If you’ve recently signed up for KnitFreedom, you’re just getting to know me (Liat Gat) and the kinds of video tips KnitFreedom has to offer. I’d like to tell you more about me so you can know who the heck is sending you emails and why!
I started KnitFreedom in 2010 as a way to bring my sold-out knitting classes to a wider audience.
The inspiration came when one day I had to stand on the table to teach an over-booked class of 20 knitters how to do Magic Loop.
I thought, “If I could just get a video camera on my hands, I could make them the size of a Jumbotron and the whole world could see how to do these techniques!”
I didn’t look like that (above) in 2010, though. I looked like this and was obsessed with knitting and everything having to do with knitting.
I lived and breathed knitting and considered it a successful day when I was wearing 6+ items of hand-knit clothing at once (good thing I lived in freezing cold Bozeman, Montana!).
I had learned to knit after high school, but rekindled my passion for knitting while getting my life back on track at an eating disorder clinic in Utah.
While doing the easy patterns suggested by the craft hour teacher, I found myself helping the other girls fix mistakes and find easier ways to cast on and bind off.
I discovered a talent and excitement for knitting and for helping others see how easy it is to knit successfully too.
It wasn’t long after that that I was back on my feet, working at my local yarn store and teaching my favorite techniques like Magic Loop and Toe-Up, Two-at-a-Time Socks.
I credit knitting with saving my life, as it was the instigator for getting me out of treatment and connecting me with a pure and positive outlet for recovery.
After hearing from hundreds of knitters the positive impact knitting has had on their lives, I even went on a national TV tour to share how knitting can save your life.
Now that you know a little bit more about me, I hope you’ll look forward to getting my emails in your inbox as I have so many great tips to send you that took me years of trial and error to learn!
Leave a Comment
What’s YOUR backstory? How did you get into knitting? Does knitting rescue/save you in some way? Leave a comment and let me know!
12 thoughts on “My Backstory – How I Got Started As a Video Knitting Instructor”
Your story is really inspiring!
I love knitting and have been knitting about 7 years but am timid about progressing! I’ve finished countless baby hats, done some fairisle patterns, a few socks and made 2 sweaters. But – when I goof up I tend to just rip stuff out because I don’t have access to help all the time. I think I’m going to sign up for your program!
Hi Annie,
It’s so great to meet you! I’m sorry for the delay in responding. I’ve been traveling with my 2 young kids. I am so delighted that you’ve joined our program. You can learn SO much from your mistakes, so I’m glad you are recognizing that you are missing out on important learning by just ripping out.
Reach out to me next time you make a mistake, and we’ll make the most of it! Here’s a knitting quote I like to remind people of: https://pin.it/1wKIHd2
Cheers and welcome aboard,
Liat
Hey, I signed up for getting you in my inbox in the first place – glad to meet you!
Lovely to hear your story on finding a way to health through knitting <3
I feel like an amateur – been knitting for 12 years. My girlfriend in college taught me and it stuck. I'm starting my first pair of socks via your "socks by the numbers" tutorial and I'm wicked excited about it!
I'm a health coach and nutritionist, with a heavy focus on chronic pain and mental wellbeing.
Working and creating with your body can lead to finding a true road to health, even if the work is on your own body/habits/routine/lifestyle.
When I am kitting (or crocheting or sewing or making maple syrup with my husband or gardening with my almost 3 year old daughter) I can focus on what's most important to me/us: the PRESENT! For it is just that, a gift :) Let the past be, prep for the future and realize it is unknown, and live in the Present and be that gift, to yourself and those you love.
Thanks for the inspiration and being oh, so darn relatable ;)
Catch you in my inbox, Jillian
Such thoughtful words Jillian :) I’m so glad KnitFreedom could help you start on your sock journey. Thanks for sharing and what a darling picture of your kiddo in a hat!
I learned to knit from a 35¢ Coats and Clark booklet about 50 years ago. Since retirement I’m really into it. Any help I got was from books or youtube. The latest passion is socks, after 5 Christmas stockings. It’s a time filler that’s productive. My other passion is teaching Bible class or anything related. My family gets annoyed when I show them mistakes but I call them hugs.
That’s wonderful Lammi! I love that even after 50 years in the craft, you still find new resources to learn from. Have fun making your socks, we’re big fans of socks here at KnitFreedom :)
I found Liat not long after she started KnitFreedom and I was hooked, with the line and sinker! I was commuting 3 hours a day and needed to do something other than reading – I wanted my time to be productive (I wasn’t driving, I was taking a train). I joined KnitFreedom, purchased some videos, and I was off!!! I started making anything (scarves, mittens, socks, sweaters, hats, did I say socks!). I enjoyed it so much that it got to the point where my extended family had PLENTY of socks and told me not to make anymore!!!! Because of KnitFreedom I went from a novice knitter to one that believes I can knit just about anything (I’m not perfect, I have limitations). I find myself going back to the videos to refresh my memory if I haven’t knitted in a while, but my greatest lesson was learning how to knit continental. Liat makes it look so easy that I just HAD to do it! I love what Liat created, I love her generous spirit to share her talents with others, and I’m looking forward to the new adventures! I will add that I have told so many people about KnitFreedom, even strangers in the craft store yarn aisle, or my local yarn store (before COVID). I have found KnitFreedom so helpful for me that I want to share it with others.
Karen,
I am so delighted that you came here and commented, I’ve been missing you! You were such a great contributor in our forum when KnitFreedom was first getting started.
I love how you put this: “Because of KnitFreedom I went from a novice knitter to one that believes I can knit just about anything.” That is our definition of Knitting Superstardom!
I feel so confident that we are about to take you on more knitting adventures, after a long break over here. I am putting the wheels in motion to start to be able to make many more video classes, at long last.
Thank you for sharing with people about KnitFreedom!! I can just imagine you in the craft aisle. Wow, that just warms my heart.
I love you, girl!!!
Liat
Hi, Liat! I have a comment and a question…NO ONE on the entire internet is as good as you for sheer clarity of demonstration and clarity of vision, going slow enough and close enough
for people to be able to see the technique you are teaching. You are also queen of YouTube knitters!! Anyway, can you tell me the camera that you use to hang on your neck, as I have a YouTuber friend who does ASMR videos and needs a closeup camera like that, but I don’t know how to acquire such stuff, and neither does she. Thanks and i look forward to seeing the slipper class! Hugs and stay safe,
Lisa M.
Hi Lisa,
It’s so great to hear from you! Thank you for your sweet words.
Yes, the camera I use (I actually don’t hang it around my neck, I put it on a tripod between me and my hands) is great for close-up video. It has an LCD screen that opens so you can see how the video looks while you are filming. It is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200. I’m sure you can get them used by now at a VERY reasonable price. It’s a great choice for close-up video work because it can focus even when the item is so close as to almost be touching the lens.
I hope this helps!
Big hugs to you,
Liat
Hi Liat,
In about 1987 Alma, my neighbour taught me how to knit, I put it away for years and then in
1998 I was diagnosed with dystonia and was pretty much bed ridden for 3 years. The meds I was on were extreme and caused my memory and concentration to go kaput, so I got some lace knitting books, joined Audible and forced myself to concentrate and learn how to read patterns while I listened to audio books. I still listen while I knit and still make myself learn new things, the latest is double knitting, next up is fair isle :) Your classes were the first I encountered and I have learned much from you, you are appreciated.
Be Blessed.
Deb Davenport
Wow, Deb, your comment left me awestruck! Thank you for sharing this. That sounds so relaxing, to be able to knit while listening to audiobooks. Thank you for taking the time to tell us your story, it’s amazing.
Big hugs,
Liat