Knitted bras, wedding dress crocheting & Keitodama // July 2023 - Seedling Stitch Knitting Podcast

[@knittingghost]

I really enjoy your podcast, Athena! I empathize with the pressure you feel regarding your wedding. For various reasons, my husband and I "eloped" for our ceremony. Our families knew we were having a private ceremony, so it wasnt a surprise. However, previous comments of "we'll support you no matter what you choose" quickly turned to "weddings are about the familiy". We ignored those comments and carried through with our original plan. It was the most magical day ever, and I regret nothing. We still get rude comments from some people, but in the end, we did what made us happy and that's truly what matters. All of that to say, I hope you're able to enjoy your belated ceremony your way. I'm from the US, so cultural pressures and expectations are different, but I feel for you. I wish you luck with your dress and can't wait to see you wearing it! Safe travels!

[@SeedlingStitch]

Thank you! I can totally relate. I almost did the same thing for my actual wedding. I was so afraid that my family would “distort” my wedding with outdated traditions so that I only told them about it a couple of months before. It was a super small ceremony with just two of my best friends but it was everything *I* wanted. It was still a lovely day when I look back. The make-up ceremony that is about to happen will just be for my family and not so much for myself. I feel like I owe it to them. But at least now I have a crochet project to look forward to!

[@meredithanne]

Preach!!! I love your commentary on body positivity and feminism❤💗💓💞

[@SeedlingStitch]

❤️❤️

[@juliecanknit2]

Hi Athena! A great video as always 😊 1. You recommended some Chinese yarns to me a few months ago. I have them (along with my Grandma’s stash) and currently finishing my WIPs to start using them. Thank you! 2. In late 2019/early 2020 I passed security in the Seoul and Chinese airports with metal knitting needles (2 sets of DPNs and 1 small circular), no major issues! I remember the Korean security flagged my bag when it passed the x-Ray machine, visually checked the needles, and then handed it right back to me. Ever since, I haven’t had issues flying with metal needles in the US or Europe. A handy tip if you’re concerned and using interchangeables: keep your project on the cord but put your needles in a pencil pouch/with pens during the security check. 3. Huge congrats on making your own wedding dress and saying “no” to family (it doesn’t mean you don’t love them any less!). Safe travels, and enjoy seeing family and eating lots of good food!

[@SeedlingStitch]

Thank you for the info! I’m glad to hear that you are trying out some Chinese yarn!

[@allisonmosher7398]

Every video I have watched of yours so far (I just discovered your channel today) has been so amazing and inspiring and it feels so great to see another person who I can relate to in so many ways but also learn from and admire for our differences (culture). Everything you said about women when you were talking about the bralette, ahhhhh i love it! Makes me soo happy to hear this being talked about, especially in this setting. And your English is amazing, you use words that I don't even know fully as an English speaker. And the phrases and sayings sound very natural. I'm so glad I found your channel! Love from Nova Scotia

[@SeedlingStitch]

Thank you! I’m so glad to hear that ☺️

[@gabyminofiallo]

I really like what your are saying, that insecurity and shame but also is a kind of protection for us. Man and woman need to change this mentality. Hopefully soon this will happen! 😊

[@SeedlingStitch]

Yes the insecurity comes from the fear of being harassed if wearing “too exposed”, but a better protection would be centred on women’s health and comfort in wearing clothes, and not on avoiding being harassed (although sadly that is the truth in most current reality).

[@sashahcrysler108]

Lovely episode! Always happy to see people talking about bras and how we feel about our bodies and our breasts! In the US, the padded/molded cup bra has definitely also been the "expected"/required bra to wear for at least two decades now. I think that type of bra is still the most sold style here by a large margin. I still feel a lot of insecurity around what bras I wear because of growing up with these "nippleless" style bras 😅. One thing that has helped me get over some of that insecurity is learning about different bra fashion trends--the cone bra era in the US is interesting in that it's pretty much the polar opposite of what we're used to right now (though I think that trend was very much still driven by that patriarchal/male gaze). But talking about how we feel about our bodies in these bras I think helps change what's seen as "respectable" and expected of us versus what we actually want to wear (or don't want to wear!). All this to say, thank you for sharing your thoughts about all this!

[@SeedlingStitch]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts too! Yes it’s good to talk about these topics so that we will feel more comfortable with our body!

[@marthareyes6964]

Hello, it's great to know you because I don't speak English at all...I understand 50% but it's enough to learn more about knitting world!! Tanks for do that possible!! 🎉

[@SeedlingStitch]

I’m so glad! Happy knitting!

[@pjk4361]

Thank you Athena for your lovely episode. Your wedding dress will be beautiful on you, especially knowing you made it from your own hands and heart. Good for you for giving yourself the gift of a dress you love for such a special day in you and your husband's lives. If we try to please everyone all the time, we never become who we were meant to be. I support your boundary-setting, caring for yourself as much as for others. Have a lovely second wedding day. Please tell us about it when you return... with pictures. You are delightful inside and out!!

[@SeedlingStitch]

Thank you! Definitely I will come back with many photos and videos from my visit!

[@gabyminofiallo]

About your concern about the knitting needles on the plane, in my experience I haven’t had any problem, I travel with my interchangeable cable needles and my crochet hook . Have a safe trip! Enjoy your knitting, and thanks for all the information that you share. Looking forward to knit your vine tee.😊

[@SeedlingStitch]

Thank you for the tip!

[@annabelle7123]

Totally agree with the nipple issue! As an Asian girl, I love wearing bralettes because they are comfortable but I also feel uncomfortable without a bra or showing nipple shape. Luckily with my knitted bralettes because they were thicker fabric, I didn’t have that issue yet, but I want to be free!! 🎉

[@SeedlingStitch]

I’m glad to hear that knitted bras work for you! Take good care of your breasts 😆

[@kathykups7962]

Another great episode can’t wait to see the next one if you talk with your grandma have a wonderful time there and the wedding dress looks great so far😊❤

[@SeedlingStitch]

Thank you 💚

[@reallifevixen]

Enjoyed your video, as usual! As a vegan knitter, it's nice to hear about your use of plant-based yarns (hemp, linen, cotton), though it makes me very sad that even a poor possum isn't free from being used by humans. Loved your discussion about setting boundaries- so important!

[@SeedlingStitch]

Thank you!

[@knittysixx5106]

I’ve been y to shed the chains of the patriarchy, not quite as successfully as you are! I’m delving into your back catalogue of podcasts and enjoying them very much !

[@SeedlingStitch]

Happy catching up with my earlier videos!

[@CathyWuVancouver]

Another enjoyable video! I’ve heard so many good things about possum wool, but when I googled the animal, their face scared me off. It’s such an irrational thought, but I’m weird that way. For travel, I would suggest holding your project on a barber cord, and then putting your wooden needles inside a pencil case with school supplies. This was a suggestion given on someone’s KZbin channel and it’s always worked for me.

[@SeedlingStitch]

Thanks for the info! I’m going to do just that. The face of possum does look scary 🤣

[@RachelWest0]

I have heard that it is beneficial to have your project started before you go through security. Sometimes people report that the security officers ask them to knit to show that they are really knitters. I have never had a problem, but I always bring wooden double pointed needles. I do not think you will have a problem with the crochet hook at all since I have not heard anyone else have a problem with their crochet hooks.

[@SeedlingStitch]

Thank you for the tip!

[@wildcottageknitting]

Fantastic episode, Athena, for so many reasons! 🤗 And I’ve found, so far, that wooden needles when I fly have been fine.

[@SeedlingStitch]

Thank you for sharing, Susan!

[@jguitar23]

Wow, you're a high knitting master❤❤❤

[@hcb_sha]

Great episode, Athena! Love the continuation of the Vine series and all of your FOs! It's been a joy to see your wedding dress progress and am rooting for you!~

[@SeedlingStitch]

Thank you so much!🙌

[@sanan8568]

Good evening, Athena. Thank you for a very thought provoking podcast made when you could have been crocheting instead. I love the "Jules Genser" on you. I'm so glad you still have your grandma and can visit her. She sounds like a wonderful lady and I'm sure she has a lot of wisdom to share. Often I wish I could talk to my grandma and ask her about life and knitting questions. She had been gone a long time and I still miss her. Wishing you a most lovely trip back home and looking forward to your next podcast, Sarah

[@SeedlingStitch]

Thank you Sarah 🥰

[@christinefunk3591]

Hi from Beausejour Manitoba. I really like your channel. I did 2 years engineering when I was 18-20. Really like the nerdy math. I bought your no frills and bag pattern to support you. Wish you many successes and good luck with the wedding dress. You only live once and if you’re not happy no one is happy. Fill your cup first so then you have lots to give to your family. That’s my motto

[@SeedlingStitch]

Thank you! I like your motto!

[@samstrees]

Hope you have a lovely wedding wearing something you want without feeling guilty! That dress is coming together so well, and IT'S GREEN! Setting boundaries with parents IS hard at times, but if they are disappointed for not being able to control you, that disappointment is no one else's fault but their own. Regarding bringing needles on flights, I'd suggest looking up the policy on the airline's website, and perhaps the airports where you will go through security. Sometimes the airport security allows knitting needles, but the airline doesn't, if that's the case you can still knit in the waiting area in the airport. Although it looks like most security don't care about one pair of knitting needles in the carry-on bag. When I was flying in Europe earlier this year, I brought one pair of cheap sock needles and the sock. Also I put on a safety line just in case the needles can't go through security and need to be thrown away on the spot, but all was well in the end. If you bring a large bundle of metal needles, that definitely should go in the check-in bag though. Hope you have a safe journey! 💚💚💚

[@SeedlingStitch]

Thank you for the tips! 💚💚💚

[@knittenpurl8572]

I wanted to make a comment to cheer you on! I am also a knitter that lives in vancouver and I am from China originally too, but I moved here when I was much younger. My father is also from Harbin! I haven't been there in many years. It's so nice to watch a knitter based in Vancouver and I love you talking about Chinese yarn and knitting books. I speak mandarin but not well enough to read it so I feel like I'm missing out on a lot of my culture. What you said about boundaries is so true! I've also read that book and am going through the same thing with my mom. It's different cultures, Western culture is very individualistic and that is the opposite of Chinese culture in a lot of ways. I can talk about that for ages, but I want to say that I'm behind you! I think our families can be used to thinking of us like an extension of themselves. Growing up i was told my parents know best, and I'm sure that's hard for them to think that might not be true anymore. Well, they still tell me they know best! In the end your life is your own to make. I remind myself that my mom has her own choices to make that I can't control. There are times that I wish she would make a different choice, but I'm sure she would say the same about me! In the end I can only go halfway and no further, it's her choice to meet me there or not. I hope you have a good time back home! And the tickets weren't too expensive! It's been so crazy trying to get to go back! I miss my grandma too.

[@SeedlingStitch]

It’s nice to meet a fellow Harbiner / Vancouverite / knitter virtually!! I guess we’ll just have to respect our mothers’ own choices while living ourselves free of guilt. Cheering you up too!

[@jeannievega1639]

Thank you Athena for a great episode. Love your crochet wedding dress. Safe travels!!!

[@SeedlingStitch]

Thank you! 😊

[@slowstitches]

Love this podcast.....from nipples to mama! Lots of things on your mind, Athena. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I'm so glad you chose to wear a green dress. Sometimes we get caught up in worrying about what other people will think and what they will say. I like to try to live in a No Judgement Zone. But the truth is, I'm not always good about it when it comes to my children....and they are adults, like you. I hope your mother will see the beautiful, talented Athena rather than worrying about what you are wearing. You may be paving the way for your mother to open her mind a bit. ❤

[@SeedlingStitch]

Thank you so much for the kind words 💚💚

[@gamergranny285]

I look forward to your future designs. I have started your vine top. And although it looks great on your videos and in pictures... it is even better to see the vines pattern appear in person. Beautiful design. Love it. You did a great job. I will be following your progress in your design career. Your English is not slow and is very good.

[@SeedlingStitch]

Thank you! I’m glad to hear the vine top comes out great for you!

[@Catsface99]

You seem like such a very sweet person. I like how you think about things and come to your own conclusions about what is moral or not. You are correct that we are conditioned to feel shame about various aspects of our bodies. I love the beautiful cashmere green bra. The yarn looks like it is so soft and cosy to wear when made into a garment. I can't knit very well although I try but I admire how talented you are making garments and patterns, you are amazing! I am wondering what sort of PhD you studied for and received? Keep sharing your beautiful work. Your English is very good. Is your pattern book written in Japanese?

[@SeedlingStitch]

Thank you. I studies mechanical engineering. My pattern book is in Chinese (translated from the original Japanese one). It’s not been translated to English.

[@anciify]

Thank you for making this podcast (not just this episode), always very interesting, not just knit-wise. I would be interested, if you are willing to share, about your family background, what do you know about your ancestors and their lives and their professions and prosperity and values and education - because you come across as extremely well educated, broad-sighted and with an open heart&mind&eyes, at the same time with deep humbleness - and all these is usually given by a nuclear family... Regarding setting boundaries with your family, especially with a mother: I hear you, sister :-) This is a deep issue that is an evolutionary trait across all over the world, cultures and eras. It is good to be aware of that and talk about it. Interestingly, not even a huge distance across the planet is making it easier... Regarding a traditional red wedding dress: I like traditions, I think it would be interesting to present yourself in a traditional dress, maybe with a twist (different shade of red or something like that?), maybe just for half an hour or so for a part of a ceremony - but only if you could make it fun for you and if such a dress is not too expensive for an experiment.

[@SeedlingStitch]

Hi! I would be happy to share more about my family in the course of this podcast. I am an only child but I grow up very close to my grandparents and cousins. There are things to chat about! Regarding traditions, those traditional Chinese dresses are expensive and ugly (imo), unfortunately, that’s why I was so opposed of spending any money on them. But I’m happy to honour other aspects of Chinese traditions, for example, food 🥢🥟🍜🥮😆! I’ll make sure to eat a lot of delicious Chinese food lol!

[@taraldstein7165]

I love your anology of the computer virus of patriarchy! It slows us down and is harmful for individuals (all genders) and society. Thank you!

[@SeedlingStitch]

Yes! Thank you!

[@MoonbeamsandSunbeams]

Yes, I totally agree that it's a great analogy! Was going to comment a similar thing :)

[@knittenpurl8572]

This might be a silly suggestion but what if you block your wedding dress in China? I am just thinking the silk would likely wrinkle anyway. It will be so hot in Harbin it should dry quickly 😂

[@SeedlingStitch]

Unfortunately this will not be an option, because the wedding party is on the day after my arrival 😅