“Each piece holds a story, a prayer, an emotion.” Maci, Little Miss Knits
When needles and yarn are in her hands, knitting becomes more than a craft, it becomes a journey filled with intention, discovery, and joy.
In this interview of the ‘Collection Knitters’ series, Maci shares her delightful approach to knitting. Her profile personally encourages me so much as I find her to exude a style that is extraordinary and very much all her own. If I could give that style a name, it would be: Heartening. And ‘heartening’ barely scratches the essence.
Every time I visit her collection, which I admittedly enjoy doing often, I sometimes forget that I’m on Instagram, because I feel more like I’m enthralled in a magazine or perusing through treasured postcards. Each of her posts are shared with such beauty, intrigue, and warmth.
Something especially fun to see are her yarn shop tours. Her selections make me pause and imagine all the possibilities held within the fibers. Not only does she make the search for yarn part of the enrichment, she takes the time to document and share her sweet moments.
And then, there is the knitting itself. With experience, confidence, and a creative spirit, she can sometimes set the pattern aside and allow her own knowledge to guide her stitches.
I am excited to share here what Maci has to contribute to this discussion! So, without further ado, our interview begins.
What is your object that you knit repetitively?
Maci: Knitting has become such a a lifeline for me. Having a pattern or design that is meditative and offers escape is a must for me, so there’s 2 – 3 that I lean towards. If you want miles of garter, no short rows, or any technical/advanced knitting skills or knowledge, I always have my LMK (Little Miss Knitss) Wrap on my needles. It can be made with any fingering weight yarn and I encourage striping to keep it interesting. I have a great stash of Purl Soho Linen Quill that I always reach for when knitting these wraps.
Second, is one of Jackie Rose’s Shrugs. Her design covers a “rhythm” of meditation with the consistent knit and purl sequence, and is a beautiful vehicle to play with color and striping sequences.
The third is the College Bound Hat by Christina Lundborg of Chelsea Yarns.
I will always have one of these designs on my needles.
What have you noticed about why the object is your most (if not only) preferred?
Maci: I’ll speak to my LMK Wrap, as it’s the knit that brings me the most peace but also sparks my creativity in a very inviting, and relaxing way.
This knit offers an opportunity and experience for a marathon, and that marathon is whatever you’d like for it to be. My preferred method is, “slow and steady wins the race” because I’m usually trying to get 100 different things done. So, this knit is simple, you can set it down and walk away for a couple of minutes or a couple of months and know exactly where you were. You can add as many or as little colors as you would like. It’s a place to quiet the mind and move the hands. The LMK Wrap feels like home. If I’m [knitting] in an airport, a car, or meeting a friend for coffee, the stitches offer a simple steadiness.
Rhythm and meditation are so important in the designs I choose and I encourage other knitters to find that one piece that you could knit over and over again because of the vibes, the feeling you get throughout the process of making.
Do you think it’s important to challenge yourself?
Maci: Yes, challenging yourself offers the possibility of a reward. It offers the opportunity to learn something new, or refine what you already know. Knitting in general can be challenging, how to hold your needles and what style of knitting works for you, learning the stitches, the fibers and wool contents, how to read a pattern, following that pattern, knowing your measurements, and tailoring your knitting to those measurements, understanding ease, and so much more. One area in knitting I always find challenging is cables, I adore the designs but it takes me a while to commit to creating designs with cables because I know it’s going to offer “new territory”.
It’s not a challenge I can’t complete, but a challenge that may offer up new knitting techniques, and discipline, and that excites me. Knitting has challenged my creativity as a whole. I would have never thought I would be able to make my own garments with two metal needles and beautiful yarns.
Is repetition more important to you? If so, why?
Maci: Repetition is a part of knitting. Especially, when you’ve been knitting through the years. The way you hold your needles and tension your yarn, is repetitive. It’s muscle memory. Your ideal cast on method. A pattern you knit on repeat because it brings you comfort. Repetition is embedded and engraved in the practice of knitting, and for me, it unravels itself as meditation. Instead of [thinking of it as] repetition, I appreciate it; and I am grateful for the consistency.
In what ways do you benefit from “Collection Knitting”?
I knit what inspires me, not for the trophy or sense of adding to a collection. Sure, there is a collection, but it’s organic. Each piece holds a story, a prayer, an emotion. The benefit for me, is simply being present in these creative seasons in my life and allowing the knitting to collect and hold space for particular moments I may want to relive – through wearing that piece.
Concluded.
Maci, thank you for your depth and contribution to this topic.
Thank you, readers.
To see more of Maci’s creativity and enjoy her stories and vlogs, subscribe to her YouTube at ‘Little Miss Knits’ and follow her on Instagram at
Written/Blogged by Keisha Lemon, Handknit Harmonies
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