New Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Knits and Crochets

During her recent confirmation hearings, newly confirmed Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson shared that she learned to knit as a creative outlet and way to relieve stress. As a fellow knitter and crocheter, I instantly felt a fiber connection to Judge Jackson when hearing that news. And I was excited to see footage of her talking about learning to knit making the rounds on social media.

Above: U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill March 23, 2022 in Washington, DC. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Joe Biden’s pick to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer on the U.S. Supreme Court, would become the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court if confirmed. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

It was the same feeling I get when seeing someone knitting or crocheting on a park bench or on a train. It makes me want to say, “Hey! I knit and crochet, too. What are you making?” I like to imagine that Judge Jackson would excitedly smile and say, “oh, this is a shawl from the new issue of Interweave Knits!”  

(Note: Sadly, I cannot confirm that’s actually what she’s working on. I just have an overly active imagination.)

Ask anyone what brought them to working with fiber and you’ll find common themes. Many people say that their parent was a knitter or crocheter and they learned from them. And just as many others say that they were looking for a creative outlet or needed to relieve stress. We all have a fiber backstory.

Relate: 5 Reasons to Teach Your Loved Ones to Stitch

Judge Jackson’s Journey to Craft

From her testimony at the hearing, we learned Judge Jackson’s fiber backstory was a bit of everything. She said that her mother—an expert crocheter—tried to teach her when she was a child, but “that didn’t quite turn out.” As her career progressed, she said, “I started pining for something to do to express my creative side.”

It was more recently that she bought a book on crochet and taught herself to make hats and scarves. Then, when preparing for her confirmation hearings she learned to knit. About knitting, she said “I needed something to keep my mind off of the stress,” before adding, “So, I have a basement full of yarn.”

I hope Judge Jackson shares a photo of her projects and yarn stash with our community. I know there are millions of knitters and crocheters wanting a peek. Until then, I will daydream that she’s got her project bag tucked safely under her bench where it waits to help her through the stressors that come with the important role she is taking on.

-Kerry Bogert
Content Manager, Yarn

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