People of color have been knitting for generations, but have often had trouble reaching the prominence of some of their white counterparts. One yarn dyer in the Hudson Valley is working to change that by paying tribute to pioneers who came before her.

There’s a long history of African Americans in the performing arts, but when it comes to the fiber arts, it’s hard to come by. 

Robin Guy’s love of knitting started with her mom, Terri Childress-Carter, and was born out of necessity after she exhausted her mother with requests for several long scarfs.

So Childress-Carter taught her how to knit. In fact, they come from a family of fiber artists.

"My mother used to knit a long time ago," Childress-Carter said. "I can remember her making a stocking."

"Poppy was telling me because he was in the Navy, he knew how to mend socks," Guy said.

But when it comes to finding well-known pattern makers, knitters and yarn dyers, at first, it was difficult to find other creators of color. It was only after intentionally searching them out did Guy discover the community.

"To highlight makers of color with dignity and respect and not tokenism is really important," said Guy, owner of Birch Hollow Fibers. "Not like, 'Oh, OK, this will look good for us, but we value you. We want to hear you."

An example of that history is a picture of abolitionist Sojourner Truth with her knitting supplies, and more recently, a viral picture of former first lady Michelle Obama knitting.

Guy is making her mark as a yarn dyer and owner of Birch Hollow Fibers. As she teaches her craft, it becomes apparent she is equal parts scientist, artist and historian who creates beautiful yarn colors with names that pay tribute to her favorite writers who are also women of color.

"Sojourner is named after Sojourner Truth," Guy said. "Felicity is named after Phillis Wheatley. My worsted weight is Octavia, named after Octavia Butler."

She said it makes her feel good.

"Because sometimes I'll have an idea and I'll be like, 'I've been wanting to do this for this kind of dive,' and it feels good to see what I pictured in my head actually come to fruition," Guy said. "It's really very relaxing to me. I'm actually like having such a great time."

Guy puts love, attention and detail in her work. It’s her dedication that has gained a reputation of excellence at shops featuring her fibers.

One retailer singing Guy’s praises is Jocelyn Songco, owner of Yarn Farm in Kingston.

"And I think what is really important and fantastic about having a bricks-and-mortar yarn shop is the opportunity to draw attention to people who might otherwise not get their appropriate level of attention," Songco said. "The fiber arts is attractive to many, to a diverse community."

And it’s that diverse community that Guy not only represents, but also hopes to inspire.

"There's such a deep history in fiber-making, in general, that Black people have fostered, and I think it's often left out," Guy said. "We're allowed to take up space, and if you don't want to sit at a table, there are people out there that are building their own tables."

If you’d like to have some of your own yarn, contact Robin at Birchhollowfibers.com.