Sydney Craft Shop Caught in Vitriolic Online Campaign

Members of the knitting community have been labeled as 'racist' by people who claim to have been ignored in yarn shops. They also stressed of feeling uncomfortable in 'white-majority knitting groups'. The dispute began over he treatment of black, indigenous and people of colour (BIPoC) in the knitting community and this was followed by allegations of lying, bullying and harassment have gone back and forth on social media.

A spinner and weaver, Sukrita Mahon, from the NSW Central Coast, has played a significant role in the campaign to highlight and combat racism and prejudice among knitters. In January, Mahon wrote that Sydney has a problem. "Your knitting spaces are unsafe for bipoc (and probably others). You have shown yourself unwilling to listen, at best." She was referring to the times she felt uncomfortable in their shop.

Mahon's Instagram story Racist Knitters highlights experiences of racism such as being ignored or followed in a yarn store when other patrons were not, and being mistaken for another person. Cynthia Mulholland, the president of Knitters' Guild NSW said her organization welcomed anyone who shared a passion for knitting and crochet. "I think there is racism everywhere, however it is up to groups like the Knitters Guild to welcome everyone into a comfortable environment," she said.