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About Swanky Emu Makes

I’m Sarah, a happily queer, unapologetically fat, vintage-loving, goofy, process knitter. I first learned knitting, embroidery, and sewing skills as a child and have never lost my enthusiasm for handmade things. My absolute favorite is the combination of the practical and the beautiful.

I currently live in Nashville, Tennessee with my wife and our spoiled cats. I design self-customizing size-inclusive patterns with absolutely no upper or lower size limits. Each pattern comes with an accompanying spreadsheet that automatically creates a custom-sized pattern based on a few of your unique body measurements.

I also teach other fiber designers how to translate their own garment designs into this format rather than traditional grading.

Swanky Emu Makes design philosophy


I’ve had to significantly modify every single garment I’ve ever knitted for myself. I know plenty of people who look like me, but my body is larger or differently proportioned than most garment patterns seem to call for.

I create size-inclusive instructions to ensure my patterns work effortlessly for absolutely every body size and shape, no matter what. No need to learn pattern grading to knit a perfectly-fitting garment every time.

I build this into the framework of the design rather than add it later.

Everyone deserves to wear something that is both tailored to their shape and that makes them look and feel amazing.

Episode #30 - Sarah from Swanky Emu Knits

“[Mitchell’s] spreadsheet sizing doesn’t force knitters to explain why they deserve to wear her sweaters; a person’s measurements are just a set of numbers.”

Episode #36 of Make Good Podcast

Tech Tip Talks - August 16, 2022

Meet the rest of the Swanky Emu Makes team!

Full Time Staff

Simon

Director of Blocking and Finishing

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Pippin

Studio Manager

Alice

Operations Coordinator

Interns and Former Staff

Margot

Chief Business Officer
May 5, 2007 - May 7, 2023 ♥️

Bruce

Former intern, current chief people officer in
St. Louis, MO

Michael

Head of Security
May 5, 2007 - September 10, 2022 ♥️

Taco

Former intern, current artist in residence in Braddock, PA

Teddy

Former machine knitting intern, currently managing a large team in Nashville, TN

Olive

Former intern, current child care team lead in Chicago, IL