About
We’re a couple of yarnies who love to knit. We’re also blind, and we’ve created a space where other blind and low vision yarn crafters can find and share yarny experiences, techniques, and patterns that are clear to the ear without relying on pictures to make sense. We hope to have something for all fiberistas who come by–even the ones who really, really like the pictures.
• To find information on how to learn to knit, check out this post on knitting basics by Crystal.
All patterns and articles posted here are original to their authors, who own the copyright.
About Ana
I lost most of my sight during the summer between first and second grade. The little that was left was gone a year later. The advantage to having this experience at such a young age is that, for years, I didn’t notice I was blind except that people suddenly started to treat me differently. I still remember I’m blind mostly when someone else says or does something that suggests they’re uncomfortable with it. Unfortunately, this is a lot of people, and part of the purpose of this blog for me is to let sighted visitors know we’re all united in yarn.
I’ve had different jobs, English instructor and freelance translator and interpreter being the most recurring. I do a little creative writing here and there, and lately I’ve also been spreading the word about Android accessibility in another blog.
About Crystal
I started losing my sight in 2000 just before I turned 19. By 21 I was totally blind from a rare genetic condition (Von Hippel Lindau) that I didn’t know I had previously. I am very grateful for the years I could see, but I’ve learned a lot in the past few years, including that sight is not as important as most people think it is. A lot of people think it’s amazing that I knit and crochet but I know that I’m not special at all )as far as that goes anyway). There are hundreds of blind people who do the same things I do every day.
I’m also a stay at home mom to a little boy who was born in October 2010. Besides everything crafty, my interests include reading, writing and baking when I have time.
You can find me on Ravelry as Crystal6207 and on Twitter as CrystalKnits.
Contact Us
Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments at fingeringyarn@gmail.com.
crystal
Ana
Working out Kinks and Fingering Yarn 
Mar 30, 2011 @ 14:34:15
Hi! I found your blog in a real roundabout way. I became high partial legally blind at age 59 in October 2003 – left retina imploded 1998 and right retina detached 2003. Almost totally blind for a couple months. God and good doctors got my right eye back to working pretty well, but I lack depth perception and peripheral sight. I’ve been crocheting since I was little and knitting about 30 years. I’ve learned that I can still crochet a LOT, doing much of it by feel and with at least sport weight yarn and about a “G” hook, but worsted and bulky and an “I” hook and up, is easier. I bought a set of the round Knifty Knitters last week but have yet to learn to use them. And now I’ve got to read through a lot of your blog! I’m glad I found it!
Mar 30, 2011 @ 18:00:29
I know all about retinal damage. That’s my problem in a round about way. Mine happened at age 20 in 2001. I’m glad you’ve found the blog useful. Be sure to check out the blog roll for more useful pages. There are some blind knitting groups as well as a blog focused on loom knitting.
Sep 11, 2011 @ 11:49:56
I found your blog…when I was looking for info in knitting in the round. I made notes from your info and didn’t read the ‘about’ part until just a few minutes ago! WHAT a great resource you are for others! I am so impressed with your blog and the info you are able to share with both sighted and blind knitters! Way to go Ana and Crystal and THANKS!!!!!!!
Jul 25, 2012 @ 15:04:47
Ladies, I am amazed by you! I found your blog in a roundabout way when googling for Cat Bordhi’s sweet tomato heel information. I would never have known that the author(s) was (were) blind if I hadn’t also stumbled my way to your “about” page…there is no indication in your writing, and you are not wallowing in a pity party. Good for you! Forging straight ahead, and doing a damned good job of it!
And thank you, because sighted or not, you are giving a lot of instruction and inpiration to the rest of us!
Jan 18, 2014 @ 19:24:42
I can’t believe that I misplaced your blog, until right now! Got a lot of catching up to do! I retired November 2010, and here it is over 3 years later! Now to catch up some with what y’all are doing! I’m thankful for the good usable sight I have in my right eye (tunnel vision). I don’t mind wearing hearing aids (for 8 years), and often don’t wear them when I’m home alone, but I think it would be hard for me to become totally blind, though I know I’d manage! Thanks again for your blog!
Oct 18, 2015 @ 22:41:16
Like Maria, I found your blog while trying to decipher the Sweet Tomato Heel….I detest wrap & turns….but the STH video left me baffled while your instructions were crystal clear!! Now I understand why!
As the daughter of a visually impaired parent, I understand some of the challenges, but excuses were never tolerated in my house growing up!
I think that’s why your description clicked with me better than the original STH video…..you paint a much better pictures with words!
Thanks so much, love your blog!