Desamour DesignsModern Crochet DesignerBIPOC MAKE-ALONG 2021! #BIPOCMAL2021

The BIPOC MAL is a make-along that I created in 2019 with the goal of supporting Black Brown Indigenous and Melanated People in the fiber community. This make along aims to provide exposure while also financially supporting the designers, makers, and dyers.

The past make-alongs have been highly successful and if you would like to read more about them visit the blog posts for BIPOC MAL 2019 , BIPOC MAL 2020 Winter , BIPOC MAL 2020 FALL .

The BIPOC MAL will always be a stress-free crochet, knit, and all fiber lovers event for those who want to support BIPOC designers, makers, and dyers. The only rule for this round of the MAL is that: The designer is indigenous!

Who are indigenous peoples?

It is estimated that there are more than 370 million indigenous people spread across 70 countries worldwide. They are the descendants of those who inhabited a country or a geographical region prior to the arrival of colonizers, people of different cultures, or ethnic origins. For example, the Lakota in the USA, the Mayas in Guatemala or the Aymaras in Bolivia, the Inuit and Aleutians of the circumpolar region, the Saami of northern Europe, the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders of Australia and the Maori of New Zealand.

There are more than 5,000 different Indigenous peoples and they speak more than 4,000 languages. Indigenous people represent about 5% of the world’s population. The vast majority of them – 70% – live in Asia.

Considering the diversity of indigenous peoples, an official definition of “indigenous” has not been adopted. The term “indigenous” has prevailed as a generic term for many years. In some countries, there may be preference for other terms including tribes, first peoples/nations, aboriginals, ethnic groups, adivasi, janajati. Occupational and geographical terms like hunter-gatherers, nomads, peasants, hill people, etc. also exist.

In many cases, the notion of being termed “indigenous” has negative connotations and some people may
choose not to reveal or define their origin. Others must respect such choices, while at the same time
working against the discrimination of indigenous peoples.

Indigenous peoples are the holders of unique languages, knowledge systems and beliefs and possess invaluable
knowledge of practices for the sustainable management of natural resources. They have a special relation to and
use of their traditional land. Their ancestral land has a fundamental importance for their collective physical and
cultural survival as peoples.

Indigenous peoples often have much in common with other neglected segments of societies, i.e. lack of political
representation and participation, economic marginalization and poverty, lack of access to social services and
discrimination. Despite their cultural differences, the diverse indigenous peoples share common problems also
related to the protection of their rights. They face harsh realities: eviction from their ancestral lands, being denied the opportunity to express their culture, physical attacks and treatment as second-class citizens. They strive for recognition of their identities, their ways of life and their right to traditional lands, territories and natural resources.

_{The above paragraphs are synopsis taken from the U}_{N & Amnesty}

What is a Make Along?

A make along is a virtual party for crocheters, knitters or any makers around the world. It’s an opportunity to try new patterns| stitches and skills, discover new designers, meet like-minded makers, make new friends, work on your make 9, and win great prizes!

The event runs from 9 August- Oct 31th 2021, but you can join the party anytime. Pick any free or paid pattern from a Indigenous designer, share your progress on Instagram|Facebook, and you’re in the running to win some awesome prizes.

Now the moment you’ve been waiting for… The prizes!

The prizes will be given out biweekly. To be in the running for the first prize you will HAVE to start working on your project, share it on Instagram/Facebook using the hashtags, with the designer tagged anytime from the 9th-22nd of August. To enter for the second prize you would have to share a finished objects/work in progress shot anytime between the 23rd of August to the 5th of September and so forth.

Follow me on Instagram as there may be some surprise prizes, not listed below, you can enter to win throughout the make-along.

Prize 1- Aug 9 to 22: One (1) Radicle Crafter T-Shirt from Radicle Threads Magazine | @radiclethreads

Prize 2- Aug 23 to Sept 5: (4) Skeins of yarn on Agni base. From left Dark Desire, Mauve Lustre and Pincushion Urchin. | @serendipitouswool

Prize 3- Sept 6 to 19: One (1) copy of Moringa Wrap crochet pattern from Divya | @stringtiery and one wrostedweight skein of 100% merino wool yarn from me | @desamourdesigns

Prize 4- Sept 20 to Oct 3: One (1) Stitch & Ho Tote Bag and one (1) enamel badge from Sara| @stitchesanhos

Prize 5- Oct 4 to 17: One (1) copy of Alternate Bolster Basket crochet pattern from Jen | @jsodetcrochet and a set of 3 stitch markers to include an octopus, a stingray, and a whale shark created by Whitney| @whitneymarieanderson

Prize 6- Oct 18 to 31: One (1) Copy of Bingsoo the Penguin crochet pattern from Julia | @littleworldofwhimsy and one (1) skein of yarn on either her Phillis DK or Sylvia Sock base from Robin| @birchhollowfibers

So… How do I win?

Instagram: Tag your MAL progress photos with #BIPOCMAL2021 and #BIPOCMAL2021Prize1 (or prize 2 depending on the week you’re entering your project for) as many times as you wish. You must also tag the designer and have the pattern name as part of your caption. Follow the sponsor of the prizes you’re entering to win. A winner will be chosen on the days mentioned above and announced in my stories. Your Instagram account must be public to win.
Facebook: Join the Desamour Designs Facebook group and post your progress photos to the most recent MAL update thread. You must also share the designer name or tag them and have the pattern name. Follow the sponsor of the prizes you’re entering to win. One winner will be chosen at the end of each period and announced in my stories and in the thread of the Facebook group.

Don’t forget if you use yarn from a BIPOC dyer, mention them along with their instagram and/or facebook handle.

Ready? Choose your pattern(s)!

I’ve put together a list of Indigenous designers for reference. If you know someone who isn’t listed below, please DM me on IG and I will add them.

Do not rely solely on this list. A lot of BIPOC accounts have highlights and lists of BIPOC designers, please research to find patterns and designers you love. BIPOC in Fiber has an extensive list on their blog CLICK HERE TO VISIT. BIPOC Makers Project is also a good resource for discovering new designers. The Makers Of Color Collective has a directory of designers and patterns as well.

Crochet

Dana Rae @danaraemakes

Oudeah @theresilientstitch

Ivonne @montanocrochet

Amanda @nukeniejte

Tessa @tzigns

Dyer/Yarn

Čanwaba-Win @allinkawsay_yachay

Cara @spiritsongstudio

Frenchie @arohaknits

Lissy & Rudy @lissyandrudy

Knit