We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sara Greer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sara, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Over the course of my life I have learned to do many things that are fiber related; what I want to share now is my story of learning to knit. I was in my early twenties and I didn’t know anyone who knitted. My family crocheted and I had been doing that well for the last few years. I wanted to make a feather and fan something, but that is knitting, and so I had to learn. At this time I didn’t understand what a yarn shop was and that I could probably go there to learn. I used yarn that is made of plastic and bought at the big box stores.
At one of those stores I found a “Learn how to Knit” book. I started in the front so as not to miss anything. In the picture the working yarn was being held in the right hand. As a right handed crocheter this is backwards to me. So I turned the page and that picture showed holding the yarn in the left hand, ah, here are the instructions I need. I proceeded to follow these directions of how to knit and purl and I was off and knitting.
I did eventually find a group of wonderful ladies who helped me learn to yarn over, work in the round and fix my mistakes.
A couple of years into my knitting adventure I discovered one of those yarn shops. They were offering a lace class. I signed up. It was in this class my knitting identity crisis began. It was here that I learned I am a left hand or mirror knitter! What ?!?! How did that happen? Why was my work good and looked fine? Uh-oh I taught my Mom how to knit the same way.
Well this began my journey of figuring out exactly what it means to be a mirror knitter, a term I’ve only heard in the last 5 years and would have been helpful all those years ago.
My Mom and I were part in an online knitting group where a pattern for a dish cloth is sent out each month. Mine were fine, until there was a word that came out backwards! These directions were written and the lace class was charted. My lace looked like everyone else’s and the instructor didn’t know why. I decided to chart the dishcloth and see what happened. In the process of making the chart I read a bit more about how to use a chart for knitting. I learned that I was reading the chart backwards compared to what a right hand knitter does and that’s why my work was coming out the same. I finished charting the dishcloth correctly and worked it in my backwards way and it came out just fine.
That has been some years ago now. I have learned that there are many different styles of knitting. The one I “should” have learned, Continental, as well as English, Portuguese and others.
So I am a mirror knitter who throws. When moving some books around in the last couple of years, I found that “Learn How to Knit” book. I started flipping through it and guess what, if I had turned the page one more time, I would be a right handed Continental knitter. I’m glad I’m not though. Because I am a mirror knitter I have a great understanding how the stitches work. I have learned to knit Continental so that I can teach others properly. While it was a struggle for a while, it was so worth it and I wouldn’t trade it.

Sara, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am at least, a 5th generation hand-worker. I don’t remember not holding a needle of some sort and playing with yarn or thread. After high I got married and I was a home maker. I made all of the Christmas gifts that first year of marriage, that’s before I knew how to crochet or knit. I wanted to learn more and do more to fill my time, as well as give to others. I finally conquered crochet. I had been able to make the chain stitch since I was four, but nothing else.
I made doilies, blankets, hats, mittens, you name it; but then what?
I learned of charities that would take my hand made items. I started making baby clothes for preemies. Then the need of tiny clothes for babies who didn’t make it came into view. There were no patterns though and that is why I started designing patterns for crochet. During this time I also learned to knit and designed a few knit patterns as well.
Though I was a home maker, with 3 children now, I still had time to fill. I read a lot and starting learning the history of knitting, crochet and spinning.
I found a place to do historical reenacting and I started speaking to children and families about where clothing came and comes from. I love to share what I know and learn. I teach classes one on one, at a local shop and even at large festivals.
As I learned about lace, I designed it too. Now I love to teach through videos I make about a particular stitch or technique. Many of my pattern designs now reflect that as well. I have become a tech editor to help other, especially new, designers have the clearest pattern possible so that other stitchers can be successful in the their endeavors.
Start to finish, I’ve nearly done it all and will gladly share what I know.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Pay a fair price for the work that has been done, not just for the materials. Don’t categorize an artist because they are an artist. An artist can be smart, funny, quiet, “uneducated” or educated. Anyone can be an artist. There are many different mediums out there. Music and paint are obvious. Wood and photo are also appreciated too. Food is up there but fiber doesn’t get its due because I can get that at such and such for so much cheaper…
Remember that knitter, spinner, dyer, crocheter has at least one skill set that you don’t. Pay them as you would someone else of expertise in your life.
We all need each other. We’ll keep making great things for you to use and wear if you support us in what we do.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I would love to be part of a fiber arts guild that includes all of the fiber arts, not just knit or crochet or… There is one in Denver, that I lived too far away from at the time, and now I’m in another state.
It is a true guild, they pass on the skills they each have to those who want to learn.
One large group meeting and then a different fiber discipline each week so you don’t have to choose.
I just want to teach everyone the importance of fiber, fiber arts and how to do it.

Contact Info:

• Website: azariahsfibrearts.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azariahsfibrearts/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069803905049
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdquPheSnVeMK0TEPWklQRQ
• Other: Tiktok – https://www.tiktok.com/@azariahsfibrearts Ravelry – https://www.ravelry.com/people/Azariah Blog – http://azariahsfibrearts.com/my-work-basket/

Image Credits
Sara Greer