The Shocking Truth About Knitting & Crocheting, with Momma Gwen [HOT TAKES] 

Hey guys Toni's mom here. If you are watching like and share.

My hot take is we need more Momma Gwen! She's amazing and beautiful! I feel we can learn a lot from your mom! And dang... she's just knitting away without looking down! I struggle with knitting!

Toni’s mom has been knitting and crocheting for 48 years?? How is that possible when she doesn’t look like she has hit her 48th birthday! Momma Gwen, you look amazing!

One of my pet peeves is people who won't let you enjoy whatever your hobby is. We all value different things. Some people get their nails done regularly, get massages, buy makeup, perfumes, shops, bags, and travel, card collecting, etc but get irritated when people have a collection of yarn. We all have our vices. ❤

Omg… this needs to be a monthly series. I am loving mama on the program!!!

Your Mom doesn’t even look at her work as she’s knitting! That’s a real skill!❤

I'm about halfway through and I've already noticed a theme: be open, be tolerant, be curious. Sisters, we need more of that philosophy in Life, not just yarn arts. Keep on knitting and crocheting and giving out that sage advice ❤

Your Mama low-key knitting without even looking and she doesn't skip a beat. Respect! 😁😍

"At the end of the day, we all make things out of string." I LOVE it, yes! It's really all about the pleasure of creating things out of string.

Laughing as your Mom talks about how experience matters while she knits perfectly without looking! Lol… preach Mom!

"i don't want to learn. i just want to be right the first time!" this is so relatable omg 🤣

I love Toni's mom talking about people with different financial situations in fiber arts. I started when I was BROKE. Now I can afford amazing yarn and tools, but 0 shade to people using what they can afford (or honestly just like!)

I inherited ~1200 granny squares from a late relative. You bet I'm using them! The "hard part" is already done for me, i just get to join them together. To me, it is an honor to help finish her projects. I feel her with me when I work.

"Who told you that?" ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Well, that was the shortest 48 minutes I've spent in a while. I vote for doing this every Saturday!

As a baby crocheter I am so relieved to hear you say we need to have longer ends cause I have been sitting here with these three inch ends making it work but crying while doing so. 😂

Lace is MAGIC, but the magic doesn’t happen until it’s BLOCKED.!

My hottest take: just because you don't feel the need to have every knitting/crocheting "gadget" in your collection doesn't mean you should shame others for using them. They're no less skilled for using specific tools for niche tasks. In many cases, they're accessibility tools for people who need them, not just the novelty item you view it as.

I was told by a lot of people that I could never crochet well because of my seizures and mobility issues... But I am opening a business for crochet items. So glad I have a natural urge to prove specific people wrong.

The more people that knit and crochet, and any other fiber crafts, the more available the supplies become. I would love to see yarn at convenience stores and yarn vending machines everywhere!

“Wherever you are is where you are until you’re somewhere else.” I LOVE that! I’ve started telling myself “ You did the best that you could with the knowledge you had at the time.”

I’m allergic to lanolin. It literally makes my hands feel like they are on fire and I rash out. I can’t use wooly wools. I can use superwash. I can use blends. I LOVE acrylic because of my allergies and because of the affordability. If you want to use only natural fibers, I don’t diss you. Please don’t diss me for my use of acrylic yarns. I recently finished a sweater out of KnitPicks Brava Tweed. When I wore it to church I felt like a movie star because of the way friends oohed and aahed over it, I and was told it was so well knitted it looked “store bought.” Love you and your mama. Thanks for this fun podcast.

I'm so happy to meet mom. You two look so much alike❤

I am not sure you realize how wholesome this video is. It feels like I am right there sitting with you two as a third person. Momma Gwen is a gem. So loving, so lovely, and so lovable. More of you two please!

the amount of times my friends and fam said “yOu ShOuLd SeLl YoUr WoRk” yet they themselves have never offered to buy anything I’ve ever made. They just expect free things. Or get mad when I tell them I don’t feel comfortable make something larger than my size, because my body is the only one that I how to make clothes for. my hobby doesn’t need to be monetized. let me liveeeee!

Was a little late to the party but just wanna say momma gwen looks gorgeous and now I know where Toni gets her good looks from

I’m left handed and my Mom taught me how to crochet at 10 by sitting me in front of her. When your Mom said that I got so full. I’ve recently stated crocheting again after losing her. I’m thankful just hearing that from your Mom. Bless you both.

You 2 remind me of my mum and I regarding knitting and crochet. I recently moved in with 80 yr old mum and she's the knitting expert while I'm the crochet expert. It's hilarious watching us both persevere with each other's craft and laughing at each other's clumsiness because we both know how good we are in our own lane. One day we're going to be experts with both knitting and crochet.

Your mom and I learned BEFORE the internet. THAT is a huge accomplishment. We had to learn all on our own!

We need more Toni and Momma Gwen videos! The two of you together are precious and it’s like I’m sitting here crocheting and chatting with some friends. Despite all the hot takes here, this video is so calming and relaxing

I loom knit and the amount of people in the knitting community who tell me it is cheating or I'm not really knitting is crazy! I was telling my husband using the loom is like each peg being its own needle. Instead of all stitches on 1 needle I have multiple needles with 1 stitch each (sometimes 2 or 3 per peg depending on pattern.) When my projects come off the loom most people cannot tell I used a loom and not needles.

I'm honestly so glad y'all advocate for acrylic yarn. I work at Michaels and just started crochet, and got all of my starting yarn on the cheap-cheap (free or clearanced) just from our toss-outs (destroyed packaging, no packaging, unraveled, somehow taped??? and put back on the shelf so no one would buy it) and all of it is acrylic. We don't sell much yarn that isn't 100% acrylic (our store is really small and has a small selection, people go to Joann or *shudders* H*bby L*bby if we don't have what they need). So not only is it all I can afford on a Michaels wage (and discount lol) it's almost all that's available in my small town unless you go out of your way to buy online.

the hot take about buying yarn, reminded me... I am a member of SABLE... Stash Acquired Beyond Life Expectancy...!

What’s so funny with people that make sharp statements of, ‘Stop buying yarn until you’ve used what you have’ obviously may not be a fiber artist (crocheting/knitting/spinning). With yarns being discontinued constantly is a fiber artist’s nightmare! I can only speak for me so I love sales on yarn 🧶 and yes I’ll stock up like nobody’s business and will continue to do so. If you’re not paying that person’s bills, you shouldn’t be that concerned about how much they spend on yarn.

I absolutely agree that weaving ends isn't the same as crocheting over them. That said, if I can tie a secure knot and crochet over them I ABSOLUTELY will 🤣

Having a stash & buying yarn and actually using the yarn stash are two different hobbies. This is a hill I shall die on! Also, love love love the collab with Momma Gwen!!

Momma Gwen's face when you read "stop buying yarn" was priceless. You keep on buyin' yarn, Momma!

🧶This is something I saw the other day that this group would like to hear The other day I was picking up my teens and a girl/student walked down the sidewalk in a stars and moon granny square jumper!!!! She also had a crocheted hair tie with matching stars hanging from her hair ❣ It was so amazing to see! My son says the girls at his school talk about crochet all the time ☺It made me sooo happy that teenagers are so into it 🥳👏for the next generation!!

As someone on low income / disability I just can't afford the price of hand dyed yarns for everything I make. I'm always searching for the best quality / feel acrylic I can get. Loved this video, I agree with a lot of what you & your mom had to say.

With today’s lifestyle as hectic as it is, as terrible as the pandemic was, a lot of good came from it. People took time to learn new hobbies and families got to spend much more time together getting back to the basics, as simple as cooking together and eating together. I am so grateful for the time people got to stop, breathe and try things they never had time for.🦋

I just finished a tank top with the most beautiful lace on the chest the repetitions was so calming to knit . Lace can never be overrated

In regards to the "wrong way" comment, what i teach on my channel is this "if your stitch looks like how it is supposed to look, who cares what road you took to get there". And also reiterate many times that crochet, tunisian and regular, are supposed to be relaxing and if you are stressing then step away. Those who say its wrong are, well wrong.

I just want to thank you so much! I really enjoyed hearing all the input from BOTH of you!!! If it's ok with you, I would like to share something here that can be deleted if you would prefer. Regarding pricing items for sale. There were some 'Artisans' angrily telling other people in a group I was in, that they were pricing their pieces way too low. They said they needed to value their work more, and have a better appreciation of the art. They said because customers see such low prices...it makes people such as themselves have a more difficult time selling their own items. Someone stated that they crocheted because they enjoyed it, not because it was their 'business' per se'. Some said they sold items either online, at fairs, festivals, or whatever - simply to make some cash to cover their yarn expenses. Others stated in their area, they would never be able to sell anything if they didn't price the way they did. Things got very hot, and I finally spoke up. I think it's fine to disagree, but I don't feel it's ever appropriate to be rude. People have a right to price things how they desire, and I respect that right. I mentioned I could only imagine what they thought about me. 😉 When asked 'Why?', I explained: I have donated every item I've made, with the exception of 1 baby blanket for a family member. I learned how to crochet when I had to retire early at age 55 from my career as a hospital OB/NICU RN, and I was suddenly put on permanent disability. I missed my work SO MUCH....and needed to feel challenged and productive again. My mom gave me her stash, and I learned. Before I knew it, I had 2 huge piles of primarily blankets, lapghans, and hats for local hospitals, hospices, and missions. My mom was in her mid 80's, and many residents in her Independent Living complex then donated all their stashes to me. I would take a couple of photos and show each woman what project was made with THEIR yarn and where it was being donated. It was a win-win-win situation. A really warm and fuzzy circle of love, thanks to these women! 💕 I wouldn't have been able to create things without their yarn donations. They felt joy that they could contribute not just to me, but to the recipients! Lastly, was when I could see the smiles on the recipients faces . I had my sense of purpose back! 👍 I only shared that story with these 'Artisans' because they were being SO disrespectful to these other artists - and frankly....I had enough of their high and mighty better than Thou attitudes. Of course they proceeded to educate me with how I was also devaluing the art. If you were to ask me who was 'devaluing' our art/craft.....it was these cold hearted 'Artisans' . I wasn't asked... but I proceeded to tell them so. Yep, I did it, I really really did it! 😳 🤭 I did not take the high road...sorry, mom! I didn't get kicked out; but, I withdrew from the group as I didn't need to be surrounded with such negativity. If anyone has made it this far - sorry it was so long. Maybe someone might find it 'food for thought'. We all deserve to be supported in our community, even those just trying to make some cash to cover their yarn expenses! 👍 ❤

The pride in your mom’s eyes when you talk 🥹💕 the knitting gene skipped over my mom and my grandma didn’t have any interest in teaching me, so this makes my heart feel so happy. Thank you and your mom for sharing your incredible wealth of knowledge with us!

Technical writer here (in tech). Love the section about the technicality of writing patterns-100% agree!!!!! Also looooooove the inclusivity you PREACH. 💜

Momma Gwen is the BEST! If someone tells me they don't like the look of crochet, i tell them they don't have the right pattern. I always thought of bistitchual as a parallel to bilingual.

Just discovered your channel. Thank you. "Every single one of us is an ambassador for this craft." Love that! Best wishes for spring.

OMG! The tip to keep your tails long if you're going to crochet over them...that needs to be explained in EVERY pattern and video! So many 3in tails just frolicking all outside my garments.

my own hot take is ABOUT hot takes. when people do this and call for people's hot takes/unpopular opinions, a lot of people who enter submissions seem very focused on two things: skill level and policing others. both imo are totally unnecessary. first of all, we're all at different skill levels, regardless of how long you've been working or what kind of thing you make. there's definitely something to be said about curating a vast and deliberate skillset, and developing an in-depth understanding of the anatomy and physics of knitting, but it also isn't essential to being a "good" knitter/crocheter... and y'know what else? being "good" isn't essential to being a knitter/crocheter! we're all here to do different things, and some of us are just here to relax and pass the time. it's not a competition. nobody is going to give you an award for knowing the most complex techniques or the most extensive skillset aside from YOU. what you get out of having those abilities is the amazing things YOU can make, and for some people, teach others to make. it's not about flexing who's the best. there is no best. it's just not relevant or helpful to think of our abilities in regards to craft on a sliding scale like that, especially when for most of us it's just a hobby. secondly, all of the gatekeeping and "you can't do this" "stop doing this" etc is in the same boat-- just inconsiderate and unnecessary. we all have different needs, limitations, likes, wants, and preferences, and nobody is in the place to tell anybody else what they're not allowed to do to make themselves happy. none of us owe it to anyone to partake in our hobby or our passion in a way THEY want and approve of. i don't know about y'all, but i knit to make ME happy. nothing more and nothing less. people trying to arbitrate or "humble" other crafters in these submissions always makes me so sad. it feels like for some people it's less about sharing a controversial opinion to spark an important discussion, and more about gatekeeping or putting others down. it's so counterproductive and i really appreciate both of your professional attitudes in addressing the narrative that there is any right or wrong way to enjoy your own hobby.

Hi Toni! I was listening to another podcast and the maker, said she felt guilty buying more yarn because she had a stash. Another maker told her she needs to replace the word stash with collection. I love the word collection. We should be able to spend our money on what we love without recrimination or judgement from others. I try to support small businesses, so to disparage folks about their collections will impact sales for folks like you, Toni. Too many important issues in the world to be worrying about another person’s yarn purchasing habits. Love the episode and your Mom’s feedback . Take care❤

To be able to knit without looking like Mama does = goals❤️

I wanted to just thank you so much for this. My main takeaways: be kind, be inviting, be supportive, be gracious, and help others. It’s amazing how we can crochet, knit and weave so many amazing people together with our crafts! I hope that everyone gets a chance to watch this! Blessings! With love from snowy Reno NV - Elizabeth (Elisabettawill on Ravelry, yes, THAT one 😂).

I am an Italian girl who recently discovered your channel and thanks to you I have started to become passionate about Tunisian crochet. I always thought your smile was contagious, real and spontaneous. Seeing you in this video with your mom smiling together is truly a spark of contagious joy. As many others before me have commented it would be really nice to see Gwen return in more of your videos ♥

Center pull is superior... when i get it to work! Because about 80percent of the time I end up with severe yarn barf that takes about an hour to detangle into something useful. Risk/Reward. Also, FABRIC GLUE! Toni's mom just gave me the best loose end hack, I am so relieved! I'm relatively new and I find myself avoiding changing colors just because I am worried about ends coming out. Thanks Mama!

After I matured and left home, eventually I found a renewed interest in knitting, and I tried to step up my knitting game FOR YEARS using those books with all the crazy drawing with arrows and descriptions. I could never figure out how to do these more complicated stitches, and gave up (this was in the early 90s), so I gave up for some years. It wasn't until I found Ravelry and youtube that my knitting blew up, and became obsessed, and then very proficient. I taught myself crochet, too, via youtube. I wouldn't knock it; not everyone has a yarnie community, or the time to sit at a yarn store with the ladies. Video tutorials are priceless! They're there at 3am, you can pause, playback, chat in the comments and get advice/feedback and other useful information. Case in point, I wouldn't have learned about Tunisian crochet if it wasn't for this channel. Not that I've ever done it, but I've love watching so many of the videos here. The thing is, yarn crafts are actions - it's really hard to learn how to make movements and motions through written patterns, and so many of the old patterns assume a whole lot! If you don't already know, you need a translator! Oh, and Brooklyn's in da house!!

I am similar to your Mama, i have been crocheting for about 60 yrs now, late knitter, about 40 yrs now, lol, i was self taught for both for sure, but love to watch others , patterns and so on, sometimes i use them , sometimes i adjust them, etc. So no matter how long you have done this, you can still learn and refine !

On the bad attitude turning people off from the craft: I have a friend who's left-handed and her mom (also left-handed) tried to show her how to crochet but gave up within the hour because my friend didn't get it right away, so my friend had given up by the time I told her I crochet and could teach her the basics if she wanted to learn. She spent weeks telling me she was hopeless at it, but when we finally sat down to make chains and rows of single and double crochets together, she managed to do it after some practice even if I'm right-handed and it was a little harder to show her! Now, a few months later, she's making shawls and baby blankets and slippers ❤ Everyone who wants to learn deserves to.

What an awesome point about people buying mugs when they travel…it does equate to buying yummy yarn that you can use and remember that experience

I'm so glad you brought this stuff up! Your mom is right about experience. The elderly are shunned so much on this platform especially. I bet she can probably teach many so-called experts quite a bit! And I get you about the ones who try to tell you how and what to do like a boss. Speaking of lace, I can not do anything with tiny yarn. At 70,I just can't see well enough to crochet or knit with it. If your Mom has any hints I gladly welcome them! My grandma was blind in one eye and she crocheted with nothing but that crochet thread and I wish I could talk to her now! I have gained the utmost respect for her in my older age. Thank you!

I’m always amazed by people who can knit/crochet without even looking. It’s like a superpower!

I just came across this and LOVED it. I've been knitting and crocheting for 50 years, and like Mama, I learned from books and patters without the help of videos or Ravelry. I thought I was a genius the day I realized I could use circular needles for flat work. I was so proud the first time I made a blanket in a leaf pattern instead of granny squares. I have used Kmarts cheapest and a tiny skein of $300 Vicuna. There's no room for snobbery in fiber arts. To me, it's about the love of the craft and the creative process. Thank you, ladies, for such a fun and honest posting. ❤❤❤❤♥️

Loved Loved LOVED this episode! Toni and Gwen - not only are you ambassadors, you are the gold standard of what this community should strive to be. This community should be a safe learning space filled with love and acceptance. The skills we have are a gift to share and celebrate. Yarn snobbery has been around for a long time. I encountered it over 20 years ago when I stepped into my first yarn shop. The owner was miserable and worked hard to make me feel small. She wouldn't sell me a pattern without buying yarn. If I hadn't considered the source and let her make me feel small, I would have never learned the craft that is getting me through the toughest years of my life so far. Yarn store owners can be a barrier to entry when they should be welcoming ambassadors. Hot Take: New knitters are not interested in learning foundational skills and would rather be automatic designers. This happened in the culinary industry 20 years ago. We need to learn from those who are more experienced before that knowledge is lost. Thank you so much for giving me a place to call home ❤

Actually, as a bisexual person who knits, crochets, and loves puns, I have never felt more represented than when I found all those pins and stickers on Etsy. I'm also not offended if a hetero crafter uses it. To me, that's just a sign of acceptance. I'm more offended by the people who actually get offended by the swag. The message should always be acceptance, whether that's crafting ability, sexuality, gender, spiritual practices, or quirky humor. We all need to live our own best lives without judgment on either side.

Responding to the stash comments: in the 2 years before i retired I purposely built up my stash (hoard) with projects, kits, and sale yarn so that i could figure out my actual post retirement budget. I knit and crochet, my oldest son crochets, my middle son is learning crochet, my youngest son knits and has started weaving. We trade colors all the time. My stash is a blessing. How sad is that individual who has no one to share with. ❤

I just found this video… Hey Momma, shout out from another Brooklyn baby! I’ve been knitting, crocheting and tatting for over 40 years. Yes, I was born with yarn in my hands! I learned to crochet by silently watching my Mom and then secretly taking a tiny ball of her scrap and working it on one of my pencils… my mom found my piece of straggly crochet hidden under my pillow. She looked at me and asked if I did it. I was scared bcz I wasn’t given the yarn. I said yes, and she walked out and then back in the room with another small ball and my first hook! I loved this video!

Mama Gwen has the voice of an angel and the two of you have gorgeous matching smiles. This was awesome. More of the two of you PLEASE!

I'm a hand spinner and I love to create rustic lanolin rich locally sourced yarns. I also spin pet fur into yarn. That said, I am not afraid to charge a fair price for the hours of time, years of building my skills and thousands of dollars worth of equipment needed to produce a beautiful yarn. It may seem expensive but I've never known anyone who regrets spending the money to have their pets fur turned into one of a kind yarn. Thank you ladies. New follower here❤.

Mama Quinn is amazing that she could knit without looking at her hands counting anything seeing if she’s making an error that’s amazing. I love her. She’s just as sweet as you are. I know where you get it from. It’s wonderful to see your mama and daughter relationship as good as yours.

Thank you Toni and Gwen. I have been crocheting for 40 or 50 years, I didn’t crochet all the time, I have learned a lot from Toni, I just made granny square blankets all the time and now I’m venturing out with new stitches. I have made scarves with different yarn and my husband likes everything that I make and wants to keep it, if I don’t think it’s ok he does and encourages me, that makes me to keep crocheting. Thank you for sharing.

Imma need this as a series (please) ....Can y'all make that happen, please? The synergy of you both is inspiring and kept my attention.

The reason crochet isn't seen much in ready-to-wear is because crochet can't be done by machine, and knitting can. If you see crochet in fast fashion, it was done by sweatshop labor. And for the record, I find crochet much easier than knitting, possibly because i learned it first, at the age of seven and learned to knit almost a year later. I learned them from my grandmothers, crochet from my paternal grandmother--who did not knit because she found it too difficult--and knitting from my maternal grandmother, who did both.

I like to use natural fiber yarn for anything I'm going to be laundering because micro plastics in the watershed is a particular pet peeve for me but I also don't judge others for their yarn choices, lol

I give kudos to anyone who found crochet and knitting during the pandemic! It showed their tenacity in wanting the world to shine as the beautiful community it can be! Staying positive helped folks process what was happening, and if it made them aware of a hidden talent they possess, that’s amazing! You are never too old or too young to find a new passion! 🥰

Let's just all get along. One thing we are all different, with different ideas, which is what makes crocheting and knitting so interesting.

I find lace so beautiful; the fact that I've made lace garments, in mohair no less, blows my mind, and it's worth every minute.

Momma Gwen learnt it all WITHOUT RU-vid. All the kudos because I only learnt with RU-vid on call and being able to Google my current dilemma. Experience counts for everything ❤

Your mom is a gem 💎 ❤❤❤ what an enjoyable time I had with you two!!!

My thing is I just started crocheting right before Christmas because I was having surgery the 2nd of January and wanted something to do while recovering. I've noticed that it also helps with my anxiety, but yarn is so expensive. I would love to be able to buy some of the different yarn, but when you are on a fixed income the acrylic yarn is the main yarn that is at a price that some people can only afford. Also I think it is wonderful if people have the money to have a yarn stash. My birthday was yesterday and I asked for gift cards so that I can go buy a little extra yarn and have more than only enough for one project. I see new videos and I'm like I wish I had some extra yarn so I could have another project because some projects take awhile and you need a little change up. Loved your mom she needs to come on your videos more. You both are wonderful women and are great teachers. Have a blessed New Year.

Ladies this should be a monthly chat. I really enjoyed this chat session.❤❤👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Ladies! I have over "Ahem" in Yarn, now that I closed my YARN SHOP!!!!!! I am now So Attached to my "Stash", because the way that I was Inspired to purchase it, and the whole Inspiration to bring people TOGETHER in the Pandemic, that I now have to find Projects for All of these Beautiful Friends of mine!!! So Cables and Lace are on the Place List! 🤣🤣🤣

The way she was knitting without even having a glance? You know shes the REAL master. Loved this video, and I'd also love to see this as a series! Keep it up!

Really loved this episode. The two of you are golden together! I love your practical, inclusive, and kind take on yarn crafts. I'm 72 years old, learned to crochet doilies at age 7, and didn't really get the hang of knitting until I was almost 60. Each of us has a unique path. There's no single way to learn or grow your skills. Bless the two of you for reminding us.

I love your Mom and the dynamic between the two of you. Look at her knitting without looking! I can only hope to be able to do that at some point in my life. :) I would love to see another one of these hot takes with the two of you!

Just started the video here, but wow, your mom!? I thought she was a friend, she looks so much younger and is so beautiful!!!! And after seeing the whole thing, I can see where you get your grace and classiness from. :)

I learned to knit from my grandma as a child. She was a great teacher and the basics stuck with me. She's still one of the best knitters out there to me, and she's 91 one :D At about the same age, 8 or 9, she taught me a bit of crocheting. She wasn't into it a lot, so I learned how to chain and I think double crochets to make little crochet flowers. Never went beyond that because the crocheter in my family was my aunt who went too fast, had no patience, and decided to teach me the Romanian cord. Because... Romania and that cord was the staple of a lot of crochet projects. I of course decided I sucked at it. I kept knitting on and off but only learned fancier stuff later in life. I learned it all on RU-vid so all my knowledge is in English. I re-picked up crochet about a year ago because YT tutorials made it seem approachable. And then I never stopped. I even did a few craft markets. Did I try the Romanian cord? You bet. Did I fail? Kind of :D I think I'm still caught in that weird mindset of "I can't do this". That or I remember how it looked with that super thin cotton yarn she used and with those tiny hooks that I would only use to torture myself. I love all the modern and super accessible learning that youtube, blogs, and other platforms have brought to us all, but at the same time I am super thankful I got to learn the traditional way. And by traditional, I really mean that, as in spindle and fresh, colorless wool during long, cold winter breaks. I can still remember perfectly how my grandma used to sit on the floor, and how soothing the sound of her spindle twirling on the wood was.

Watching you both makes me miss my mom so much. Thank you for sharing your beautiful relationship with all of us.

13:11 as a queer person who knits and crochets (and is currently also learning tunisian crochet and nalbinding), I love the term bistitchual, and it never felt to me like someone was laughing at queer people by saying it (in deciding whether I would use that term to describe myself, I remembered a sexuality joke a fellow queer person told me once and decided I am try-stitchual --- I'll try any craft once 😅)

I love yalls relationship so much you guys should do this more often

You stole your mom’s whole face. 😂❤😊 *Edit:* I’m back a month later with a month more experience (just finished a cute cardigan for my 6yo daughter 🥰) and my hot take on weaving vs. crocheting the ends is… I like to do both! It mainly depends on where the end is located. If I’ve run out of yarn and need to switch skeins mid-row, I crochet over the ends so it looks seamless and you can’t see where the new skein begins. When it comes to finishing the project, I like to weave in those ends. I’ve found this way works well for me. I like what you ladies said about being open-minded about this all, because I’m learning quickly that I don’t need to stress if I do things a little differently than my preferred fiber artists. I’m 35, so I don’t have the time nor the patience for gatekeepings or elitist behavior. 😂 Life is too short and these skeins aren’t going to crochet / knit themselves.

My Grandad taught me to knit when I was 9 years old and only started crocheting a blanket last year ....never say never !!! ( only 51 years). I wasnt anti crochet I just didnt know how to do it and I wanted to challenge myself .....isn't it wonderful that there are so many styles, technics and yarns - something for everyone ❤

mama Gwen is so wholesome, understanding, and progressive

I’m relatively new to your channel. I found you on a RU-vid feed and saw your Tunisian crochet 😮. Let me start by saying, I crochet and started that craft when I was pregnant with my son… that was 32 years ago. For you young ones, it was before the internet, RU-vid and Social Media. I bought a book and taught myself. With life and being a busy mom, I put it down for many years. Back in 2009 I wanted a good quality quilt for my bed and I searched for 3 years until I finally said enough, I’m going to have to learn how to do this myself, which I did and I was smitten with the craft. I’ve recently pulled out my yarn and hooks again when traveling back and forth to my parents house and helping out with their health issues. Crochet is very portable and just what I need right now to help me find peace and strength if these difficult times and knowing end of life is coming for my parents 😢. It allows me to be calm, focus and quiet my mind. Folks can have more than one hobby, each serving a purpose. As long as you enjoy it and the journey, than go for it! I don’t need to mention stash, being a quilter and a crocheter I have stash in fabric and yarn 😂. But, I have it at the ready when I want to work on something. 😅 that was a lot… just do you, as long as it makes you happy. Toni, thank you for putting out awesome instructional videos, you’ve inspired me to pick up my hooks again and I’m currently working on making a summer top. 😊

I'm late to the party, but I was one of those people that would avoid projects that had a lot of end weaving. But then I learned two things - yes, I leave a long tail and weave it in after the fact and I'm also someone that weaves up, down, back and forth. But the one thing that liberated me is I don't use a hook to weave. Recently I found someone that said to use a tapestry needle to weave the ends and it makes it sooooo much quicker and easier. That and the weaving as you go rather than waiting until the end has made my projects so much less stressful. I have literally left a completed work "undone" because I didn't want to weave ends!

As mom was getting her Zen about buying yarn, chile, I was too. What! buy all the yarn you want! You can NEVER have too much yarn! PERIODT! lol

I knit and crochet. My mom and my Aunt taught me to crochet when I was young. As such, I hold my yarn in my left hand; the person who taught me to knit was worried I would find it difficult because she was a lefty. When she saw that I held my yarn in my left hand, she was excited to show me, as she didn't have to figure out how I should hold my yarn. "The only thing holding you back from learning something is you." I remember hearing that a lot from many different places. It's true, but it also helps to have a patient and creative teacher. You ladies are wonderful, and I love watching your mom knit without looking. It's like a mystical art that I haven't yet figured out

I love how accepting and welcoming you are. Thanks for making the world a better place

This is some wisdom 👏 I LOVE my lace, super intricate laceweight nonsense that takes so long it makes me reconsider allllll my life choices... but there are so many GORGEOUS items made in bulky acrylic! There's no need to hate on each other, we're all just trying to fit all the crafting we want to do into our lifespans 😂

You two are so cute. I am an 80 y o women who just started back to crochet last year because the dr told me I needed to use my hands because they are so arthritic. We don’t have a place locally to gather so I gather at Toni’s vlog. Mama can’t deny her because you two look like twins. Keep up all you do.

I was born in Brooklyn too. Love you guys. So refreshing. Tired of the haters that have infiltrated the craft. And agree 100% there’s room for both knit and crochet to coexist and be appreciated. Love them both💗

I'm finding that the yarn I need for my projects, like queen size blankets, is more expensive than just buying a blanket. Of course, I love the crochet and make beautiful gifts for friends, so that's priceless.

First 10 minutes so far and I think your Mom has looked down twice. So she doesn’t look at her knitting and she can talk at the same time! She’s amazing!