3 Active Online Communities for Plus-Size Knitting and Sewing
Have you ever noticed that when you get a new (or new-to-you) car, you suddenly notice a bazillion other cars just like it on the road? Whoa, when did everyone get a car just like me? You feel like you just joined the cult of the [insert car here] drivers. You may even feel a twinge of I-can’t-believe-she-wore-the-same-dress-as-me-to-the-party.
I don’t have a new car, I drive a 13 year old hand-me-down Honda Accord. But I do have a new blog about plus-size patterns. Now that I spend a few hours each morning thinking and writing about this topic I’ve noticed that there are some very active communities out there for plus-size crafters!
Whoa, where have you been all this time? I feel like I’ve joined a community where if someone wears the same dress as me to the party, I’ll give them a big high five ’cause we made that dress our own selves!
Here are three hang-outs I’ve found this week:
- Ample-Knitters Yahoo Group: “Topics of discussion include locating large-size patterns, successful & unsuccessful attempts at converting “regular” size patterns, fitting issues of all sorts, designing sweaters especially to fit our proportions, etc.”
- Big Girl Knits Yahoo Group: “This list is a discussion group about patterns and issues in the Big Girl Knits book. I hope to have KALs (knit a longs), and there will be a project gallery so we can all share what we have made!” You can see the book on Amazon here: Big Girl Knits : 25 Big, Bold Projects Shaped for Real Women with Real Curves
- Craftser.org’s Clothing for Curvaceous Crafters forum: Great discussions about plus-size sewing adventures with frequent posting. Be sure to check out the “completed projects” section for you-can-do-it inspiration. And I love the post about creating a duct tape double.
What other communities are out there? Are there any just for crochet? What about local meet-ups?
Take care and TGIF!
Knit N Style April 07 has a knit jacket, a crochet jacket, a hiking vest, a bolero, and a long tunic vest that all go up to size XXL.
BH&G Crochet Winter 06 has a bobble cardigan (up to 3x), red mohair coat (1X), fisherman pullover (2x), bell-sleeve tunic (2x), lace shrug (1x), lace skirt (1x), short sleeved jacket (1x), and pink shell jacket (1x). The Bell-Sleeve Tunic is really cute.
Those magazine happen to be sitting on my desk.
Awesome! I have the BH&G Crochet magazine - I’ll have to upload some photos this weekend. BH&G is great about plus-size patterns. I haven’t seen the new Knit N Style yet but I’ll check it out. I hear there’s also a new Interweave Knits and I can’t wait to get my mitts on it!
I just ordered some past issues of some of these magazines (patterns included!) http://www.ottobredesign.com/en/print/index.html they appear to be REAL sized women (why is it in germany bigger seems normal?)
As soon as I get them I can’t wait to get started!
There is a TERRIFIC yahoo group for plus size crocheters! It is called crochet_4_amply_and_superamply_blessed. The list mom is a real sweetheart and there are lots of published knit & crochet designers and publishers that are members. Jen, aren’t you also a member?!
PS - the listmom has TONS of patterns for ample sized folks in the group section. They are all free patterns. And there are free patterns designed by some group members also listed in the group files. You can’t possibly leave this group out when you are listing online communities for plus size crafters!