#queer knitting

forgot to share this aaaa, my top scar vest (V1 ? maybe). this was one of those project ideas that inspired me to learn to knit. i wanted a way to have my tits out without having my tits out ig. i’m so proud of my scars and they are such a good visual metaphor for my journey and identity.

this was done in duplicate stitch on some cheap dk acrylic, but i’d really like to make one in a fingering yarn (and maybe intarsia) instead, and add stuff to the back panel.

Lately, I've been having really strong Gender Feelings. My presentation is currently in the vaguely feminine range, but in the not-quite way that fat folks who don't put in a Ton Of Effort get lumped into. For formal or otherwise dressed up settings, I'm fine with that - I like wearing pretty dresses and that kind of thing. That sweater I test knit earlier this year is a great example - it's a little bit dressy, and is feminine in the way that I like.

The problem is in casual settings. I look very Default Cishet Fat Lady in casual clothes and I don't like it. I'm an agender ace lesbian. I want to look more clocky. I want other queer folks to look at me and Know I'm one of them. I want cishet folks to look at me and Know I'm not like them.

If I'm wearing a T-shirt, I can just chuck a flannel or other unbuttoned button-down over it and bam, clocky. Easy. The harder part is in the things I knit. I don't know how to pick knit patterns that look casual without also looking femme-y on me. I've got a very curvy figure, with exceptionally large hips, and I feel like with knitwear, this actively works against me.

(and I'm actually really happy with the fit on this one too, so here's my stony mug)

This is the Paintbox Hoodie knitting pattern published by KnitPicks [though I found the pattern as-published to be very poorly edited, and as such I had to rewrite much of the pattern myself]. Yarn is KnitPicks Brava Sport in the colors suggested by the pattern, though I switched black yarn in place of the white yarn they used, because black fucks harder.

This is the first project I've ever spent timing myself on, as people always ask me how long it takes me to knit things. I can confidently say this hoodie took me 101.25 hours of work in total!

The hats come in three types:

There are your standard enthusiastic Pride flags, with stripes all over the hat. I’ve done more options than pictured here, and I have a discount listing for any that I haven’t made yet.

[Image description: photos of twelve knit hats with cables displayed on foam heads. Each hat is striped in the colors of a different pride flag: trans, lesbian, Philadelphia rainbow, aromantic, bi, nonbinary, genderqueer, asexual, aroace, agender, genderfluid, and intersex.]

The subtle version comes in a solid color of your choice, with pride flag colors of your choice in a narrow band above the ribbing. Of course, how subtle this one turns out depends on how many flags you want on it.

[Image description: photos of four knit hats with cables displayed on foam heads. Each hat is a solid color with a narrow band in pride flag colors. One is blue with asexual and aromantic colors, one is heathered green with genderfluid and agender flags, one is a muted blue-green with the bi flag, and one is dark gray with the genderqueer flag.]

The stealth version comes in a solid color of your choice from the outside, with pride flag colors of your choice hidden inside the band.

Shield Of Pride Blanket Check-in!

Once the Pan flag is finished, we’re 19/24 - over the 3/4 mark!!