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maci!

@maci.knits

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part-time hobbyist, full-time doctor
mostly handmade fits
kc ➡️ chicago, il
other me: @maci_carl

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Hi 👋🏼 happy September! It’s been a long time since I’ve been on here consistently, so allow me to reintroduce myself:

I’m Maci. I’m 27 and grew up in a small town in Kansas. I graduated high school in 2017 and attended the University of Kansas where I got my BA in biochemistry. Despite the trials and tribulations of COVID, I graduated in December 2020 - this is about the time I picked up knitting for the first time. I instantly fell in love. I made things constantly (though nothing was particularly pretty). I walked in spring of 2021 and that summer, started medical school, also at KU.

The first 2 years of medical school involved a lot of watching lectures at home - perfect for knitting. This is when I really hit my groove and was making things I was proud of (much more polished as well). I even started test knitting for designers like @well.lovedknits and @ozetta which I’m so grateful for! Somewhere around summer of 2022, I noticed a lot of knitters I was following were also sewing. I picked up my first machine and made a couple of huge fails, but also about a million pairs of Pomona Pants by @annaallenclothing - I was also hooked. I loved (and still do love) making bottoms!

A lot happened in 2025. I finished medical school, matched at my top program for emergency medicine, got engaged to my partner of 7 years at that point, moved to Chicago, and started working as a doctor. It was always my dream to be an ER doctor in a big city! However, I could feel I was losing myself and the identity I’d formed over the last 5+ years as a maker + creative. Living downtown + being around busy “city” people constantly led me to chasing trends, buying more, and making less. To be fair, there also wasn’t the most space for sewing in our studio apartment. But, we still made it work! Spoiler alert, we moved neighborhoods 😜

Today, I’m still striking a balance between work, life, and creating. While I still regularly wear and use my me-made items behind the scenes, I’m excited to add more to my wardrobe and keep doing what makes me happy. Thanks for being here!

Wearing: #daedress as a top by @soften_studio
Fabric: @fableism cotton taken in Chicago, Illinois by @maci.knits

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a month ago

Fall time in old favorites

Top: #greatlakespullover by @ozetta in knitting for olive heavy merino (navy blue) + isager silk mohair (100) test knit in 2025
Bottom: #coetrousers by @daughterjudypatterns in 10 oz light denim

#knitting #sewing #memadewardrobe taken in Chicago, Illinois by @maci.knits

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2 days ago

Please just one (1) more silk tank until I cast on the next wooly project! A seasonally appropriate color choice nonetheless

Knitting: #camisoleno9 by @myfavouritethings.knitwear
Yarn: @knittingforolive pure silk in copper
Wearing: #pomonapants in off white cotton twill + thrifted cotton sweater taken in Chicago, Illinois by @maci.knits

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15 days ago

If you look closely you’ll see that these are yet another pair of elastic waistband barrel pants that never made it to the grid (lol). I wasn’t sure how I felt about them initially, and probably will consider sizing down next time, as the stiffness and oversized nature of the garment = more fabric than I think I prefer. Still a big fan of the construction and details.

Finished in late winter, now perfect for a 70 degree day ♨️

#pottingpants by @allotmentclothing in rust cotton corduroy from @tailorbird_fabrics

#sewing #memade #sewersofinstagram taken in Chicago, Illinois by @maci.knits

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a month ago

Hello from the new year, and my final completed objects in 2025.

Simple but precious, I tried a Wooble! This first make is Otis the Snake Plant made for my younger sister. I always dabble into Amigurumi for Christmas for her each year. Unfortunately, I was cutting it close and lacking inspiration, so it was nice to try something with a kit already prepped. Obviously didn’t need the video instructions and wish there were some simple written instructions for those of us with enough crochet experience, but still very happy with the process.

Next are 2 simple ribbed beanies for my twin nephews. It was such a pleasure to quickly make it home for their first Christmas 🥹 I didn’t think we’d be able to make the hike driving from Chicago to Kansas in just four days, but somehow we made it happen. This is the Purl SoHo Classic Ribbed Hat in the kid size - even that was a little tight for them. I made it in the Sandnes Garn superwash merino (Babyull Lanett) in 6062 & 6033 held double, so hopefully they stretch and are easy enough for my brother & sister in law to wash!

My makes this year were, in retrospect, sparse. Truly a transformative year moving across the country, working countless brutal hours as a new doctor. Still trying to navigate this new phase of life. Still planning to knit, crochet, and sew as much as I can. Love you all! Thanks for following along. taken in Kansas by @maci.knits

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9 months ago

behold: hard pants!!!

I’ve had my eye on a couple different jeans patterns, with several different ideas cooking since we moved to Chicago. Finally pulled the trigger on the #coetrouser by @daughterjudypatterns in this light wash ~10 ish oz denim from @tailorbird_fabrics which features a nice, subtle barrel leg. 2 toiles later and I lot of #tdco fitting help from @thecrookedhem , I landed on a graded size 10w/12h with 0.75” added to both the front and back rise. I could probably size down and/or add a tiny bit less to the rise next time, but I love the way these fit! They’re perfectly oversized without being too sloppy. This about sent one of my machines to heaven (looking @ you, singer HD) but I’m glad we made it through. Some firsts for me included:
- zipper fly / jeans button installment
- belt loops
- toiles (lol)
- denim top stitching
- booty darts
- bar tacks? surprisingly

peaking through on top is a paring with one of my older makes! #cardiganno7 in drops air / lichen and lace mohair

📷: @jacob_baconator ty ily taken in Chicago, Illinois by @maci.knits

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a year ago

Sorry I’ve been a bit quiet for the second half of #memademay2025 , but I’d say day 18 takes the cake 🎂

Any time a special occasion rolls around, I of course want to make my own dress! The one was for a pretty special one - my medical school graduation 🥹. A culmination of 4 years of (literal) blood, sweat, and tears, all in one garment. I’m so grateful to have it.

In just a few days, we’ll be finished packing up and heading from Kansas City to our new home in downtown Chicago. Then, a couple of (short) weeks to breathe before starting my new position as an Emergency Medicine resident doctor!!! And, of course, fit checks will resume.

If you’re here, thanks for following my journey. Love you all ❤️

- Maci Knits, M.D.

pattern: #bubblefrock by @lydianaomistudio
fabric: main - cotton poplin shirting from Joann’s, lining is a light rayon woven from @legacyfabricskc

notes/mods:
- midi length
- adjustable straps! 10/10 would recommend
- added pockets, also 10/10 would recommend taken in The University of Kansas by @maci.knits

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a year ago

I’d say Miss Olga deserves her own spot on the feed 😌

happy #memademay2025 day 7 featuring my most recent cast-off!

Today’s gloomy rain meant just enough of a chill to throw on some long sleeves. I loved the silhouette of the #olgasweater by @petiteknit but wanted a more transitional piece to wear year-round, so I opted to hold @knittingforolive cotton merino double (navy + cream) on 4.5 mm needles. It’s really perfect, actually. No notes 😌

I paired this with another reliable pair of #freypants by @emilylightly in a black viscose/linen blend (same fabric as the yellow ones), but took 1” off the rise and added 4” to the leg length - I wear these aaaaall the time.

Unpopular opinion: I love pairing navy & black. I do it all the time. My mom would hate it 🤫

olga sweater: size medium
frey pants: size 8, view b with mods above taken in Mission, Kansas by @maci.knits

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a year ago

#memademay2025 day 6 - keeping it simple today

needed an excuse to show off my new glasses 🤓

shirt is an old linen tee from @striped.cow (I love it)
shorts: #weekendchoreshorts by @matchymatchysewingclub in an Essex cotton/linen blend taken in Mission, Kansas by @maci.knits

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a year ago

A sunny, 70 degree day is pretty hard to beat 🐝

#memademay2025 day 4 is a comfy, frequent flyer within my rotation

top: #renotop by @paulastrickt
bottoms: #freypants by @emilylightly (view b - wide leg) taken in Mission, Kansas by @maci.knits

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a year ago

#memademay2025 day 3 😙😙

chugging along with another @soften_studio creation, here’s the #clobiasskirt in a viscose/linen blend from Joann’s (again, rip)

I love how flattering the shape is, thus how easy it is to throw on if I’m craving something other than pants :,) taken in Mission, Kansas by @maci.knits

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a year ago

happy me-made may 🌞🌼 the BEST month!

We’re moving to Chicago at the end of the month, so I’ve pretty much cleared out my fabric stash for sanity purposes. However, the last little bit of stash fabric had a very specific vision, and I’m pleased to see it come to life. I was inspired by the #daedress by @soften_studio but specifically as a top. Most of the alterations involved some guess work, but I believe I took about 13.5” off the skirt in total. I went with an AU size 14, which ended up being wayyyy too big tbh, especially since this cotton was a little denser than say a silk. I went ham with some darts on each side seam and where the v-neck lies in the middle. I was so proud of myself, because it actually made a world of difference. I think next time I opt for the top, I’ll size down and dart the back shirt panel to the yoke instead of gathering.

And lastly, the fabric is a @fableism cotton woven from @kcmakerstudio - the star of the show, of course 🧡 taken in Mission, Kansas by @maci.knits

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a year ago