their crafting journey. It's supposed to bring joy!

Hi Naomi. I've been knitting for over 30 years, prob longer and I know I have yarns from back then. Being disabled and knackered ( honest I am 😂) I just don't have the energy to organise my crafting things. I so, so want to. But I decided last week I was going to try to go th one or two bags a week. Carrier bags size bags or boxes. It's just a pain that you have to make more mess o get sorted. Have to mention your look today is gorgeous. Your hair really suits you. xxJane 🐑🌼

You are so right. I have the yarn, the pattern, buttons every thing I need to make the cardigan I've been wanting to make for three years - or more! But because I'm busy making family and charity things it is just sat there in the project bag awaiting me. I need to be a more selfish crafter! Thank you Naomi for giving me my crafts back! xxJane 🐑🌼 Though I can guarantee if one of my ten grandchildren ask for something it will be on the hook, needles etc the same day! 🤷

Yes, I agree with you Naomi, it's a horribel word. Maybe a non - knitter who came up with that word; "Selfish knitter" ? ! Non - knitters and non - sewer's have a "weird" thinking & expectstions about this. They think that we can do the unthinkable with garments or accessories, but they don't have those demandings or thoughts when they're byuing garments & acc out in store's/ boutique's. My heart sinks when I see how sheap one can buy a handmade blankets in a thrift stores. For me a handmade blanket it's a heirloom. Very greatful for your thoughts Naomi, thanky-li-thanks.🐣🦋🐇

Thank you so much for saying all this. Just found you and I'm looking forward to following you and your crafting! ❤

There was a slightly shocked silence at a sewing class I attended. I was explaining why I didn’t want to make a back bag which was the proposed project. Thebag wasn’t something I would use Someone said ‘ you could give it to someone’. I explained that I only knitted or sewed for myself hence the silence. The reason I knit or sew is not just for a hobby but because shop bought clothes just don’t fit. I am very short and quite ancient Modern clothes are either too long or short , jumpers and cardigans go to my knees and are far too expensive. If that Makes me selfish so be it. I am too old to worry 🙂

Really enjoyed this video. Your humorous approach made me giggle. Had to contain myself because hubby is still sleeping. As a life long sewist and new knitter I have never heard the world “selfish” attached to my passionate hobbies at least not too my face. You are right, it’s an absolutely ridiculous word. Knitters and sewists need to stop using it themselves. We need to use our God given talent to experience the joy intended. Keep up the videos! 😀

I agree with most of what you said and have more to add. However, i dont feel like writing paragraphs on my tablet at the moment. Let me just say that I make things now for people i like and who I know appreciatre it and will take care of it properly.

Honestly I don't feel like it's selfish to make things mainly for ourselves. If it brings you joy to make things for charity, friends, or family then do that. It can take takes dozens if not hundreds of hours of our free time to make things. I don't mind making small things for friends or family like hats n stuff but only if people have shown themselves to be "knit worthy" They also need to explicitly express that they want hand made things because most people just don't care enough. My partner showed so much enthusiasm for a simple stockinette hat that maybe took like 6-12 hours that I'm happy to make him more time intensive items. But he also knows that he's getting something whenever I feel the urge to actually make something especially larger projects. Some people can knock out a sweater in a month but I'm definitely not one of those people. 😅 I also live in a warmer climate so hand made items don't get used as often here vs a colder climate.

I had never heard of selfish knitting until I started watching u tube ,I hate the saying xx

Well said. Totally agree w you! I never really thought about other crafters/hobbyists making “selfish” bags, buttons, clothes, cabinets, etc etc. Thanks !

i think what you said is very true. i knit a bunch of stuff for my nephew but then went back to knitting things for myself. my brother commented to me that I had mentioned making a bunch more stuff for my nephew but hadn't gotten around to it and I thought it was so rude. I've probably already spent a few hundred hours making him things, I should be allowed to spend some time making things for myself as well.

Thank you for making this video and voicing opinions so many others share but don’t like to own up to . Very refreshing. I have always felt under pressure to make charity knits with yarn I don’t enjoy using for garments that I feel are probably not appropriate for the recipients because it’s expected of me as a crafter.

Love love love this. I totally feel the pressure to always upgrade but this reminded me that that’s really not necessary!

I never thought of myself as a selfish knitter but lately I've decided to stop knitting for others in self defense. I used to knit for charities & was told I could only use wool yarn for certain items and I've knitted for friends & family and found the items were never worn or were even given away. That is so much more hurtful when you've taken the time to knit a gift than if you just go to a store & buy something. Now I knit for myself & know that what I spend my time & money on will be used and appreciated.

I love this video!! Give us more!!

I so agree with everything you said, you've got it in a nutshell !!!

I am in N Y wearing my first knitted sweater which is acrylic. Love you videos!

I keep my favorite Ami too.

I don't make stuff for other people very often. And I have a select few people who I would make stuff for as well. Funnily enough, they're all people who craft their selves so know how much time/effort goes into it. I once wore a pair of fingerless gloves I'd crocheted to work and one of my colleagues mentioned how much she liked them, then said 'I'd pay £3 for those!' Yarn cost more than that, and it was commercial yarn! Needless to say, she did not receive any crochet gloves!

This is a good subject, because I have so many WIPs on the go for friends and family, and I feel guilty for wanting to make something nice for myself. Sometimes I overextend myself to the point where it becomes a chore rather than a relaxing hobby.