February is Black History month, so I would like to introduce The Yarn Mission. They were kind enough to take time to tell me about The Yarn Mission. So get your favorite morning beverage and let’s go.
The Yarn Mission is a collective that knits for Black Liberation.
1. When did you give birth and is this your brain child?
The Yarn Mission began in 2014 with a group of Black Women who met during the early stages of the Ferguson Uprising following the murder of Mike Brown. One of those Black Women taught the others to knit. It was a way for us to share radical space together outside of the streets. It was dreamed that through The Yarn Mission, we would be able to further support efforts for Black Liberation which included provide healing and non-oppressive spaces. At this point, The Yarn Mission is also becoming a way to live our liberation through cooperative economics and purposeful community.
The Yarn Mission exists in St. Louis, Missouri and Minneapolis, MN. There are chapters emerging in Atlanta, GA and Brooklyn, NY as well.
Many people are involved in The Yarn Mission in different ways. For example, there are several of us who actively work to keep The Yarn Mission going. We do this through making, organizing, and meeting for The Yarn Mission. There are others who join us in our community spaces helping us to live our liberation in non-oppressive gatherings. Further there are even more who support us through purchases and staying connected through our online platforms.
All folks willing and able to approach the world in an anti-oppressive way can be part of The Yarn Mission. We plan to grow more chapters as well. They must be Black-led and are able to develop organically according to the people involved.
The Mission
2. What is the goal? The name has mission in it, what is the mission?
Our ultimate goal is, as you can probably guess, Black Liberation. When all Black people are free all people will be free. We want to live in a liberated society. We approach our mission from three tenants. Specifically, we are pro-Black, pro-rebellion, and pro-community. Being pro-Black means that we support Black people with whatever they are doing, wherever they are. We purposefully build relationships with other Black artists and makers. We also support Black businesses and endeavors of other sorts. Pro-rebellion means that we support resistance and rebellion in various forms and build relationships with other groups doing anti-oppression organizing. For example, we consider the Million Artist Movement to be a sister formation of ours. Please check them out here: millionartistmovement.com. In being pro-community, we work hard to be accessible to community according to variation definitions. We seek to be part of community and to help support community-led missions.
3. How long have you been knitting? Do you Crochet as well?
We would like for you to hear from a few of us. Please watch our about us page for additions.
Meet the crew
CheyOnna: I have been knitting for about 12 years. I have experienced two turning points in my knitting. The first was joining in on knit nights at Knitorious in St. Louis, MO. I immediately began to learn so much from those around me and began to challenge myself more. The second was with the start of The Yarn Mission. I have grown in my understanding of the techniques and learned so many more. I now consider myself an excellent and effective teacher and have begun designing my own knitwear. I also crochet. Crocheting is very special to me. My mother taught me how to crochet when I was around 8 years old. It feels so natural at this point and is so warming.
Taylor: I learned almost two years ago after meeting CheyOnna at a direct action training in Ferguson. After 5 hours, I learned how to cast on and fell in love. The Yarn Mission and knitting provides self care and a safe space for organizing during and since the protests. I’m constantly learning new techniques through community skill sharing, texts with fiber friends, and reading. I haven’t learned to crochet, but would love to learn from anyone who has 5 hours to spare! .
Jeanne: I learned to knit just over four years ago when I was 45. I wanted to learn how to knit a sweater. Someone taught me how to cast on and knit, and I learned how to do everything else from YouTube. When I learned about The Yarn Mission in 2015, I was so excited that the founder CheyOnna was moving to Minneapolis because I’m a white woman who wants to support the movement for Black lives. It is the perfect intersection of my interests. Going to the TYM meetups has challenged me to do things I didn’t do before, like doing designing for TYM. No crochet for me. I tried. It was a failure.
Annie: I learned to knit in 7th grade (16 years ago!!!) from my Spanish teacher. It was apart of a volunteer effort in Kiwanis club. I don’t remember that much Spanish, but I really liked knitting. My freshman year of college someone suggested I learn to knit socks, and I was completely hooked. In college I helped found a group called “Knitting for Peace” and taught many people to knit through that venue. I love The Yarn Mission because I can continue to use my knowledge and skills to teach others, help out my community, and challenge myself with new techniques. My mom tried to teach me how to crochet when I was around 8, it ended in tears. I’ve tried to learn a few times since, but it has never stuck.
Teamwork
4. I noticed you do a lot of collaborations, how is that working out?
Collaborations are one way for us to practice cooperative economics and it is very important to us. We love bringing other Black artists and makers with us into the spaces to which we are invited. Our dream is that even more artists and makers will join our cooperative economics so that we are all able to sustain together. We dream of collective ownership and communal existence.
5. Thank you for including my cups in your booth, how else can I help the mission?
We appreciate you and all that you do. We would like to love and support you in whatever ways you need or want. One of our greatest aspirations is that everyone (and especially other Black artists and makers) will consider themselves to be a part of The Yarn Mission. Thank you for the opportunity to share our mission. We are currently running a donation campaign and appreciate you sharing this information with your community (www.youcaring.com/LoveOnTYM).
Folks can learn more about us at www.theyarnmission.com. They can follow us and join our group on facebook: www.facebook.com/theyarnmission www.facebook.com/groups/theyarnmission; on instagram & twitter @theyarnmission. We also have a ravelry group. Our support page provides additional information regarding ways that folks can support Black Liberation with us www.theyarnmission.com/support.
Wow! I don’t know how I connected with you guys, but I am happy I did. Thank you for spending time with me! Knit on on ladies…knit on
GG
Awesome! Thanks for sharing this. I will learn more about the Yarn Mission.
Glad you enjoyed
That was such an interesting article. My daughter teaches school and she read the article and she is going to tell read it to her students. Did you know a Black man invented the golf tee. She has been studying so she can tell her students what awesome things were invented by Black men and women.
Tell your daughter I said thank you!