We were lucky to catch up with Grace Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Grace, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I originally learned how to knit when I was a little girl, my grandmother taught me but I didn’t quite have the attention span for it yet. So when I was in college, I was tired of being on my phone and wanted to learn how to create something, so using Youtube videos, Pinterest, and more guidance from my grandma, I relearned how to knit. One of the greatest things about knitting is that it’s slow, so learning is allowed to be slow too. The best way to quickly learn though is by actually following a pattern, not just knitting small pieces just for the sake of knitting. The most essential skill is really patience. Knitting is a very small, detailed craft, so just being patient and trusting yourself is the best way to learn. I think the biggest obstacle is understanding how much actually goes into knitting, what a different size needle means, straight versus circular needles, yarn weights, and how manipulating the stitches in different ways creates different results.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a small time, knitter, I learned both from my grandmother as a child and then as adult through YouTube videos and other articles. I sell many knitted goods but I am known for my custom blankets. Virtually any size, pattern, color, yarn, and I can create the blanket you have always wanted. I also make knitted pumpkins, mini stocking ornaments, wash cloths, etc. One of the things I believe sets me apart is I am striving to make an older craft, modern. I want to make pieces that are beautiful and timeless. I am really proud of the few items I have made and what they mean to the people in my life. My mothers sweater is always the talk of the day when she wears it, my best friends blanket is shown off to every guest, and my brothers ocean blanket is one of his most prized possession. It reminds me that my craft involves giving part of myself in my goods, so they are more special than anything bought at a store. For any future clients, my main goal would be to work to create a dream knitted item for them, something they have always wanted, something perfectly theirs.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think the best way to support artists it to buy their goods. It’s simple, I know. But one thing people forget is yes, you can buy a similar product from Target or Walmart, but those goods are mass produced for everyone. But these goods from an artist is made just for you, by another human, who spent their time to create something special.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I think the most rewarding thing about being an artist is the affect my knitted goods can have on people. My mom raves about her sweater and shares it with pride. My brother’s most prized possession is his ocean blanket that he shows off whenever he can. Knowing that these items that I gave so much of myself too, time, resources, what have you, now have a special place in peoples lives.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @lavender_purls
• Facebook: Lavender Purls