Social Media Platforms with Strong Knitting Communities
Are you a knitter in search of some knitting pals? It can sometimes be difficult to find friends who knit in real life. While some local yarn stores offer in-person meet-ups or classes, many of us don’t live close enough or have schedules that allow us to attend. Plus, knitting is usually done from the comfort of your couch, so it can be hard to spot and chat up a knitter in the wild. One amazing way to connect and chat about knitting is through social media. Keep reading to learn about different social media platforms with amazing knitting communities so you can start making some online knitting friends today! (And who knows, maybe you’ll be able to meet an online pal who lives nearby you, too!)
Knitting Communities and Social Media Platforms
Below is a list of my top social media platform recommendations for knitters. All of these platforms have strong knitting communities, and you’ll be able to connect and chat with knitters on all of them! The important thing here is to find a platform that works for you because not all social media platforms are created equal. Under each recommendation, I’ll give you a little description of what each platform is like to help you decide if you want to spend time on it! For most platforms, I also say what the average age range of users are, but that really doesn't matter. All of these platforms are obviously good to use at any age, but I included it just in case it is an important factor for you.
Instagram (also known as knitstagram in the knitting-verse) is my personal favorite social media platform for knitting content and connection! Instagram is a very visual-heavy app, which is great for sharing works in progress and finished objects. However, it is important to note that Instagram has been pushing video content (Reels). This is important to note because if you post an image, it may not get seen by that many people. Also, your feed will likely be filled with videos rather than images. If you’re a fan of video content though, then Instagram is a great option for you! And I appreciate how you still have the option to post and view pictures as well.
While a majority of knitstagram users are in their early 20s through 30s, there is a wide range of knitters on the app. If you’re looking to expand your knitting community on Instagram, I recommend following some hashtags. Some general hashtags like #knittersofig and #knitstagram will make it so more knitting content will pop up in your feed, and you can find cool makers that you like that way. If you’re into specific niches within knitting, like sock knitting, for example, you can also follow hashtags related to that specific niche! Instagram is a great resource for designers to find test knitters or for makers to apply to test knit, too! If you’re interested in test knitting, you might want to follow the hashtag #testknittingcall. (For following a hashtag, simply go to the Search section on Instagram, type in the hashtag you want to follow, click on it, and then click follow!)
In addition to finding and connecting with other knitters, Instagram is a great way to find and save patterns. If you really like a project or pattern that someone shares, you can click the save button (that looks like a little bookmark icon) in the bottom right corner of a post. You are then given an option to save it to a folder. I have a folder with a bunch of cool pattern inspiration called “Patterns I want to try,” and it has been such an awesome tool for determining what projects I want to make. (To access your saved items, go to your profile, then click the three horizontal bars on the top right corner. Click the “Saved” option and there you go!) I then narrow down the patterns I save and apply them to my Knitwear Capsule Wardrobe Blueprint so I only make clothes I know I'll wear!
Click here to check out the Knitwear Capsule Wardrobe Blueprint.
If you’re interested in using Instagram as a way to connect with fellow knitters, be sure to give me a follow! I’d also love it if you DM’ed me to say hi! Click here to view my Instagram page.
TikTok
TikTok’s knitting community is similar to Instagram but has important differences. The audience of knitters is generally younger, with a large majority of users being in their teens through early 20s. Also, TikTok only has video content, which differs from Instagram since Instagram allows videos and images. However, even with only being able to share videos, knitters have lots of different ways that they approach their TikTok video production. For example, some knitters film a lot of tutorials, which is super helpful. Other knitters just chat or rant while knitting. Some film how they style their knits or make aesthetic videos featuring their knitting and/or finished objects. There are tons of ways people approach video content.
If you want to check out TikTok, you can easily follow people and consume the content they put out and choose to engage in the comments or not. (I feel like consuming content without putting out content of your own happens more on TikTok than on Instagram.) You can also try making some TikTok videos of your own, which would likely help you make some knitting friends faster!
If you’re interested in expanding your knitting community on TikTok, make sure to give me a follow! Click here to view my TikTok profile.
Unlike Instagram and TikTok, which are more video/image-oriented platforms, Facebook offers more opportunities for people to chat about knitting. To make the most of your Facebook experience as a knitter, I recommend searching for one or more knitting groups to join. Some groups are public and some are private, and most have certain rules you have to follow, but all could be a great way to join a small community within the platform!
Users on Facebook are usually in their 30s and older, but there are plenty of younger knitters on there as well. Also, Facebook supports images, videos, and simply text-based posts. All of these options can make it very user-friendly, and you can really share whatever you want (format-wise!).
I just started my Facebook page for New Wave Knitting and would LOVE it if you gave me a follow. I plan on starting a Facebook group as well so we can chat about the blog posts each week as well as any other topic that pops up! If that sounds like something you’re interested in, then definitely give me a follow so you don’t miss it! Click here to view my Facebook page.
Making
Making is a new app and social media platform by Making Co., which is very picture-forward and focuses solely on, well, making. There isn’t a focus or push to satisfy an algorithm, like Instagram or TikTok, which is really refreshing. Rather, you adjust your preferences to see what kinds of projects you're interested in, such as knitting and crochet. However, there are also categories for different crafts like leatherwork and pottery. Because the app is relatively new and small, it definitely seems like a more intimate platform where you can make strong connections in the comments. You also have the option to message people! If you’re an Instagram or TikTok user who is feeling a little burnt out on those platforms, I recommend checking it out.
I just set up my Making account and am excited to learn more about the app. I plan on sharing some blog topics, but mainly the projects that I’m working on, which is super fun! I’m honestly not sure how to share my profile link (or if it is even possible), but make sure to give me a follow at @newwaveknitting to see what I’m working on!
Ravelry
I've heard Ravelry called "the Facebook for knitters" before, and I’d say that’s very accurate. Ravelry is a HUGE knitting resource, and serves as a massive database for patterns and yarns but also hosts forums for people to connect and chat. In the past, I would mainly use Ravelry solely for its database purposes. I find it so helpful when determining what project to make and what yarn to get for that project. It is so cool how you can see the finished objects by other knitters for each project, and see what yarn they used to make it with!
While Ravelry’s database is so useful for knitters, you’ll definitely want to check out the forums if you’re looking to make connections with other knitters. The forums are a good place for experienced knitters, beginner knitters, and all knitters in between. There are different forums for all things patterns, yarn, techniques, news and events, and more, where you can chat, ask for advice, or just rant haha. (To find the forums, select the “Community” tab and click on “Forums” underneath.)
Ravelry isn’t the sexiest platform, and I think it is used more by knitters who are in their late 30s and older, but I recommend checking it out and seeing if it is a good fit for you. You might just find a cool knitting pal in the forums! (Please note that Ravelry’s website was redesigned in the summer of 2020, and some users report getting migraines and even seizures when using the website. Be mindful of this if you are photosensitive or notice any weird feelings when on the website.)
If you’re interested in giving Ravelry a shot, be sure to add me as a friend! I’ll see you in the forums! Click here to view my profile on Ravelry.
Another forum-based platform with a strong knitting community is Reddit. Subreddits like r/knitting and r/KnittingReddit are great to join to chat with others about all things knitting. Reddit is cool too because you can be as anonymous as you want. Because of the anonymity, it's tough to tell the average age of users, but I really think that knitters on Reddit are of all ages. And despite the anonymity, you can also build strong connections with other users in the comments or through direct messages.
I appreciate how you can share pictures, videos, or text posts on Reddit too, so the kind of content you share and/or consume is really up to you. Like in the forums of Ravelry, you can share finished objects and works in progress, ask for help, share tips and tricks, discuss news, or just rant about knitting problems in knitting subreddits. Also, like Ravelry, there isn’t as much of a focus on the number of followers or likes you get on whatever you post or comment (although getting “upvotes” does help your posts or comments get seen more).
I was a member of a couple of knitting subreddits on my personal Reddit account, but I just started a New Wave Knitting Reddit account, too! If you’re interested in using Reddit, be sure to give me a follow so you can more easily see what discussions I’m sharing and taking part in! Click here to view my Reddit profile.
YouTube
YouTube is different from the above recommendations, but it feels weird to leave it out of this list. If you’re not interested in finding connections with knitters online, then I suggest looking up knitting podcasts or vlogs on YouTube. There are quite a few knitters who have podcasts where they chat about their makes and their knitting problems. Some knitters do live streams, so you can hop in the chat and message them while they are filming live. As a viewer, this is a more one-sided connection, but can still make you feel like you have a connection to a knitting pal!
Another option of course is to make your own knitting podcast or vlog on YouTube! If you’re dying to make some online knitting pals, making your own channel would be a great way to make connections with other knitters.
I just launched the New Wave Knitting YouTube channel, and am in the early stages of planning a podcast! I also plan on sharing some tutorials. Be sure to give me a follow so you don’t miss anything! Click here to view my YouTube channel.
It can be hard to find knitting pals IRL sometimes, but there are tons of knitters online who love chatting about their art and craft. Find a platform or two that you like and begin making some connections! And who knows, maybe you’ll even be able to meet your online friends in real life sometime!