The Knit Stars-Autism Controversy as Explained by an Autistic Knitter
When I first found Knit Stars and Shelley Brander I was so excited because here was this successful yarnie, business owner with an Autistic son. She must be inclusive! I want to learn from her! Then, my face dropped, and my heart sank when I read some of the things she said about autism.
I am an Autistic knitter, crochet pattern designer, and the creator of NeuroStitches, an online community connecting neurodivergent folks through fiber arts. I will summarize Shelley Brander’s views on autism as expressed in her book, her TEDx Talk, and in a podcast. Next, I will explain why the continued silence is a problem and hurts Autistic people. Finally, I recommend how we can move forward together.
Who is Shelley Brander and What is Knit Stars?
Shelley Brander is the creator of Knit Stars, a “documentary masterclass” about the most popular makers in the fiber arts industry. Before Knit Stars, Shelley owned a Local Yarn Shop (LYS) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that since closed. In 2021, Shelley published a book, Move The Needle: Yarns from an Unlikely Entrepreneur, to explain how she managed to “make a seven-figure business out of yarn.” In Move The Needle, Shelley discussed autism a lot, despite being a business book. Shelley credits her son’s autism diagnosis for opening up a well of energy in her that allowed her to open her yarn shop.
Shelley introduced her book with a list of things she’s been told she can’t do then stated how she overcame the list throughout the book: “You can’t go to the store with me. You can’t be a creative director as a woman. You can’t cure autism. You can’t make a living in yarn.”
Empathy is the theme of Shelley’s book. She stated that empathy “is the most important, bedrock principle underlying the brand and global movement” that she leads. She also touched on this in her TEDx talk where she claimed she built inclusive communities and emphasized that knitting creates a safe place to have difficult conversations.
In Move The Needle, Shelley explained her yarn shop “held space for so many respectful and even transformative conversations around really tough topics like race, religion, LGBTQ rights, gun laws, and end-of-life issues. These couch conversations can lead directly to true understanding and lasting, positive change.”
Shelley espoused self-described, “fringe” medical advice from online “Mom” forums. In one example, Shelley claimed that “after less than 24 hours of a dairy-free diet,” her Autistic son slept through the night and “developed normally” from that point through the first year. Shelley also touted that her Autistic son endured 40 hours per week of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy at 18 months old. In addition to going dairy-free, Shelley encouraged diet treatments for autism including casein-free and gluten-free. Shelley also blamed her son’s partial speech loss on his 12-month immunizations, credited a successful social interaction on the playground to starting an antifungal treatment, and explained she “convinced” an unnamed doctor about her diet treatments.*
In promoting her book, Shelley also appeared on a podcast called, “Turn Autism Around” with host, Dr. Mary Barbera. According to Dr. Barbera’s LinkedIn profile, she has a PhD in Corporate Leadership, and is a self-proclaimed, “Autism Mom” on her website. During the podcast when discussing how people assume her Autistic son is “normal,” Shelley lamented, “it’s almost harder because he presents as so typical.” Dr. Barbera also described meeting Shelley’s Autistic son with surprise, “[w]hen I met him, he looked great, completely conversational and completely appropriate.” The two also joked about how it probably isn’t advisable anymore for ABA treatments to use m&m’s.
The Problem
As we learn and grow, our opinions and views change. However, these statements were in 2021 and 2022, not 1997. She also stated that it is “fashionable to have an [A]utistic character in every TV series, book, and movie.” In 2025, that’s news to me. The only time I see Autistic people on screen is when neurotypical people use our social struggles with dating as entertainment, or when RFK Jr. claims we destroy our families.
I don’t fault Shelley for the views she had back in the 90’s. Far less information existed to help both Autistic people and their families. Many parents tried their best. Refusal to publicly acknowledge these views as incorrect and harmful is the problem.
Shelley is aware of the feelings about her views and statements on autism but remains publicly silent. Former and current Knit Stars confirmed they had one-on-one meetings with Shelley where Shelley assured them that her views on autism changed over time as she learned more. Shelley relayed to them that the language she used in her book stemmed from when her son was diagnosed over 25 years ago.
However, her book was not published 25 years ago. The book originally published in 2021, a second edition published in 2022, and the podcast aired in 2021. If she believes what she says behind closed doors, why not say it publicly? It feels disingenuous.
Shelley claims in her book that empathy is the bedrock principle underlying her brand. Additionally, in her TEDx talk, she discussed how knitting and crochet create safe spaces to discuss difficult topics. It seems hypocritical that Shelley refuses to have these conversations now and does not practice what she preaches.
We should give people grace and the opportunity to learn, grow, and correct past mistakes. I humbly ask this of others when judging me. Shelley and Knit Stars have that opportunity right now. The continued silence sends a message that Shelley believes those things, stands by what she said in the past, and does not think it worthy to publicly address. She privately reassured people who affect her business, the Knit Stars. Silence from current and former Knit Stars seems much like complicit silence.
What I want to see from Shelley and Knit Stars:
A public statement and retraction about Shelley’s claims in her book and comments made in the past about autism;
Stop reprinting her book; and,
Use her platform to bolster and feature Autistic creators. So many talented Autistic people are in the fiber arts industry!
Autistic people need support now more than ever. About 80-85% of Autistic adults are either unemployed or underemployed. Many Autistic people are forced to be self-employed due to workplace discrimination, or not being “disabled enough” to qualify for disability benefits. RFK Jr. spreads fear lies, misinformation, and stereotypes about Autistic people. We need allies and support. The fiber arts industry has so many extremely talented Autistic creators. Some of my favorite yarn dyers are Autistic.
I call on Shelley and Knit Stars to speak publicly and take actions to actually help Autistic fiber artists. I also ask you to support Autistic creators. On my website, NeuroStitches, I started an Autistic-Owned Business Directory with links to Autistic-owned businesses in, or related to, the fiber arts industry. If you’re unable to purchase a skein of yarn or a pattern from an Autistic maker, then support us for free by following us on social media and like and share our posts. Please consider checking it out and supporting Autistic makers.
Sources
*For brevity, I did not explain why each issue is problematic. I encourage you to research this topic from current sources and form your own opinions. I recommend starting with the studies Senator Bernie Sanders entered into the Congressional Record during RFK Jr’s confirmation hearing on January 30, 2025; here is the link at page 364: https://www.congress.gov/event/119th-congress/senate-event/LC74210/text
According to the Mayo Clinic, there is “no evidence that special diets are an effective treatment for autism spectrum disorder.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352934
Brander, Shelley, Move The Needle: Yarns from an Unlikely Entrepreneur, Hay House, Inc (2021)
Shelley Brander, TEDx Talk from June 21, 2021: https://youtu.be/xULj7bDYXp8?si=gqK6nG4JgRASwchH
Dr. Mary Barbera & Shelley Brander, “Turn Autism Around Podcast” (January 12, 2021): https://youtu.be/cs6_2K_pBO4?si=IqvTcq9TpOhTU0Eg