5 Black Fiber Artists you should be following right now!

February is Black History Month - and while we try at String Theory to support black artists year-round, February is a great month to celebrate some of our favorite creative rock-stars of the fiber world! Here are some folks (& their instagram accounts - go follow them!) who we think are really smashing it:

Yarn Dyer: Sister Ananse (@_naimabondart_)

Its no secret that we love indie dyer favorite Naima Bond aka Sister Ananse! Naima's known for her killer themes, saturated and speckle colors, and her Instagram is full of pop culture inspiration. We are proud to carry Naima's yarn in our shop and online!

Designer/YouTuber: Akia/ Dr. Charlie Untangled (@drcharlieuntangled) (Youtube)

Akia is the woman behind Dr. Charlie Untangled @drcharlieuntangled. We've been following Akia ever since Emily made her BLM Bogolan Scarf pattern a couple years back! Definitely check out Akia's super engaging Youtube channel - she's hosting a #BHM Craftivism make-along and has picked out 20 knit and crochet patterns from super-talented black designers. It's not too late to cast on fo these great patterns on this month! Be sure to sign up for her email list for the MAL here.

Designer: Darci Does It (@darcidoesit)

We love Darci's Instagram account - She's a pattern designer (pictured is her Cuddle Puddle Wrap), but what made us click "follow" initially is her love for knitting top & sweater patterns - especially the awesome Sorrell Sweater (she's made several!). In the highlights of her Insta, Darci has a "Black Knitwear" collection of 28 different black designers for even more inspiration!  Darci was also written up in the NY Times and its definitely worth a read. 

Yarn Dyer: Neighborhood Fiber Company (@neighborhoodfiberco)

We love the concept behind Neighborhod Fiber Company, and are proud to be a long-time stockist for this indie Baltimore dyer. Karida is the amazing talent behind the brand, which names each of its colorways for a different Baltimore neighborhood. You can get to know Karida & Neighborhood Fiber Co in this fantastic Pom Pom magazine podcast from back in 2019 (it's still an incredible listen!). 

Author/Designer: Brandi Cheyenne Harper (@brandicheyenneharper)

We got to know Brandi Cheyenne Harper through her original patterns in Knitting for Radical Self-Care: A Modern Guide. Much like her patterns, her Insta account is a tasteful, minimalist break for the eyes. We love that her patterns are so accessible for beginners, but they are interesting enough for the more advanced knitter as well. Many of her patterns call for super-chunky yarn too, which means that the projects work up super fast!

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Now it's your turn - who should WE be following? Let us know in the comments so we can get to know and support more awesome black fiber folk!