Podcast
Yarn Library
Hosted by Adam Cleevely · EN
Yarn Library is where the craft world comes to chat. Hosted by knitting influencer Adam Cleevely of CleevelyKnits
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
S3 E4 Aleks Byrd on Estonian Knitting, Heritage, and Teaching the World
Yesterday01:08:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Yarn Library, I’m joined by Aleks Byrd, a designer, teacher and author known for her work with traditional Estonian knitting techniques.Aleks taught me Estonian inlay a few years ago in New York, and I later used that technique on my heavy metal jumper, so this was a particularly lovely conversation to have.We talk about what it’s like to teach knitters all over the world, from adapting Estonian braids for Portuguese style knitters to preparing for a packed teaching tour in Australia. Aleks shares what changes from country to country, why some knitting cultures have such strong foundations, and why the best workshops are often about confidence as much as technique.We also talk about Aleks’s Estonian heritage, her move to Estonia, and the balance between preserving traditional craft and making it feel alive, modern and accessible. We discuss Estonian inlay, national costume, the importance of naming techniques properly, and what happens when heritage craft becomes part of contemporary design.Along the way, we talk about in person teaching, yarn festivals, books, lace overlays, and the joy of bringing historic techniques into modern knitting.A thoughtful conversation about identity, tradition, travel, teaching and the living future of craft.
Transcribe →S3 E3: Xandy Peters on Design, Rage Bait and Everything Else
2w ago01:05:33Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Yarn Library, I’m joined by the brilliant Xandy Peters for a properly thought-provoking conversation about knitting, creativity, originality, and what it really means to design something new.We talk about rage bait in the knitting world, why social media rewards negative hooks, and how that shapes the way craft is talked about online. Xandy also explains the magic of stacked stitches, the design thinking behind Fox Paws, and why mistakes in knitting are sometimes just discoveries in the wrong place.From there, we get into the bigger questions: is knitting design a meritocracy? Are patterns really the product? Why is it so hard to build trust as a designer now? And where is the line between art, design, craft and instructions?There’s also beige, digital overwhelm, Munich Knits, knitted nipple tassels, pattern publishing, originality, copying, stitch innovation, and Xandy’s new flower technique.A wide-ranging, funny and fascinating conversation with one of the most original thinkers in the knitting world.
Transcribe →S3 E2 Lisa Ha (GetToHookingCrochet) on being a crafty influencer
4w ago01:02:22Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Yarn Library, Adam is joined by Lisa Ha, better known as Get To Hooking Crochet: crochet royalty, author of Snarky Crochet, and one of the funniest voices in the online craft world.Adam and Lisa expose the truth behind their internet spats and talk about the world of crafting as an influencer. They discuss their entirely fake but surprisingly convincing knitting-versus-crochet rivalry, the infamous i-cord incident, going viral, dealing with comments, the pressure to have an opinion on everything, and how hard it really is to make money as a creator.Lisa also talks about learning crochet as a child, becoming funny online almost by accident, writing her first book, supporting other makers, and her ongoing mission to become impressive enough for her teenager via a YouTube Play Button.It is funny, sharp, occasionally inappropriate, and much warmer than either of them would probably like to admit.
Transcribe →S3 E1 Trailer / Introduction to Series 3
Jun 2200:10:14Tap to summarizeIn this short episode, Adam shares what’s next for the Yarn Library Podcast. He talks about Georgia stepping back to focus on her PhD, gives thanks for everything she brought to the podcast, and introduces Series 3: a new interview-led chapter featuring thoughtful, wide-ranging conversations from across the world of yarn, craft and creativity.
Transcribe →Public
Apr 1601:01:51Tap to summarizeAfter celebrating the Hungarian election results (with a little help from some Bilum yarns), we discuss shushing the shh…, (ft. a diversion into engineering disaster that is Georgia’s undergrad library), an errata on merino wool staple length, and finally – Knitting in Public. Prompted by a lovely email from a listener we explore the social dynamics, privilege, assumptions about gender and sexuality, concert knitting etiquette and why Georgia had to do a chicken dance this weekend somewhere very fancy.
Transcribe →Gifts
Apr 901:02:15Tap to summarizeA labour of love, a test of relationships, and occasionally a source of chaos. This week, Yarn Library dives into the joys and anxieties of gifts, from the thorny question of who is truly "knit worthy" to quantifying the real term numbers on just how many hours you're really gifting when you cast on a jumper. Adam shares a jaw-dropping story from his recent yarn travels and Georgia has a colour work revelation that's given her a new lease of life – and a growing list of gift projects she might actually finish.
Transcribe →Sustainability – Part 2
Apr 201:04:06Tap to summarizeAdam and Georgia continue their wide-ranging conversation on sustainability and craft. Georgia shares her years-long quest for the perfect "forever whisk" and a truly terrible housemate gift. They dive into the surprising environmental impact of small-scale ceramics versus mass production, debate the great superwash yarn controversy (chlorine, microplastics, and why Adam is firmly a fan), and unpack the dramatic story of Australia's 1990s wool stockpile crisis.
Transcribe →Sustainability – Part 1
Mar 2600:53:37Tap to summarizeJoin us in the Yarn Library as Georgia brings the notes and Adam brings his opinions (unsourced). This week dives headfirst into the spicy and polarising world of sustainability, complete with repurposed blocking mat cushions, UN reports and why working with uncertainty is sometimes all we can do. Part one of what is definitely going to be two parts... probably.
Transcribe →Travel
Mar 1900:47:24Tap to summarizeWherever you go in the world, there will always be craft! Which makes travel the perfect conversation starter. Your resident yarn librarians take you on a tour of various craftly escapades including love, loss and Lopi. All aboard!
Transcribe →Housekeeping
Mar 1200:58:23Tap to summarizeAfter many requests for longer visiting hours at the library, Adam and Georgia allow their weekly "housekeeping" to go off piste. Look forward to William Morris tears, retreat highs (and lows), and even what sealed the deal when Georgia met Dima on a dating app.
Transcribe →