The Fool in Fiber Arts is the limitless potential of that project not yet cast on—the spark of inspiration that demands to be followed. The Fool is too curious not to listen. The Fool doesn't worry about the skill level of the project, they trust they will find what they need along the way. They embody the thrill of a new beginning, the pulse of excitement in our hands as we gather yarn and tools. The Fool reminds us to trust our intuition, to draw strength from lessons we have collected in past journeys, and learn as we go along. When we are working with The Fool, every blunder becomes a lesson—a treasure tucked into our knapsack for the journey ahead—and we know that each new step helps us become our more complete and sincere selves.

In this first post from The Fool’s Thread series, we’ll take a closer look at The Fool in fiber arts—what this card brings to a reading, how to recognize The Fool’s energy in yourself, your creative practice, and in fellow makers. We’ll also explore how to intentionally weave that spirit of wonder, trust, and wild possibility into your craft.

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The Major Arcana & Craft

How to Recognize the Fool

Stitching with the Fool

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The Major Arcana & Craft

In order to understand the energy The Fool weaves through The Tarot, it is important to recognize the structure of the deck itself. The Tarot is divided into the Major and Minor Arcana. The Minor Arcana, made up of the four suits and the court cards, offers insight into the mundane aspects of life—though don’t be fooled by the word mundane; there is deep magic woven into our daily rhythms and practices.

The Major Arcana consists of 21 numbered cards, along with The Fool, whose journey unfolds through them. The Fool is either unnumbered or marked as 0. When the Major Arcana are placed in order, this card is found at the beginning, before Card 1, or at the end, after Card 21. This is because, as a symbolic representation of life, the journey is a circle or a spiral. As the Fool reaches the end, they find themselves back at the beginning.

While the Minor Arcana speaks to the details of our daily lives, the Major Arcana reveals the larger lessons and themes that influence us, as well as provide insight into the transformations we must undergo as we grow into more whole and authentic versions of ourselves.

How to Recognize the Fool in Fiber Arts

No matter the tarot deck, certain symbols remain constant, especially in those based on the Rider-Waite Tarot. The Fool card radiates innocence and optimism, conveyed through its colors and imagery.

We often see a youthful figure, head tilted upward, lost in possibility. A four-legged friend—most often a dog—trots beside them, representing intuition and inner guidance. The Fool carries a knapsack or a bundle tied to a stick, filled with lessons gathered on past journeys. (But note that the stick is lightly grasped and the bundle is not a heavy one because the Fool, ever the minimalist, knows they will find what they need along the way. A delicate white flower rests in their hand, its undamaged petals symbolizing pure intentions. The sun rises behind them, illuminating their path.

And most significantly, before The Fool lies a cliff—a precipice they approach with blissful unawareness, ready to step into the unknown.

We find the Fool in the maker who, having never spun yarn before, brings a bump of hand dyed wool and a drop spindle home from the fiber festival.

The Fool is the knitter who casts on brioche as their second project ever without questioning their ability.

The Fool is seen in the crocheter who dives into their first lace project with reckless abandon and learning each new stitch along the way.

Most fully, the Fool is gloriously embraced in the maker who confidently states "I never swatch."

Stitching With The Fool

The Fool invites us to embrace the creative journey with open hearts and willing hands. They remind us that making is not just about the finished piece, but about the experience itself—the thrill of trying, the joy of discovery, the resilience of learning as we go. When we weave the lessons of The Fool into our craft, we give ourselves permission to play, to trust, and to create without fear.

Follow Inspiration Without Hesitation. When an idea sparks, let yourself chase it. Maybe it’s an unconventional yarn choice, a new stitch pattern, or an entirely unfamiliar craft. The Fool doesn’t wait for permission; they follow their curiosity, knowing that the act of making is its own reward.

Trust That You Will Learn What You Need. Doubt and hesitation can keep us from beginning, but we can call on The Fool to remind us that every skill was once unknown. Every expert once a beginner, and because the journey is a circle, they will be a beginner again. Cast on the project that excites you, even if the techniques are unfamiliar. The stitches will teach you as you go.

Let Mistakes Become Part of the Journey. Dropped stitches, wonky tension, a miscrossed cable—these are not failures, but lessons. The Fool teaches us that every misstep adds to our wisdom. Maybe you rip it back, maybe you embrace the imperfection, maybe you turn a mistake into a design element. However you move forward, you carry that lesson with you.

Find Joy in the Process. Too often, we focus on the end result—the finished sweater, the blocked lace shawl, the perfect pair of socks. But The Fool delights in the doing. They remind us to savor the feel of fiber between our fingers, the rhythm of the needles, the magic of watching something take shape.

Take the Leap. The Fool doesn’t stand at the edge of the cliff hesitating. They step forward, knowing that the path will reveal itself. When we take creative risks—designing our own pattern, improvising on the needles, spinning yarn without a plan—we honor The Fool’s spirit. We leap, and we learn to trust that we will land exactly where we need to be.

We know that our craft is not just a skill, but a living, evolving relationship with ourselves.

The Fool reminds us that the beginning of any journey is sacred. Whether you're picking up a new fiber art or simply following a whisper of inspiration, may you move forward with open hands, a curious heart, and the courage to leap. Every misstep is a stitch in the story, every triumph a thread in the tapestry. Trust the journey. Trust your craft. Trust yourself.

If you enjoyed this first blog post from The Fool's Thread series, let me know! Leave a comment and share your thoughts, I would love to hear from you!

How has The Fool influenced your craft? Are you comfortable working with them or do you struggle to let go of the structure the other Major Arcana provide?

Happy Making! ~Sönna

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