Amble and Knit: 1: Needle Choices & Observing Our Knitting; Responsible Sustainable consumption; Q&A 

I am the 71year young knitter that chatted with you awhile ago. Now, I'm privileged to be listening to this new venture. I made a short comment yesterday, but it was so compelling I had to come back and share this fact and thought with you. I want you to think about what I'm going to tell you as an older Auntie (lol). Since the beginning of time it has been one person's voice that gathered thousands, fed them with fish and words that filled them with love and the willingness to learn. Generations later another voice emerged and tolerance for all gathered thousands until his country gained independence from an intolerant nation. The next generation was born and another voice came from the mist to once again say let my people go. Are you getting what I'm saying? I have seen so much history, so much pain, and yet happiness. You can't save the world, but your voice can come from the mist to be heard in truth. Use your voice because the truth of which you speak will also be heard even standing on top of your little envelopes. They also stood on not even an envelope to speak their truths that could not be denied. I have taught my own daughter to speak up and out regardless of popular opinion.. I'm very proud of her as I am of you. I know when I leave this world the world will go on, but small voices speaking the truths that cannot be denied will be heard. I hope this little note is not long nor boring for you, but maybe you will think of a message that I have left for you.

I watch a lot of knitting podcasts in the winter months as I knit--it is a kind of parallel play, if you will. This is the most soul nourishing channel I watch; it feels akin to spiritual practice. This new series in particular is sure to become a staple of my knitting practice since it brings true presence and community care into the equation. Most channels I watch make me want to go buy all the yarn and all the tools and all the knickknacks...and then I come here and I recenter on why I came to knitting, why I love it, in the first place. I don't have any notes--just keep doing and saying what your intuition tells you. I'm a polsci expat as well. I would like to explore the polisci to handcraft, slow living, rural community building pipeline. After I did my masters I realized that all the answers are local--human-to-human, human-to-planet, etc. Thank you for your gracious offerings.

Hello Daki. You said something most true: our world is trembling. I am grateful to you for sharing your peaceful heart and serene voice. I must admit to you that my knitting stayed beside me, untouched during your show. This was time that was a gift to myself--soft lighting, warm tea and listening to your uplifting words. You are creating a community that is inspired to be aware of our lives. One by one, we will be kinder and the world will tremble less. Bless you Daki. Hugs from Canada.

Oh my dear ! I'm so grateful for you to also be my online friend ! Thank you so much for recommending my channel. My heart is full 💕 I am definitely into this new content that you bring to us. We can go deeper into our craft and have some reflexion about it, which I love. Plus, we get to know more about you 🥰 Thank you for sharing !

Maybe the group of ladies who enjoy this podcast/forum will become your new "gang of Aunties". 🥰

This was such a breath of fresh air to listen to! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on subjects that are obviously close to your heart, it’s inspiring to hear someone appreciate and uplift the craft in a way that does not revolve around a constant need to consume products, yarns, etc. I am really looking forward to your next episode!

Thank you, I thoroughly enjoyed this podcast--the intimacy and honesty that you bring. It is refreshing to have a public voice for giving thought and care to our consumption and choices.

You are speaking to my soul. I have stopped watching so many you tube channels because they keep selling this & that, things that aren't needed. I am making my life simple, not taking more than I can give back to the earth.

Thank you so much for bringing consiousness in our knitting .. i really like this poscast ... its a next level ❤ ❤

Thank you for talking about the health of the soul and by extension the health of Gaia. I was working towards a PhD in environmental geochemistry before switching to medicine 40 years ago. Seeing the impact of climate change was sobering and it's only gotten worse. I made the conscious decision then to only have one child and not eat animal products. I share a car and live simply. I craft with thrifted materials and take my time enjoying the making in no rush to produce. This is the kind of influencer i would love to see amplified in social media.

Love the fact that you say jumper instead of sweater. You are only the second podcaster I've seen who holds the needle like I do. Love that you talk about the environment, I do everything I can to minimise my footprint, ride my bike,, grow food and think twice before I buy anything but it gets very disheartening when you see so much waste around you.

I very much enjoyed your recent podcast. I am a knitter in my late 60's and just this past year have discovered the RU-vid world. While I love listening & watching other knitters because I have few knitting friends in real life, I do find that watching these podcast has increased my "need" for new gadgets, yarns, knitting bags etc. I originally learned to knit in a school playground with 2 sharpened pencils & some string so I know that only simple tools are really needed to enjoy this craft. Your podcast I think will help temper the other voices that are tempting me to consume things I don't really need. Thank You!

Thanks so much for your podcast. I welcome looking at our practice with the intention of avoiding consumerism. I have a little podcast where I talk about my goal to make clothes from sustainable fibers that will decompose after they are no longer useful. Another focus is to keep a smaller wool pantry with only a small amount of yarn that can feed my creativity, rather than "stocking up" with more yarn than I can ever knit. These goals are a work in progress, but something I'm striving for and your words create a framework and inspiration for moving in that direction. To use what I have, support small farmers, and use yarns that are made of natural fibers. I'm 70, so I hope more of the younger podcasters will join you in making this more of a focus of their episodes.

Loving this new format and I really care about the topics you’re talking about. I’m a kindred spirit here in Portland, Oregon. Mama of 4 grown kids and a creative since I was little. I started knitting because I cloth diapered my babies and I wanted to make knitted, wool diaper covers for them. there was no way to buy these wool diaper covers, so I had to learn to knit. …I relate so much to what you’re talking about. I am a person who actually gets much pleasure from each and every stitch. I found it very interesting when you talked about how we follow the knitting culture to rush through and make as many projects as possible. I was never like that, until about 2 years ago when I started following all the knitters on IG and knitting podcasts. I love following knitters on Instagram. I love all the ideas and inspo I get from IG knitters. Recently I became aware that I had changed my mindset about knitting and I turned into more of a product-knitter rather than process-knitter. Now that I am aware of this, I’m going to try to go back to being a process knitter. Knitting is LIFE. Also, I care that sheep are treated kindly so I am working buying wool that comes from sheep that have not been mulesed. Why does the knitting community not talk about this more?? Well, I’m only halfway through your video, so I’ll probably be back to leave my comments about the second half. I really adore your energy and your gentle, beautiful spirit.

I am very excited about this new series! I love that you are putting yourself out here to tell us your true thoughts instead of trying to please the masses. It's one of the things that bothers me the most about social media and youtube and platforms like that - so many people think that the way they need to be to be "successful" is to never garner any criticism from anyone. I feel so bad for all the young women making the knitting podcasts who are constantly apologizing and being self-critical just to fend off any negative feedback. I always think of the quote, attributed to several different people so I'm not sure who actually said it first - "to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, be nothing." If you want to please all the people all the time, you end up becoming very one-dimensional and flattened. You end up saying nothing. All that is to say, even if I disagreed with what you said (which I don't) I'd rather hear it than not hear it. I'd rather hear lots of diverse voices all talking unapologetically in their own voices about what they truly care about than trying to hide their real thoughts in fear of offending someone. Of course part of it is very noble- wanting to please everyone and never hurt anyone. But it goes too far if it means you hide yourself from the world because you are afraid of how someone might take it. Even if you try to please everyone, someone will be critical of you. That's just the nature of people, and especially how they behave online. So you may as well be yourself. We need more real people. I guess another thing about it is that some people have made a career out of being followed, and their livelihood now depends on pleasing as many people as possible. As someone from an older generation than most of the social media influencers, it's very odd to see how "selling out" has become a goal. When I was a young person, it was the worst thing you could do. We wanted to stay true to ourselves and never be bought by "the man" (haha!) Well that was a lot of words about that! On the topic of knitting needles, I suppose I am lucky that I am a relatively new knitter so I don't really have preconceived ideas about what I like. I'm willing to try a lot of different things. I certainly prefer wooden needles for most things, I realized that right away. I also just like looking at them and touching them. Metal is so cold and clinky. And I'm not in a hurry. I only knit for my own pleasure and not to please anyone else, so I have no real need of speed. I try to enjoy all of the process. I love making swatches and considering various fabric attributes, which most online knitters seem to hate doing. I think they are in such a big hurry to finish something to share, they are missing out on the slow and relaxing pleasure of the craft. I look forward to your next video on any topic! Tell us all your spicy opinions please!

Love the message. I always feel grounded and a part of a larger community, both past and present, when I pick up my needles.

So thankful for your words❤ mindful an mindless…..paying attention to knitting. Observing my knitting. Thank you for bringing this to me. ❤

Dear Daki, it is a privilege to see and hear you speak.

My deepest thanks for bringing these issues to the forefront on "your stack of envelopes". I was a regenerative farmer for many years and constantly fought this battle in the public sphere where I could. You are absolutely right that tremendous growth is on the other side of discomfort if one chooses to traverse that path. Unforturnately, it is choosing us regardless of how we feel about it. Making choices that are healthy in the long run is something I try hard to model for my children and they by and large do make planet healthy choices. I have accused of being a "snob" in many respects because I choose local whole foods, fibres that are natural and compostable, purchase second hand where I can and shop local for as many goods when they are needed in our local community. I can live with that, but also understand that for others, these may be more difficult choices to make for a number of reasons. In my experience, the way forward is through the sharing of knowledge, coming alongside and encouragement. On the knitting front, I recently switched back to birch dpns from small circumference metal needles for sock knitting. What a difference and I didn't realize how much tension I was creating in my hands with the small needles. The wood just feels so much better and I can relate to the cold issue. I will still use my small metal needles to knit fingering weight socks but it is good to change it up for our bodies.

What a lovely episode. I love hearing your philosophy, very much in line with where I am at. Looking forward to the next episode

love the podcast recommendations, thank you. I had just subscribed to Yarn Chaos but the other two are new to me. I have been filtering through so many podcasts in order to find there ones that resonate. I watch them while knit for a couple of hours a day. I also really resonated with this Amble and Knit. I look forward to the next. Thank you. PS: I too grew up with my Dad in the Army on the opposite side of the border in Pakistan. I loved the mix of cultures and languages we experienced in Pakistan, pretty true for people in the army or not, but with packing up and moving every 2 years we experience it more often. And now in Canada, I have met so many more people from different parts of the world. I think we are very blessed and lucky people.

WONDERFUL, DAKI!! Love your emphasis on sustainability, reuse and especially our governorship and stewardship of our land and soil. It is so interesting to hear about your experiences with different needles and how they work with your knitting style. I use both and knit differently and will pay more attention to how it affects me. I am loving your intimate invitation to pay more attention, I agree that is important. Thanks for your time sans thoughtfulness.

I agree that we all need to practice more sustainable living. You express your view so aptly. I do try to move away from consumerism, which is difficult like you say when you are inundated with all the things you think you "need". I wish there was a clear cut solution to moving forward in a positive way. Thank you so much Ducky!

As always dear Daki, you come onto the screen like a breath of fresh air. I resonate with so much of what you are saying and I'm very grateful to have found your channel. Thank you so much. I agree with so much of what you are saying about the impact of commercialism on our world and the importance of resisting that current that we are swimming in. I fell very touched and almost emotional listening to your thoughts and pondering. Thank you so much and I urge you to keep this up

I so enjoyed this first, of hopefully many, episode of you sharing your deeper thoughts on things related to our knitting/crafting. I watched it yesterday but have really been processing much of what you said. Over time, particularly since covid and being in isolation much of the time, my time on social media increased and, along with that, came this desire to “have”. The pattern, the yarn, the fiber, the kit… whatever it was. Not so much tools or gadgets, but the desire for the object became the drive. The consumption of information on RU-vid also grew. These things have become more and more uncomfortable. My desire to be more intentional has grown. You articulated my feelings in such a beautiful way. After finishing your episode, I began the process of unfollowing and unsubscribing to things that were really clutter. Things that no longer speak to me. Honestly, it became a chore keeping up with all the channels and platforms. Thank you for putting these thoughts to words that brought about action. My soul feels lighter already. Have a blessed day.

Thank you and koti pranams for your remarks about yogic knitting. Everything you said about mindfulness and mindlessness was 100000% correct. Thank you! 🙏🕉

Thank you for this refreshing episode of knitting “content”.. I appreciate that the thing you offered here is not just FOs and WIPS, but the wisdom of your own lived experiences. I especially appreciated your perspective on the word “mindfulness”- so powerful and insightful. I hear you, and respectfully agree. Because words are so powerful, I wonder now if using the word “observance” would be better suited the practice you described and so many of us try to infuse our daily lives with (busy as they are!) Finally, I thought to say that your story of growing up among a very diverse group of “aunties” resonated so deeply with me. Through very different circumstances, I also found myself being raised and learning from such a surprising mix of aunties as well. For me, this was wonderful. I look forward to the next episode. Thank you Daki 🙏🏽

I very much appreciate hearing your views. Thank you for investing your time in making the wonderful videos.

I loved hearing your thoughts about sustainability and knitting tools. I only got into knitting a few months ago, and seeing these huge collections of tools I knew I wanted to be very intentional about growing my collection. I think that's why interchangeable needles are so appealing to me. I'd rather get one set that I can use and reuse endlessly than get a fixed set of needles that is perfect for this project but probably not the next one.

So much you said resonates with me. I am 80, starting to really knit, very concerned about the climate and even had two Icelandic horses. Wish we could talk in person…and the town my grandmother born in, Papa has an indigo dye history……so much I am thinking.

Music to my ears! As we have been told in the past, "An inconvenient truth"! Thank you for taking the risk. Steph UK

Aw thank you Daki - I love this new format - now I have two podcasts listienng to you while I knit! I agree with all you said - we need to be true to ourselves - never let anyway dull your sparkle! Thank you for your wise words - you always speak so eloquently and always in tune with my own thoughts xxx

Those who leaves are the ones that needed to hear what you have to say 😔 I´m all in. Use your platform and say what has to be said. 💗

Dear Daki, I’m a new viewer and subscriber to your channel. I’m grateful to have found you because all of what you’re voicing here resonates with me. You are source of reason and calm for me. Thank you.

Love the soap box - so important to be thoughtful and responsible.

Dear Daki, I'm so uncredibly happy to find your podcast and video's! That's so wonderful to see and hear about your work and thoughts, about your life and the world. In this environment, where even crafting is become sooo commercialized! I'm born and grown up in Latvia under the Russian occupation, we made everything with our hands, we learned whatever we decided to know because nothing was available and the boarders were closed. I didn't know that knitting patterns even exist until I moved away.. I'm still knitting socks and mittens with 5 needles, never understood the need of magic loop. Today I'm living in Belgium, I'm musician playing 14-17th century music (keyboard instruments), not really making a stage career because I don't believe in that. Stage didn't exist in ancient times, and music was part of the food of soul for people. I still offer it in the same way, as much as I can, as a healing to our busy minds. I do the same with textile, not my professional occupation although I studied a bit of weaving, and making all I can for me and my family, and to offer with love of doing that. So many thanks for sho you are and what you do! (I hope I'm not too familiar, that feels I'm writing to a friend while we don't really know each other..) Have a wonderful time, best greetings, Ilze Bertrand

Physical, offline community of knitting, yes! As physical and material as knitting is, actual meet ups really help and give fun! I have an online chat group in my language, but I try to meet up if I get a chance near me (within 1 hour of traveling!). Really helped me during covid and also with my knitting questions 😉

Thank you, Daki, for this wonderful new show! I agree wholeheartedly with your ideas about the misunderstanding in western popular culture of the concepts of simple awareness and observation. I also loved your comments about consumption, and the importance of using a platform like this wisely and responsibly. I look forward to more episodes of the show, as well as your podcast. Marilyn

Your sweater is as beautiful as you, enjoying this podcast and I gotta find Wool and The Forest to watch, I will probably be binge watching!!

Dear Daki, I recently discovered your show and I am amazed about your talents and skills, as well as your lovely communication ability. On the topic of needles, I adore my Lykke copper needles and also my bamboo needles. I find that the project and yarn makes a difference as to what type of needles I should use. I have lately felt that my elbow joints ache after knitting for long periods of time, so I have adopted a routine of stretching and doing Qigong first thing in the morning. It’s easy to want to jump in and get going with our knitting without being ‘mindful’ of our health. We need to take breaks and relax our eyes and muscles, tension can build up in our joints and this can put us out of commission if we aren’t careful. I am happy you are out there for us, I enjoy your conversations and knitting tips, the music and gorgeous composition of your photography, etc. All the best!

I am so happy to find your pod!!! I love how you articulate your thoughts on our creative emotions as we navigate through our this journey!!! I do feel very much at home here❤

I am getting to know you and your channel through this episode. I loved it and I see myself so much in what you say, especially on the awareness of what we buy for our hobby and on the responsibility of understanding what we really love and what we tend to buy just because we are influenced. I will continue to watch your videos, it's a privilege!

So excited for this format so far! 7:53 I honestly think that I would watch whatever creative video goodness you make but I am here for this 😁

I think you are right about consumerism. All that we do has an impact. I've always been quite poor and for me making a trip into town has always been for a reason, not just driving for a lark. We do need to think about our impact on the earth. When I told my dad I drove 26 miles to work, he was appalled. I asked how far he drove to work in his working days. It was 5 or 6 miles. But at least I worked only 3 days a week instead of 5. I worked at a large hospital and so, the longer commute.

Thank you so much for a very thought-provoking, friendly podcast! I would absolutely love more podcasts like this.

Thank you for putting your thoughts, feelings and time into sharing such powerful messages. I adore the discussion on observation, caring for our environment/planet, & conscientious living. I LOVE that you don't want to "toe the line"

I'm one of those that want to make multiple comments! 😅 Your discussion about soil struck me as so important. I just listened to the book "The Worst Hard Time" about the dust bowl that happened in the U.S. in the 1930s. The book made me physically and psychologically sick- from the brutal force to take land from the Native Americans, to the throw away attitude of the government of the land and soil, to the almost extermination of the bison, and the way human beings took advantage of fellow human beings! It was awful & so educational. Truth be told I often don't know where to start when there are problems that need fixed and the best I can do is take good care of what I have right now.

Thank you Daki, so so enjoyed this first episode. Very wise words indeed. I already love your regular podcasts, and look eagerly forward to the next amble and ramble 💜 I often feel quite uncomfortable about yarn in general, I love yarn and I love knitting, particularly in wool. I do worry though about yarn influencers on social media, the production of it and if the ‘grass roots’ people get a fair deal. Some yarn is exorbitantly priced and I don’t know if this is justifiable. I haven’t used much expensive yarn, but from reading feedback from people who have it’s not often what it is cracked up to be. I love using local yarns if I can and ones that have minimal processing and I am always so pleased with what I make and wear. I will often recycle jumpers into new projects, sometimes multiple times, and the yarn looks just as good as the first time I knit it. I would love to hear your thoughts about this, maybe in a future amble and knit?

So inspiring, so refreshing. Your podcasts are something I keep aside to watch when I need a visual hug. Thank you for your special content

Loved it! Loved it! Loved it! Thank you so much for the comfort in being you

Great show, very nice and relaxing and your voice is so calm.

Wow, finally someone addressing the over consumption in this community! Seriously how many project bags ,or stitch markers can you actually use? Or how many people can afford $40 a skein yarn? I fell in myself, but caught myself and opened my eyes. So easy to get pulled in…

Very much enjoyed your thoughts. I had a knitting hiatus for several years, but am back to it with a vengeance now. Despite the stressful nature of my life at present knitting has helped to soothe me and I am loving finding all the podcasts and the wider community of like-minded souls out there. I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts

Thank you. I enjoyed your discussion on mindful/mindless knitting and the encouragement to observe your knitting. Also a fan of knit State of mind.

Absolutely loved listening to this!

Thank you for this beautiful episode. And indeed, as you say, it was not all `nice` to hear. It did switch on my own thinking about some of things you say. A podcast that feeds the brain is just the best :). While watching your podcast I was knitting socks with magic loop. One sock on wooden needles, the other on metal ones (not on purpose, just because I didn't have any other needles free, it turned out this way). While hearing you speak, I realised all of a sudden the difference between the two... Of course I noticed the difference between wood and metal before on the knitting, but now I realised the impact on the body too... in my hands, arms, shoulders... How can I have not noticed that before?! Wow... I cannot wait to watch your next episodes!!

I have unsubscribed to many podcasters for the very reasons you express. I don't need to collect yarn for the sake of owning it or to gather gadgets that are pretty but no different from the ones I already have. Six decades of knitting have taught me many things about needles, too. Metal is faster but wood is much more comfortable for my elder hands. I have also recently abandoned the magic loop in favour of dpns. A trip to my local yarn shop today revealed to me that there was precious little in the way of what I call down to earth, rustic, minimally processed wool yarn. It's all I will use now. Call it crone wisdom? I do know I will continue to seek out that kind of yarn for myself. It doesn't surprise me that I wasn't chased away with your radical ideas! We seem to be of one mind about a lot of things.

Wonderful wonderful video…thank you. It’s so funny…I have just watched your podcast, while spinning and then, at the end I went to comment and completely forgot all I wanted to say! So when you encouraged us to pause and comment multiple times, I was delighted! 😂 Also, the whole thing about wooden needles…I, too, discovered I love wooden DPNs for socks…they are wonderful and my hands are less painful. I do think we have to be careful of repetitive/tension problems, as crafters. Two days ago I had to wind a skein of fingering handspun into my Niddy Noddy and my wrist began to hurt, but I ignored it to get the job done! Oh my, do I regret that now. I have had such a painful wrist, which has made even mundane tasks difficult. It is getting better but I feel that we all need to take care to listen to our bodies and have more awareness of our tools and the tension that we can experience. 4 years ago I knitted all day, gas we had builders in our house) and I injured my wrist/hand and when I had some chiropractic treatment, I was told it was from my posture whilst knitting - my neck and shoulders and had manifested in my hand.

Girl, I just love those silly puns of yours 🤣🤣 (Laughing at "preamble" now 😆)

I taught myself to knit a pair of socks for my Dad on used wooden DPNs, and like you, I use baskets to store my knitting/crocheting/craft projects. These are baskets that have been gifted to me over the years that had something in them originally. I also don't have a ball winder; I use the backs of my kitchen chairs. :) I haven't paid any attention to influencers etc.

thoughtful and inspiring, thank you for this new style of knitting podcast

I'm a bit late for this episode but anyway...! I agree so much with what you say about always wanting to show more and more of what we've made. Personally, I don't post all my FOs on IG because I wanna share something when I feel like it and not feel obligated to run to IG and post pictures as soon as I'm done with a project. To enjoy what we're doing is a very important part of a hobby because that's what it is: a hobby and not an obligation. I really liked this 1st episode. We watch so many knitting podcasts where we see a lot of WIPs, FOs and acquisitions but I really enjoy that kind of talk too. It's more relaxing and doesn't make me feel like I need to knit all the things ASAP. Also we do have to talk about those things. It's one thing to enjoy a hobby but I think we do have to reflect on its impact on our lives and more broadly on our world. It's good to hear about which points are important to other people regarding topics like that. It can open our eyes about some things we hadn't thought about before and make us more conscious. (I hope this makes sense. English isn't my main language and I'm trying to explain myself the best I can!) Oh and I will not be one of the lost followers. I think I'll love the new content!

Please tell us what you are reading next time. Thank you for your podcast! Love it!

I really, really love to ear what you have to say. It makes me stop knitting and think, and sometimes, what you say really goes deep in my thoughts.... and I realise that I am so ignorant and stupid. You don't make me feel ignorant and stupid. It's me...why don't I thought about it before? Thank you, i loved this, and please keep talking about Sri Lanka and your culture, and people and your experience around the world and how it all relates, and mixes....lots of love from Lisbon 😘☺️☺️☺️☺️

I think I "need" more of your thoughtful insight ☺️ I really enjoyed this new format.... Such a genuine amble...

I very much enjoyed this video. I agree with your point of view regarding consumerism and the land. I watched a documentary not too long ago called Kiss the Ground and have been trying to support farms that use regenerative agriculture as much as I can. I love to explore ways I can make a difference as an individual and put to practice what I am able to. Your experience growing up with your "gang of Aunties" sounds wonderful. I have made my desire known amongst my family and friends to have a community that helps each other in all things. I have always wanted to have a gang like that. Where kids and parents could gather at any time or come and go and anyone helped a child (theirs or not) with a need. And meals could be prepared together and enjoyed together without formal plans. Where we could be an extended family of our own creation. Sadly, I feel that most people think I'm crazy or that my idea is an unattainable dream. .....I am slowly creating a good community of neighbors that feel comfortable with our kids going around to each others houses often, and I take comfort in the progress that I have made.

I really appreciate your podcast and your sharing your views on different topics, which really resonate with my own thoughts about knitting, what it is and what it isn't, the more harmful ways of the influencing part of the knitting community etc. Personally, what I really am looking for in podcasts are these topics, but further than that: to really see the progress in people's thoughts regarding those things. There are many podcasts out there that have a teaching kind of voice and to an extent, I am drawn to them. But what really speaks to me is podcasts who dare to share their thought processes (while they are being processed) more than their thought products, the end result of their thinking. You really strike me as very intelligent, highly spiritual person and I am so very interested to also hear vulnerable aspects of your making. I don't know if I found the words to describe what I mean. Thank you so much for your contribution to the knitting community.

I really enjoy the approach of this podcast and the connections you make to health and sustainability. I especially liked your critique of consumerism. I will stick with you! Maybe the word you were looking for when you talked about the negative affect of influencers is "authority".

Megha sent me to you, and I love the convo. I am a new knitter, relearning after amost 40 yrs. I can crochet anything but knitting is a tension issue for me. I thought I liked the metal needles but I think I am going to try the wood after listening to your podcast here. Thank you for giving your honest opinions, I appreciate you!

With much knowledge comes the sense of much responsibility and, in this podcast, you are choosing to share both knowing that some individuals may not be ready for the message because of where they are in their journey. I have been preparing myself for exactly this for using RU-vid and other platforms to share my own experience and knowledge to educate people but I am not ready yet as I still need to learn a few skills.

I don’t know how I haven’t stumbled across you, so glad I have now. Absolutely loved this… so different and thoughtful. Looking forward to more 😊

I watched this a couple days ago and it was such an intelligent, thoughtful and insightful experience I've taken a few days to let my own thoughts settle around what you've discussed and presented. I really enjoyed the video and applaud your intent and purpose here, it's spoiled a lot of the other knitting podcast content here on RU-vid for me but only in a good way! I don't have any crafty friends with whom I can have these deep and meaningful discussions so I'm really looking forward to seeing more in this series.

Hello! I really enjoyed this new episode and feel like I have a lot to reflect upon, especially when it comes to being attentive to my craft and any other activities in which I’m engaging. I also agree that I have been feeling overwhelmed by consumer culture as it relates to podcasts and social media and that knitting, can/should be the opposite of this. Thank you for a thought provoking episode!

Oh,this was awesome! I so agree with your many opinions on influence, conscientious consumerism, and observations in our knitting life! This year, I have taken a long look and contemplation on all my yarns in my stash, tools, etc...and have decided to make it a year ( in my wooly life) to restrain from buying new "stuff" and rather use what I have! And I am blessed with a lot. Thank you for this new format! I really enjoyed listening and considering your thoughts. And so glad you listened to your hands and not your mind on trying wooden needles! It's so good to get outta the box and try something new. Glad this brought you relief and desire to knit again in comfort 😌 xo

What a wonderful way to start my day. Thank you!

Thank you so much for this video!! After watching so many 'what I made in 2023" videos, I was starting to feel a little insecure about my own capacity to quickly pump out knitwear (and to afford all that yarn!). I was really starting to lose sight of what brought me to the craft in the first place - slow making that stands proudly against consumerism and extractive production. I also really appreciate your advice to observe the act of knitting. As someone with chronic pain, I often use knitting as a way to 'escape' my body. Lately, I have tried to be more conscious of this and your video really helped me to articulate what I have been experiencing. (For anyone else out there w a similar experience - wearing compression gloves has really helped my joint pain and burgeoning carpal tunnel). Thank you so much again and I am looking forward to more amble & knit episodes!

Dearest Daki, I have recently discovered your podcast and have been smitten. Was so happy to see this new one pop up. I am a podcaster as well and know the work that goes into it and the pressure of being true to yourself. I feel you’ve nailed it. I plan to record again soon and will be sharing your account with my viewers. Hopefully they will pop over and subscribe 👍🏻. ❤ Joyce

Looking forward to more videos!

I hope you don’t mind me sharing this kernel of an idea I have beefing kicking around I’m tentatively calling’The Zen of Knitting’. What I’ve realized from my 65 years of knitting (I’m 70) is this: I spent years learning various techniques and skills and now consider myself an ‘expert’. I’ve done the requisite 10,000 hours of practice if that is what it takes. As I knit now, more and more I realize that the way to produce work that is most satisfying is to pay attention to the row you are on. Have the faith to believe that what you have knitted in the past is supporting and informing your practice. If you attend to the row you are on the finished product will be everything you wish it to be. It seems to me this is something to live by. Do your best to be well informed about what you are doing and then pay attention to how you are doing it in this moment. Jeannie Mills, The Knitting Crone

Very interesting to go beyond the WIPs and finished objects - enjoyable as that format is. From podcasts I have viewed recently, 2023 seems to be the year of destashing because cupboards full of yarn are unmanageable and stress inducing. I would be interested in your thoughts on this.

You’ve inspired me to add wooden tips to my chai goo sets

A very interesting and refreshing "knitting" podcast. Thank you for doing something different and talking about knitting on a deeper, more meaningful level. I also feel we should think more about everything we are consuming - from material goods, to food, to media, etc. There IS a ripple effect to it all!! I enjoyed your story about the needles and how not to become a slave to one type of material or brand. I am a believer of listening to your body although my practice of that is a work in progress (pun intended)!

I am grateful you are speaking your truth and sharing with your viewers. Brave.

Thank you for bringing forward these important, and sometimes uncomfortable, points. Discussion should never be shunned.

I really appreciate your information on our tools and paying attention to how the are making you feel physically. Also, lol, those metal dpns! I can't use them because they are always falling out. Couldn't understand how anyone could use them. I have the bamboo shorts and longs very inexpensive from Amazon, they work great. Got a set of each for my daughter too. Oh, and the tip about commenting, totally agree! I always try to remember, did it again😂, but love the idea of commenting under my comment. Really enjoyed the podcast and learning more about you. I hope you and your family have a wonderful week😊

I’m enthralled. It’s been so long since I’ve run into such an eloquent (even with your empowerment oops) young woman who shares many of the same thought processes as myself. It’s refreshing to hear echos of conversations I’ve had with my husband reflected in your rambles. I would love to hear your thoughts on super wash wool. Oh, and while you may lose some subscribers, know that this pilot episode has gained you at least one new subscriber. Perhaps those who are left and those who are drawn in will create that feeling you were hoping for. ❤

Episode #1. Amble Ramble Knit . How well your discussion and discourse of the craft has ignited a grounded yet elevated approach . Having full immersion culturally , I can so relate to your remark of how the west grabs hold of trending verbiage. When Kristnamurti and Yogananda came to the west the teachings were told then sold . As much in the west is based upon accumulation of materiality , the online communities quickly become fodder to appease the platform . What is the gain? These conversations are vital to our very existence and avoidant some may be. Thank you kindly for creating a new approach for this community . We, yes, we , you are correct! Gathering together to observe the process at hand. Very pleased to know your needles fit your body . And I knew you were a dancer as well! This is so nourishing on many levels and I have received all you have expressed.Many blessings for your home and deep gratitude for your space and time to carry these messages for us. Love, k from the sea

I really appreciate to hear your thoughts on mindfulness vs mindless. During the pandemic, I essentially begins to use knitting to distract myself from negative thoughts, and I am always knitting and doing something else at the same time. I think that now I need to pay more attention to what I do.

I completely agree with you on wanting to write a comment early on in the podcast and waiting until the end and then I completely forget what I was thinking. This is a great way to make sure you get the whole story while you are watching 😊.

I really enjoyed your chat and everything you said really resonated with me as a knitter. I am trying to use what I have, and just enjoy my knitting. I have stopped watching podcasts that are always encouraging us to buy this or that, or make me feel bad because I cannot knit everything! Thanks for your lovely podcast!

Glad I found your channel,

Hello Daki. What a beautiful spirit you have. Present, and calm but I think also quite.. mischievous. Can I guess that from a few little laughs I've seen. Thank you for sharing your art and your hands and your thoughts. I recommend Marina Skua podcast as well. An inspiring maker doing things a little differently.

Thank you so much for this pilot episode. I look forward to more!! I so appreciate the way you articulate your thoughts. :)

I loved this webcast, I found it a pleasure to hear things not usually talked about on a knitting show, please continue

I just found your channel and am very interested in your message. I've been influenced by others to buy certain yarn or needles or try different patterns. While this has been a learning experience, I've lost some of the joy i originally had. Im now beginning to pay attention to the process of my knitting. I look forward to more of this discussion.

I just subscribed here with this video, not only you bring up interesting and engaging topics on knitting, I find your voice calm and so lovely to listen to. I will also go back to your original podcasts but I welcome these opinions, eye opening and mind engaging thoughts 💭!

I am always so excited to see when you upload!

Great!!!!

Lovely thoughts

Compelling while inspiring dialogue, attentiveness, and change. An elegant and powerful delivery, the content crosses all boundaries and disciplines by starting with the very words we chose to use…This first episode is a gem! Thank you!