August 2026 - Jennifer Berg aka The Native Knitter
August's Beanie Brigade is a celebration of story, connection, with a splash of citrus. This month's featured pattern is Shik'is Headband by Jennifer Berg | Native Knitter, paired with a Highland DK, a wonderfully balanced wool that is soft, springy, and full of character. Members will receive two 50g skeins and a coordinating mini, giving you everything you need to bring Jennifer's beautiful colorwork motif to life. The DK-weight yarn creates a cozy fabric with beautiful stitch definition, making every strand of colorwork crisp and inviting.
The featured colorway, August Squeeze, captures the warmth of late summer. Soft minty green, buttery lemon, and warm peach come together in a palette that feels effortlessly fresh and uplifting. Inspired by citrus groves, sparkling summer drinks, and golden afternoons, the colors dance beautifully across Shik'is striking geometric motif. Named from the Navajo word for "my friend," Shik'is Headband was designed as a heartfelt gift, weaving together Jennifer's Navajo heritage, her love of storytelling, and a reminder that the most meaningful projects are often the ones we create for those we cherish most.
Jennifer Berg ~ Beanie Brigade Blog Interview Q's
Q1. Hello Jennifer! For friends who may be discovering your incredible work, can you tell us a little about yourself and what first drew you to knitting and designing? And for those who know you very well, what keeps you going. . .
A1. Yá'át'ééh from Albuquerque, New Mexico! I'm a Navajo knitwear designer whose work is deeply inspired by my upbringing in my family's Navajo jewelry and arts store, Chee's Indian Store. I grew up just 100 yards behind the store on the Navajo Nation, surrounded every day by Native art, textiles, and craftsmanship that continue to shape my creative vision.
I learned to knit about 12 years ago, and when I discovered colorwork, I knew I wanted to design knitwear that celebrated and reflected my Navajo culture. Every pattern I create is rooted in storytelling and tradition, allowing me to share the beauty of my heritage with knitters around the world. It is my hope to continue honoring and preserving my culture through every design I create.
Q2. The Shik'is Headband has such a striking motif. Can you share the story or inspiration behind this design?
A2. I created the Shik'is Collection as a set of coordinating pieces that could be made and gifted to friends. Shik'is means "my friend" in Navajo, and I wanted the collection to reflect the thoughtfulness and connection that comes with making something by hand for someone you care about. The motif on the headband is inspired by the sacred mountains that surround the Navajo Nation. It also includes a small personal nod to my married name, Berg, which means "mountain" in Norwegian. I loved weaving together both parts of my story into a single design.
Q3. When you're beginning a new design, what usually comes first: a stitch pattern, a color palette, a story, or something else entirely?
The story always comes first. Before I begin designing, I spend time thinking about the meaning behind the piece and the symbols I want to incorporate. Once that foundation is in place, I choose the colors and then dive into the technical side of the design—charting the motifs, figuring out construction, and working out the measurements.
Q4. Storytelling is such a beautiful thread throughout your work. Are there personal experiences, traditions, or connections that inspire the way you approach design, that you wouldn’t mind sharing?
A4. I love weaving my own experiences and culture into my work. Much of my inspiration comes from my upbringing, the love I have for my grandmother, and the land I wandered as a child. I feel a deep connection to a sense of place, and for me, that place is the desert of Dinétah—our Navajo homeland. Those memories and landscapes continue to shape the stories I tell through my knitting.
Q5. Colorwork can feel intimidating to newer knitters. Do you have any advice or encouragement for someone casting on their very first stranded knitting project?
A5. I felt exactly the same way when I knit my first colorwork project. My biggest piece of advice is to give yourself permission to feel a little clumsy at first. Holding two strands of yarn can feel awkward, but once that skill clicks, colorwork becomes surprisingly rhythmic, and the repetition can be incredibly meditative. I also recommend knitting with a slightly looser tension. When we're learning something new, we naturally tense up, so try to relax your shoulders, your hands, and your grip on the yarn. Be patient with yourself—the confidence and speed will come with practice.
Q6. What's one small ritual or habit that helps you slow down and reconnect with yourself?
A6. When I'm feeling disconnected, I like to wake up early and spend a few quiet moments sitting in the morning light. Feeling the warmth of the sun helps me slow down, reconnect, and ground myself before the day begins. This is also a Navajo ritual of facing East to prepare for the day.
Q7. Our Beanie Brigade community loves hearing about the person behind the patterns. What are you currently finding joy in, whether it's a craft, a good book, being outdoors, or something completely unrelated to knitting?
A7. This is a bit personal, but I love rock climbing, being outdoors, and moving my body. About four months ago, I fell and broke my ankle in three places. The recovery has given me a whole new appreciation for movement. Being able to walk again and slowly chase my kids has brought me so much joy. I realized how much I had taken my mobility for granted, and it's something I'll never overlook again. These days, I'm simply grateful for a walk with my family.
Q8. Looking ahead, what exciting projects, dreams, or creative adventures are on the horizon that you'd like to share with our community?
A8. Just between us, I'm currently working on my very first knitting book with the wonderful team at Laine Publishing. It's truly a dream project, and I couldn't be more excited. I can't wait to share it with everyone when it's released late next year!
Q9. What advice would you give to someone who wants to embrace their own creative voice but is afraid of putting their work out into the world?
A9. Creating art is an incredibly vulnerable experience. I've learned that art is also deeply subjective—some people will absolutely connect with your work and love it, while others may not understand it at all. And that's okay. The most important thing is creating something that feels true to you. If you love what you've made, that's what really matters at the end of the day.
Q10. If you could wrap every Beanie Brigade member in one feeling this season, what would you hope they carry with them each time they wear your headband?
A10. If I could wrap every Beanie Brigade member in one feeling this season, it would be gentleness. I hope each time they wear this headband, they're reminded to be gentle with themselves. Life is beautiful, but it can also be complicated, painful, and change in an instant. We often offer so much grace to the people we love while forgetting to extend that same kindness to ourselves. I hope this piece serves as a quiet reminder to move through life with compassion—for others, and for yourself.
Q11. If you could sit and knit with anyone, past or present, who would you invite and why?
A11. Can I choose the future? I would love to sit and knit with my great-great-grandchildren. I hope that my children and their children continue to carry knitting and crafting forward, but there would be something so special about sharing that time with them myself. I would love to hear their stories, watch their creativity unfold, and know that this tradition has continued through the generations.
Q12. Every designer has a creative spark. What fills your cup and inspires you when you're feeling creatively stuck?
A12. When I’m feeling stuck, I head home to the Rez. Being there instantly reconnects me with who I am and where I come from. There is something grounding about returning to that place, and nothing compares to seeing my grandmother going about her day just as she has my entire life. Those familiar moments remind me of my roots and often bring me back to the heart of my creativity.
Q13. Your work tells beautiful stories. If someone were to knit one of your patterns years from now, what do you hope they feel while making it?
A13. I hope they feel a connection to a culture that is filled with so much beauty, strength, and resilience. I hope they feel the pride that comes from sharing in a culture that has endured, evolved, and carried its stories forward through generations. More than anything, I hope they feel invited into that story and inspired by the beauty of a tradition that continues to live on.
Jennifer's Socials