Our Maker Life

About Our Maker Life

Welcome to OML
we're so glad you're here.

We believe in the power of showing up in person. In a world full of feeds, followers, and screens, Our Maker Life loves to be apart of creating something different by hosting IRL meetups and social events in majorly cool cities. When you're at OML, you can put the phone down, lean into the craft, and actually meet the people behind the handles. Whether you knit as a hobby or you're building a fiber business, there's something that happens when you're in the same room with your people that online spaces just can't replicate in the same way. That's what OML is about. That's what it's always been about. Ten years ago we started meeting up as knitters, crocheters, indie dyers, content creators, and influencers in person because we believed this: that real connection changes things. And we believe 100% that it still does.

Meet the Founder

I'm a maker that totally understands Our Maker Life.

Jewell Washington · Founder, OML and Northknits

I'm Jewell, a knitter, crocheter, pattern designer, and the founder behind OML and Northknits. I started Our Maker Life because I kept seeing how many of us were silo'd online and that there were barely any maker events, specifically for knitters and crocheters to get the best of both worlds. Because we deserve to talk business and hobby right? We deserve to put our phones down and meetup IRL to stop feeling dragged by an ever changing algorithm right? I was determined in 2016 to take ownership and command how I showed up to my craft and I wanted the same for thousands of us. Still do. I figured back then that we could do things better. We could be a more honest, connected, and authentic community and industry. We showed the world that we could. What started as a small gathering in New York City has become something I'm genuinely proud of — it's changed my maker life and more than 100K others' too. There have been OML socials in cities across North America, an IRL community of makers who show up as ourselves determined to embrace the best of yarn and humanity. The beauty of business and social networking. The power of vision and hard work — and success from it all. And don't we deserve that? We totally deserve that. 🧶 🎤

Thank you for being here and a part of the OML story. I look forward to meeting you at our next event.

northknits.online @northknits

OML FACTS

Event FAQ

OML is not a large formal conference. It's an IRL social event and gathering that is a mix between a half day business offsite event and a really good yarn knit brunch (our events are daytime, not night). Think business networking, maker community, and genuine connection all in one. Some events have keynotes or panels, others are more about showing up, enjoying the craft, and having real conversations with your people in a cool space. It's the best of both worlds.

OML is a social event brand for makers by makers. We love online (follow us on IG @ourmakerlife) but our secret sauce is focusing on real community, business networking, and social connection in equal measure including and beyond the craft. This isn't a stagnant virtual membership or directory, it's a place for realness, period. You'll leave with new friends, new ideas, and a renewed sense of why you started making in the knit and crochet industry in the first place.

OML is for knitters, crocheters, indie dyers, pattern designers, content creators, and anyone who loves fiber craft, whether it's your hobby or your business. But more specifically, OML is for the maker who is tired of showing up solely online and still feeling siloed. The one who is burnt out from an algorithm that never stops changing. The solopreneur who wants to take real ownership and command of where their creative business is going. The hobbyist who just wants to find their people in real life and actually develop authentic relationships beyond a comment section. OML is a connector. If you're a brand looking to meet designers and creators, we're your room. If you're a maker looking for friends who just get it, we're your room. If you're a content creator trying to level up, we're your room. If you just need a space to speak your truth and be seen as a maker, you belong here. We want to connect the flow of this industry because this is a brand for us by us.

Good people, great energy, and real conversations. OML events typically include social mixers, community panels, and plenty of time to connect with fellow makers. But beyond the schedule, here is what you can really expect. You can expect to feel renewed in your craft, especially if you have been feeling burnt out from only existing online. You can expect to leave feeling like a different, more energized version of yourself. You can expect to grow your business. If you are looking to scale, figure out how to become more financially profitable in this space, or simply find your footing as a solopreneur, OML is a great place for that. You can expect to meet brands. You can expect to meet fellow makers who truly understand the good, the bad, the ups and the downs of what it means to live and work in the knit, crochet, and fiber industry. We get it because we live it too.

Our events range in size depending on the city and the vision for that year. Our New York City event hosted about 40 makers. Our Calgary, Canada event brought together nearly 200 makers. For OML Chicago 2026 we are keeping it intentionally intimate at just 30 spots. We want every maker in the room to actually connect, not just be in the same building as each other. Small but mighty.

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at hello@ourmakerlife.org to learn about vendor and sponsorship opportunities for OML Chicago 2026.

OML Chicago, September 2026. We are still finalizing the venue but we found a really cute meetup spot right here in the city and we cannot wait to share it. In the meantime, reserve your spot below.

Reserve my spot →
Seats are limited to 30 makers so get your ticket early!

Monthly maker news 💌

OML Newsletter

Stay in the loop on what's happening in the industry, get event updates, and get a shoutout in our community spotlight. We cover what's trending in knit and crochet, maker business tips, and everything OML. Think of it as your monthly check-in from a fellow maker who actually gets it.

We're here for the making, unsubscribe anytime

Live maker chats every week!

Join the OML
Community.

Our Slack is where OML lives between events. Join weekly live calls with fellow makers, introduce yourself, share WIPs, and get early access to OML socials and events. No algorithm. Just makers showing up for each other.

Free to join. Just bring your yarn.