Knitting as Mindful Transformation
About the Practice of Fibre
Mindful Making for a Meaningful Life
The Practice of Fibre celebrates knitting as mindful transformation—a way to nurture mental wellbeing, cultural and community connection, and personal growth through every stitch.
My designs blend contemporary minimalism with Toi Māori influences, offering intentionally crafted patterns that serve as both functional tools and meditative practices. Clear instructions, textured stitches, and vibrant colour become vessels for present-moment awareness, helping makers cultivate resilience amidst modern life's challenges.
In the spirit of reciprocity and abundance, I release patterns under Creative Commons licenses, inviting community and skill sharing, adaptation and distribution for mutual aid. Together, we honor knitting's power to knit together both yarn and meaning into our lives.
Transformational Knitting Patterns
for Mindful Makers
My work as a knitwear designer celebrates the transformational impact of mindful making in managing challenges like mental health, identity, community building, and personal development. Drawing from my Māori heritage and experiences in the diaspora, I blend this ancestral knowledge with mindfulness techniques to create knitting patterns and other offerings that encourage present-moment awareness.
By experimenting with stitch patterns, textures, and vibrant colors, my minimalist and contemporary designs carry a touch of cultural richness and offer functionality and beauty. The clear, thoughtfully written patterns I create are practical tools for cultivating resilience in the face of modern challenges.
In the spirit of the gift economy, free patterns on my blog are covered by Creative Commons licenses, allowing makers to publish remixes publicly, such as rewriting instructions for new constructions, or to distribute the original pattern instructions for use in free workshops and community classes (commercial licenses are also available).
Let's harness the transformative power of knitting together!
Patterns Designed for Your Creative Practice
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Challenging and bold
Ready to stretch your skills? Dive into a design that keeps you on your toes and leaves you with something stunning to show for it. It’s the perfect mix of focus and creativity.
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Warm and thoughtful
Sometimes, you just want to knit something that feels like a warm hug. These projects are full of intention, perfect for gifting or making something truly special for yourself.
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Quiet and grounding
Looking to slow down? These simple, calming patterns let you enjoy the rhythm of knitting, helping you find a little peace in the process.
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Creative and whimsical
Let your imagination run wild! These playful designs are all about having fun with color and yarn, giving you the chance to make something totally unique.
The Story behind the Stitches
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The Story behind the Stitches *
Hi there! I'm Françoise, the founder of The Practice of Fibre. By day, I work as Head of Operations and Chief of Staff for an e-commerce start-up, and by night, I am a knitwear designer and small business owner.
My story starts in Sydney, Australia. I was the oldest of my siblings (one younger sister and one younger brother), born to a French dad and a Māori mum.
At 6, we migrated to the United States for my dad's work. He was a computer engineer who gave me a love for coding and tech; unfortunately, though, I did not inherit his mind for math.
An interesting mix of family, blending Mormon*, French, Australian (and at times, American) cultural traditions, and even living in France for a couple of years in high school, I grew up not knowing much about my Māori heritage.
*no longer practicing, currently practice Buddhism
My knitting journey and my cultural connection journey happened at the same time when I lived in Japan (2013 - 2020). The karanga called me to learn about my Māori heritage, and people used knitting and reflections as the medium to record this journey, formerly under my previous brand name, Aroha Knits.
During the pandemic, my ex-husband and I returned to the States, where life presented me with struggles and challenges. I had to learn how to build resilience and personal strength and deconstruct capitalist and colonial views in order to survive.
Grace to the power of making and craft, community, and access to resources and support, I can better set the foundations to go from surviving to thriving today.
Transform your yarn,
Françoise (Aroha)
FEATURED IN:
Knit Stars
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amirisu
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Making Stories
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Vogue Knitting Live
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Knit Picks
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tinyStudio
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awa wahine
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Knit Stars • amirisu • Making Stories • Vogue Knitting Live • Knit Picks • tinyStudio • awa wahine •
Knit Stars Masterclass:
Season 5 Introduction Video, 2020
Book Features:
Interviewed as a guest and design expert in Peggy Orenstein’s book, Unraveling.
Wrote the introduction for The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook by Kristina McGrath and former student Sarah Walworth.