Meet Brandi Mitchell | Finger Knitter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brandi Mitchell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brandi, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Finger knitting was solely a hobby in the beginning. I loved it for gift giving. I like giving unique and original gifts. I started out with only scarves. Then the pandemic hit and ventured in to the world outside of scarves. As my skill level grew and I expanded into blankets people kept asking and telling me “Do you sell them? You can definitely sell them!” Then I started asking myself “Can I sell them? Should I sell them?” I signed up for my first market in 2021 and from that point on I was just in it to win it!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
So I am a finger knitter. Not a lot of people know about it. So this is how I explain it to people.

Traditional knitting and crocheting involves needles/hooks to manipulate yarn to make beautiful creations. I do the exact same thing but instead of hooks or needles I just use my fingers to make the beautiful creations. That in itself sets me apart from others!

I’m most proud of the growth in my skill level because I never initially set out to grow beyond the blankets. As I learn new patterns I love seeing the possibilities in creating other things. When I learned how to make my beer mugs I thought “Surely this frothy too could be a cupcake!” And cupcake stuffies were born!

I still work a flexible yet demanding full time job that I love dearly. My main struggle is finding the balance to have both and I’m making it work! The biggest lesson I have learned and more so this year than ever is asking for help and accepting help when offered. I’m not Super Woman although I feel like a lot of women , including myself, feel like they have to be. I am one person with 2 hands, that’s it!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Some of the places I’d be sure to take my friends while in HTX would be Fine Arts museum, Washington Ave. graffiti walls and art shops, Blake’s BBQ, and we would most definitely stop by my favorite night market Montrose Marketplace!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many people have contributed to where I am in this journey. First, my family have been my number one cheerleaders and support. I have to shoutout my, my Sister-in- Luv, Zaycha Mitchell. I dabbled in the finger knitting prior to her joining the family. She is a stellar tradition knitter and crocheted so when she found out I knew a little bit about a little of the fiber arts world she pushed me to step up my game. She would send me links and tutorials for stitches and patterns she felt I could do. I would begrudgingly accept the challenges but there were many phone and FaceTime calls to her yelling about how the instructions were just wrong and her laughing and my over the top rants and clarifying or guiding me through MY missteps. Good times!

Secondly I have a a core group of friends that have showed up and showed out for me with things like being a sound board for ideas, providing suggestions and simply helping in all the ways being business decisions, setting up at shows/market, providing their vehicle to help, marketing etc.

I’m truly blessed.

Instagram: @blanketsxb

Facebook: Blankets by B.

Other: Blankets etc. by B at Painted Tree Boutiques @ Cinco Ranch Booth F23 coming February 2023

Image Credits
Erica Mitchell Diggs