A summit to talk craft and the future of fiber.

OML Virtual Summit
January 10, 2026
11:00am - 3:00pm cst
Hosted on Zoom

OML Virtual Summit 2026 connects creativity and community with business and networking for fiber creatives. If you’re a knit or crochet designer, creative entrepreneur, or hobbyist ready to grow, join us for an immersive day that will help and inspire you to think about the past, present, and future of craft while you make. Get expert connection and strategy plus inspiration from designers, influencers, and creators so you gain clarity, confidence, and resources for your maker life.

Full day access pass to:

  • state of the industry address

  • keynote presentations

  • craft business panels

  • mini craft workshops led by expert designers

  • breakouts and networking sessions

  • fiber giveaway

  • ‍optional: early bird curated VIP Maker Box


Check out the summit schedule itinerary

BUY TICKET

MEET THE KEYNOTE:
Amy Small
Knit Collage

Spotlight on Knit Collage
11:30AM – 12:00PM
Keynote Presentation

Amy Small is Founder and Creative Director at Knit Collage, a brand beloved for its colorful, handspun yarns and joyful creative spirit. With a background in textile design, Amy got her start working with powerhouse brands like Anthropologie and Free People, where she honed her eye for texture, storytelling, and aesthetic design. As a business owner, podcast host, and community builder, Amy is passionate about helping others find their creative freedom within the process and finished product.

MEET THE SPEAKERS

Status Check: Size Inclusivity

12:10PM – 1:00PM • Live Panel Discussion

The world of knitting and crochet is evolving, creating space for makers more than ever to feel seen, included, and empowered to craft garments that truly fit their bodies. While the industry has made meaningful strides in size inclusivity over the past few years, there’s still important work to be done. This panel brings together leading voices in size inclusivity across knitting and crochet to discuss where we are now, what progress still needs to happen, and how we can continue to move the needle forward together.

Autumn Goodman
Size Inclusive Collective
Founder

Mere Conatti
Fat Test Knits
Founder

Aimee Sher
Aimee Sher Makes
Owner and Knitting Designer

Lorenette Haynes
Berrocco
Former Creative Director

Website↗
Instagram↗

Crochet’s New Cache

1:30PM – 2:00PM • Live Panel Discussion

Crochet is having a major moment; appearing on runways, in our favorite magazines, and filling bookstore shelves with beautiful new titles. But are crocheters truly feeling more seen and included? Is the growing spotlight on crochet helping to expand interest, or are there still better ways to elevate and showcase this craft? It’s crochet’s time to shine and we’re thrilled to welcome a panel of talented designers and artists to discuss the craft’s rising popularity and the exciting future ahead.

Toni Lipsey
TL Yarn Crafts, Founder
Crochet Designer &
Community Organizer

Hailey Bailey
Made by Hailey Bailey, Founder
Crochet Designer & Yarn Dyer

Brittany Garber
Knotbadbritt, Founder
Crochet Designer &
Community Organizer

Shay Johnson
Knit and CroShay, Founder
Knit & Crochet Designer

Alyson Chu
Moorit Magazine, Founder
Crochet Designer & Podcaster

MEET THE TEACHERS

Learn to Crochet a Granny Square

2:00PM – 2:30PM • Live Mini Workshop
Hailey Bailey, Crochet Designer & Yarn Dyer

Discover the timeless charm of the granny square in this hands-on crochet workshop. Hailey Bailey, the crochet pattern designer and indie yarn dyer of Made by Hailey Bailey, will guide you through each stitch, sharing techniques to help you create with confidence. This is great both for beginners and makers looking to refresh their skills and indulge in color, a bit of texture, and a modern but classic style.

Hailey Bailey
Made by Hailey Bailey, Founder
Crochet Designer & Yarn Dyer

Learn to Crochet a Tunisian Swatch

2:00PM – 2:30PM • Live Mini Workshop
Brittany Garber, Crochet Designer & Community Organizer

Explore stunning stitch beauty and level up your crochet skills in this interactive Tunisian crochet workshop. Brittany Garber, the innovative crochet and Tunisian crochet designer of KnotBadBritt, will walk you through the basics of creating a textured swatch and help you create the foundation point that will lead to crocheting sophisticated, modern & wearable pieces.

Learn about Modern Social Media Marketing

1:00PM – 1:30PM • Live Strategy Presentation
Katie Liza, Founder, Knit Designer, and Social Media Influencer, Knit Life Oils

Social media continues to shape how we create, connect, and share and the fiber industry is evolving right along with it. Katie Liza will lead this session to show us a closer look at how digital platforms influence our community, our creativity, and the way we grow as makers, designers, and brands. Makers will explore both modern and foundational marketing strategies; from mastering new trends and tools to returning to timeless principles like content batching, community building, and cultivating an authentic voice. Together, we’ll discuss the real pros and cons of social media in the fiber arts: visibility, opportunity, pressure, and burnout. Whether you’re just starting to build your presence or refining an existing brand, this walkthrough will help you learn more a more confident and balanced approach to marketing in the modern maker world.

Brittany Garber
Knotbadbritt, Founder
Crochet Designer & Community Organizer

Katie Liza
Knit Life Oils, Founder
Knit Designer & Social Media Influencer

MEET THE SUMMIT HOSTS

OML State of the Industry Address
Future of Fiber
11:00AM – 11:10PM  • Kickoff Presentation

Hannah Thiessen Howard Founder, Slow Knitting &
Craeft

Welcome to OML
About the movement for makers by makers
11:10AM – 11:20 AM  • Kickoff Presentation

Event Sponsors

Thank you to our OML Virtual Summit 2026 sponsors!

Interested in sponsoring Our Maker Life?
Email us at hello@ourmakerlife.org