78 episodes

The Close Knit Podcast aims to hold space for conversation about the ways we use fiber to process life and world events.

Close Knit Ani Lee

    • Leisure
    • 4.7 • 69 Ratings

The Close Knit Podcast aims to hold space for conversation about the ways we use fiber to process life and world events.

    EPISODE 68 :: Nathan Ford

    EPISODE 68 :: Nathan Ford

    In episode 68 of the Close Knit podcast, I spoke to Nathan Ford. Nathan is an improvisational quilter, soft historian, and overall tender maker currently working in Kansas City, MO. Ford’s practice currently revolves around the intersections of queer history and his family history of labor in the Rust Belt. Ford creates quilts that incorporate traditional quilt blocks with unconventional materials to communicate issues of status, sexual desire, and personal identity. He has participated in group shows both in Kansas City and Central Ohio including 3 at the KCAI Gallery, and ImageOHIO. Ford’s work was featured in Attention Grabbing, published by The Columbus Dispatch.
    Sadly, episode 68 had a technical malfunction that resulted in most of the episode not saving (cue tears). I salvaged what I could, namely the last 10ish min of our conversation, and I hope you enjoy this small bit of my conversation with Nathan - it was truly such a treat to speak with him.

    • 14 min
    EPISODE 67 :: Mckenzie Mullen of Emtothethird Yarn Co

    EPISODE 67 :: Mckenzie Mullen of Emtothethird Yarn Co

    In episode 67 of the Close Knit podcast, I spoke to Mckenzie Mullen of Emtothethird Yarn Co. Mckenzie is a queer, fat, Chicana, femme Granny Punk who currently lives in Portland, OR. She runs a small business, Em To The Third Yarn Co., which focuses on knitting, illustrations, and natural dyes.
    We talk about information sharing/gatekeeping in the textile community, queerness & zine culture, knitting as a mindfulness exercise, finding fruitful ways to connect on and offline, and making as a radical and joyful act of clothing yourself.

    • 58 min
    A Podcast Update!

    A Podcast Update!

    hi friends!
    I wanted to give a little update about the close knit podcast and where we’re headed. I recently moved over to substack, which is where I’ll be writing a monthly newsletter and exploring a slightly more experimental practice that will include soundbites and other audio that I’m feeling excited about.
    At first, I thought I would post that more experimental work in the same place at the Close Knit Podcast, but it seemed right for this experiment to have its own little home that’s separate from the Close Knit Podcast.
    If you’re interested in reading more of my work & hearing from me more often, you can subscribe over on substack. I’ve officially turned off my patreon, so I won’t be using that platform anymore to collect pledges or post work - it’ll all just be on substack. It’s still just $5/month (or $50/year) to become a paid subscriber.
    As you may already know, Close Knit is not my main gig, nor is it a “side hustle”. it is, simply, a hopeful gesture of connection delivered to you via the internet. Paying subscribers help me give close knit (both this podcast and the more experimental practice on substack) a consistent home on the internet. my monetary goal is simple and humble: to offset the costs of sharing online.
    I’d be absolutely delighted to have you join me over on substack. I’ve felt really motivated and excited to share more writing and audio, and I’m hopeful to be in conversation with you all.
    If you’re just looking for the usual interview-style Close Knit Podcast, you’re in the right place. Stay tuned for more episodes right here. My intention is to keep up the interviewing practice when I can manage it and to deliver you a simple, slightly less polished version of the Close Knit Podcast. These episodes won’t have a set cadence, but I’ll always announce new episodes via the newsletter, so no worries, you’ll never miss a new episode.
    Thanks so much to everyone who has been supporting me through the many transitions and shapes that Close Knit has taken - whether financially or through your friendship, it has all meant the absolute world to me. Connecting with readers and listeners is the true lifeblood of this work, I wouldn’t keep making it if it weren’t for you.
    I think that’s all for now. Hope to see you on substack, either as a free of paid subscriber, and catch ya in your headphones when the next Close Knit Podcast episode airs.
    xx
    your ani

    • 2 min
    A Podcast Pause

    A Podcast Pause

    where do we begin? it's been a ~ time ~ we're collectively living through.
    i’m feeling a little frayed around the edges, like a piece of fabric that’s been through the wash. lately, i’ve been drawn to unraveling, literally and otherwise - unraveling things down to their fundamental parts - and i’m noticing that my relationship to close knit is in a state of transition.
    folks listening to, finding each other through, and enjoying the podcast has been the lifeblood of this work for me. i look forward to a future where i have rested and realigned to be able to bring you more of these conversations.
    if you’ve just found the close knit podcast, i’d love to gently nudge you to check out the archives, and if you’re a long-time listener, thank you so much for being here. you can always reach me at hi [at] close-knit.co.
    until next we meet, with deep & tender care,
    your ani

    • 7 min
    EPISODE 66 :: Masego Morgan & Stella Hertantyo of cncs_

    EPISODE 66 :: Masego Morgan & Stella Hertantyo of cncs_

    In episode 66 of the Close Knit podcast, I spoke to Masego Morgan and Stella Hertantyo of cncs_ (pronounced “conscious”). I so cherished this conversation with these two - it felt like a wonderful space to sit in our uncertainty and be candid about no knowing what is next.
    Masego is a sustainable fashion advocate, residing in the suburbs of Cape Town. Currently doing her postgrad in Sustainable Development, while working as a creative strategist for a local South African brand called Good Good Good - this may change by the time the episode is out since she’s finding it difficult to balance the two and have a personal life. She’s terrible at following instructions, whether it's a recipe or a design pattern.
    At the end of last year, Stella completed her B.A. in Multimedia Journalism and she is currently doing her Postgraduate Diploma at the Sustainability Institute in Cape Town. Stella is a slow living enthusiast and a lover of low-impact fashion. She is passionate about encouraging an approach to sustainability that is inclusive, accessible, fun and locally-centred, as we try to figure out how to create a regenerative future. When I'm not in front of my laptop doing uni work, you'll probably find me reading, writing, illustrating or baking/cooking. A dip in the ocean, or a walk in the mountains, are the two things that bring me the most peace.
    At the beginning of 2020, Masego and Stella created an online platform together, called cnscs_. They created cnscs_, because they wanted to create an online community where knowledge, ideas, and resources around sustainable living (especially in a local context) could be shared. They see cnscs_ as a space to introduce people to sustainable living and apply it to their lives in a way that’s sustainable to them. Their focus is on telling and sharing African stories and decolonising the current sustainability narrative. They share interviews with lots of change-making people, resource-based articles that inspire positive action and spark thought in our sustainability school section, wish lists, moodboards, musings, and tips and tricks that we have learnt along the way. They talk loads about personal style and slow fashion, but also sprinkle in content that discusses other aspects of sustainability.

    • 1 hr 4 min
    EPISODE 65 :: Damien Ajavon

    EPISODE 65 :: Damien Ajavon

    In episode 65 of the Close Knit podcast, I speak to Damien Ajavon. Based in Oslo, Damien Ajavon is a queer textile artist, born in France, of Senegalese and Togolese origin. Their work explores the different methods in which textiles fibres can be manipulated by hand: knotted, braided, tangled, and woven. The interaction between visual and tactile experiences has always played an important role in their process; they use their African and western influences as a vehicle for their textile storytelling and as visual markers of their creative approaches. It is through textile languages rather than oral ones that Ajavon has been unearthing and weaving connections with their ancestry.
    They have accumulated substantial experience internationally that honed their expertise and technique. They learnt to weave hemp, dye cashmere in Italy and work with feathers (Bevagna, Sant’Anatolia DI Narco, Florence), felting hats and making accessories in Quebec, pattern making and knitwear in New York City.
    Ajavon grounds their practice by positioning themselves in the world through their heritage. In doing so, they put into practice their mother’s teachings of African cultures and conjures artistic gestures in honor of intergenerational learning.

    This conversation felt just so special to me - at a time when I have felt particularly unmoored (after getting off of instagram), it was so heartening to connect with Damien over our mutual love of fiber. Their work is so beautiful - anchored in physical movement and a wonderful sense of curiosity about how fibers can be manipulated and transformed. I loved hearing their perspective on textile construction, design, and working with human-aided machinery.
    We discuss the ways the “craft” is often separated from “fine arts”, and how imperative we feel it is that that viewpoint is shifted. Damien blows my absolute mind when they tell me about their friend’s work with nuno felting, and we share our perspectives of reverence for every craftsperson out there.
    We wrap up by discussing Damien’s next steps - a residency in Berlin and a master’s program in Oslo, and we realize our mutual love of socks. We delight in discussing the opportunity Damien has to explore their textile language through their studies - to move beyond 2D technical construction into a realm of expressing their perspective and history through their work. Finally, we talk about the protection inherent in fiber work - both from the elements, and just the harshness of the world - we revel in the protection that textiles bring to those who make and wear them.

    • 1 hr 5 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
69 Ratings

69 Ratings

Genna Klein ,

Sweet, modern podcast about textile arts!

Love this podcast! Great to listen through the archives.

BGL17994 ,

A Gentle Balm that Inspires and Soothes

I’ve heard Ani (the host) describe herself as a “low risk person just running a podcast and working a day job” but what this podcast contributes to the landscape of textiles is so so so much more! Ani is a gentle guide through varied perspectives, bringing compassion and interest to each. She is a curious mediator prioritizing beginner listeners and experts alike.

We’ve never needed conversations like these more! They’re broad, gentle, motivated, baffling, inspiring, relaxing, and genuine.

I thank the Close Knit team for everything they contributing to the fiber arts community.

Cydners ,

Motivation!

Just found this podcast in a reference list for my MFA program. I could not be more excited! This is the inspiration and resource I need this year! So much to learn!

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