knitting and activism

[btdt]

www.pbs.org/newshour/art/stitch-stitch-history-knitting-activism/

I thought this was interesting.

[2curlydogs]

[pixy0stix]

This was an interesting article. I like how it leads with the knitting circle being a space for women to come together and discuss hard topics in a safe atmosphere.

In October 2014, Sewell and Payne helped form the Yarn Mission, a knitting collective aimed at fighting racial injustice through community organizing and by supporting black creators’ work. The quiet setting of a knitting circle has helped them discuss difficult topics, Payne said. “A lot of times what we’re talking about is really traumatic,” she said. “It’s the only way I’m able to talk about a lot of the things that have happened in Ferguson and continue to happen in St. Louis.”

[brandienee]

I love Taylor Payne's work with knitting and activism. We definitely need to see more diversity within the industry. I am so here for what she is doing in the community. Right now it just feels like a UMC white ladies circle. (Re: pussyhats)

However, there are a lot of us that are using their money to channel it into good causes. I design patterns and my sales go to the SPLC and small local environmental charities. I've seen a lot of donations go to Planned Parenthood, but I would love to see more of that money go to other causes that focus on poverty and environmentalism. (Who is going to be needing sweaters when the temp keeps climbing??)

I would LOVE to see more outreach to minority communities though. Knitting offers a lot of mental health benefits and should be for everyone, if they want to try it.

[Bergamot]

"For much of American history, 'Women were limited in lots of areas of public activity. They were not supposed to be visible in public,” Katherine Durack, former associate professor at Miami University, told the NewsHour Weekend. “It makes sense, then, that needle arts would be an important means of expression and that includes political expression.'"

I like this article's way of pointing out that knitting, or other types of "women's work" have been used as a way for women, who had no voice, to become active in their community, whether by passing on information they otherwise would have access to, to down right helping the resistance.  And doing so in plain sight, under the auspices of just doing women's work.

I started to learn to knit a couple years ago, and joined a local knitting group last fall.  In late December, one of the members mentioned she was making dozens of pussy hats for the Women's March.  Prior to that I did not know her political affiliation.  We had briefly talked politics, but she didn't talk much about it.  When I learned she was knitting these hats, I was actually surprised.  I was also kind of skeptical of the whole pussy hat movement.  I was truly surprised to see how many pussy hats were worn at the march.  I would have never thought...

I think getting folks together who have a common interest outside of social justice or politics could lead to identifying common political or ideological interests, and maybe dispelling misinformation, especially in the age of "alternative facts." And would likely be more effective than throwing on a safety-pin and calling it a day.

[pixy0stix]

This reminds me a lot of quilting and activism, from the modern (eg www.cincymuseum.org/traveling-exhibits/and-still-we-rise) to the historical ( worldquilts.quiltstudy.org/americanstory/engagement/awareness-activism ).

[schrodinger]

Apr 24, 2017 14:13:35 GMT -5 brandienee said:

I would LOVE to see more outreach to minority communities though. Knitting offers a lot of mental health benefits and should be for everyone, if they want to try it.

I just don't see knitting being accessible to anyone outside of UMC, the cost is just too high.  Good yarn is expensive, a pair of hand-knit socks will easily run $10-20/pair.  Tack on needles, patterns, and other accessories, and it shouldn't be a surprise that it's not a hobby that's accessible to lower-income families.  Lots of yarn has to be handwashed, which just tacks on another chore.

I agree with your point, and would love to see knitting be more accessible, I just see so many barriers and no easy solution.  Pattern developers deserve to profit from their creative work, buying online harms local yarn shops, etc.

[pixy0stix]

Apr 24, 2017 16:41:48 GMT -5 schrodinger said:

Apr 24, 2017 14:13:35 GMT -5 brandienee said:

I would LOVE to see more outreach to minority communities though. Knitting offers a lot of mental health benefits and should be for everyone, if they want to try it.

I just don't see knitting being accessible to anyone outside of UMC, the cost is just too high.  Good yarn is expensive, a pair of hand-knit socks will easily run $10-20/pair.  Tack on needles, patterns, and other accessories, and it shouldn't be a surprise that it's not a hobby that's accessible to lower-income families.  Lots of yarn has to be handwashed, which just tacks on another chore.

I agree with your point, and would love to see knitting be more accessible, I just see so many barriers and no easy solution.  Pattern developers deserve to profit from their creative work, buying online harms local yarn shops, etc.

Whut? You can buy cheapie yarn. I grew up dirt poor and we were always doing yarn crafts. This is the exact polar opposite of what I know.

[schrodinger]

Apr 24, 2017 16:57:43 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Apr 24, 2017 16:41:48 GMT -5 schrodinger said:

I just don't see knitting being accessible to anyone outside of UMC, the cost is just too high.  Good yarn is expensive, a pair of hand-knit socks will easily run $10-20/pair.  Tack on needles, patterns, and other accessories, and it shouldn't be a surprise that it's not a hobby that's accessible to lower-income families.  Lots of yarn has to be handwashed, which just tacks on another chore.

I agree with your point, and would love to see knitting be more accessible, I just see so many barriers and no easy solution.  Pattern developers deserve to profit from their creative work, buying online harms local yarn shops, etc.

Whut? You can buy cheapie yarn. I grew up dirt poor and we were always doing yarn crafts. This is the exact polar opposite of what I know.

The only cheap yarn that I consistently find has a high acrylic-content.  As a kid, I had fun knitting/crafting with the cheap yarn, but don't enjoy working with it or wearing garments knit with it as an adult.  I've scrapped a number of socks I've knit because the acrylic/nylon was uncomfortable and made my feet sweat too much.  Even cheap yarn makes for an expensive project, if you're looking at needing 500-2000 yards for a sweater.

[pixy0stix]

Apr 24, 2017 17:12:58 GMT -5 schrodinger said:

Apr 24, 2017 16:57:43 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Whut? You can buy cheapie yarn. I grew up dirt poor and we were always doing yarn crafts. This is the exact polar opposite of what I know.

The only cheap yarn that I consistently find has a high acrylic-content.  As a kid, I had fun knitting/crafting with the cheap yarn, but don't enjoy working with it or wearing garments knit with it as an adult.  I've scrapped a number of socks I've knit because the acrylic/nylon was uncomfortable and made my feet sweat too much.  Even cheap yarn makes for an expensive project, if you're looking at needing 500-2000 yards for a sweater.

And? You're a yarn snob. Doesn't mean that everyone is. Do you know how many acrylic yarn blankets I have from my family? A ton. 

Oh, I get it. Poor people can't do crafts, right? That's where this is heading. Or at least crafts that aren't good enough to keep.

[arterr0]

Apr 24, 2017 17:21:20 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Apr 24, 2017 17:12:58 GMT -5 schrodinger said:

The only cheap yarn that I consistently find has a high acrylic-content.  As a kid, I had fun knitting/crafting with the cheap yarn, but don't enjoy working with it or wearing garments knit with it as an adult.  I've scrapped a number of socks I've knit because the acrylic/nylon was uncomfortable and made my feet sweat too much.  Even cheap yarn makes for an expensive project, if you're looking at needing 500-2000 yards for a sweater.

And? You're a yarn snob. Doesn't mean that everyone is. Do you know how many acrylic yarn blankets I have from my family? A ton. 

Oh, I get it. Poor people can't do crafts, right? That's where this is heading. Or at least crafts that aren't good enough to keep.

Yep. I still wrap up in the acrylic yarn blankets that my grandmother made for me 25 years ago. I'm glad no one told her knitting and crocheting wasn't for the poors, or I wouldn't really have any momentos from her.

[brandienee]

Apr 24, 2017 16:41:48 GMT -5 schrodinger said:

Apr 24, 2017 14:13:35 GMT -5 brandienee said:

I would LOVE to see more outreach to minority communities though. Knitting offers a lot of mental health benefits and should be for everyone, if they want to try it.

I just don't see knitting being accessible to anyone outside of UMC, the cost is just too high.  Good yarn is expensive, a pair of hand-knit socks will easily run $10-20/pair.  Tack on needles, patterns, and other accessories, and it shouldn't be a surprise that it's not a hobby that's accessible to lower-income families.  Lots of yarn has to be handwashed, which just tacks on another chore.

I agree with your point, and would love to see knitting be more accessible, I just see so many barriers and no easy solution.  Pattern developers deserve to profit from their creative work, buying online harms local yarn shops, etc.

This is exactly where I am at with regards to it needing to be more inclusive.

Especially with the stigma that yarn from Big Box Stores aren't worth anything. Acrylic yarn is so much better than it used to be. Why there's the red hart hate, I don't know. I don't like their patterns, but they have a ton of free patterns online. I would love to see quality fiber (wool, Linen, cotton) become available at affordable prices. Actually they have affordable wool, so--

Then there's the effort to get to a craft store. It's almost impossible in some communities.

It's hard though when you're debating on food that day or yarn. Food always wins.

I know there has to be a way. I think it's going to be up to UMC users and creators to start the process. Basically knitting socialism. Universal knitting.

[chedifuen]

Apr 24, 2017 14:13:35 GMT -5 brandienee said:

I love Taylor Payne's work with knitting and activism. We definitely need to see more diversity within the industry. I am so here for what she is doing in the community. Right now it just feels like a UMC white ladies circle. (Re: pussyhats)

However, there are a lot of us that are using their money to channel it into good causes. I design patterns and my sales go to the SPLC and small local environmental charities. I've seen a lot of donations go to Planned Parenthood, but I would love to see more of that money go to other causes that focus on poverty and environmentalism. (Who is going to be needing sweaters when the temp keeps climbing??)

I would LOVE to see more outreach to minority communities though. Knitting offers a lot of mental health benefits and should be for everyone, if they want to try it.

Where can I buy your patterns? I recently learned to knit and I love the idea of supporting a designer that donates a portion of their proceeds. 

[meshaliuknits]

In defense of acrylic yarn, the stuff that you find in Michael's or Joann's for $4 is NOT the same as the acrylic yarn that my MIL gifted me that she's had since the 70s. It's often soft and nice to work with. You can also get a decent ball of wool for $5. I have a ton of yarn in my stash. I have just as much 50% off inexpensive Joann's yarn as I do fancy pants, locally dyed, the name of the sheep it was sheered from is Bernice (actual thing I have in my stash).


I'm not going to weigh in on the OP. I just can't stand to see yarn being disparaged unfairly.

[AJL]

Apr 24, 2017 16:41:48 GMT -5 schrodinger said:

Apr 24, 2017 14:13:35 GMT -5 brandienee said:

I would LOVE to see more outreach to minority communities though. Knitting offers a lot of mental health benefits and should be for everyone, if they want to try it.

I just don't see knitting being accessible to anyone outside of UMC, the cost is just too high.  Good yarn is expensive, a pair of hand-knit socks will easily run $10-20/pair.  Tack on needles, patterns, and other accessories, and it shouldn't be a surprise that it's not a hobby that's accessible to lower-income families.  Lots of yarn has to be handwashed, which just tacks on another chore.

I agree with your point, and would love to see knitting be more accessible, I just see so many barriers and no easy solution.  Pattern developers deserve to profit from their creative work, buying online harms local yarn shops, etc.

With all due respect, this is some snobby-ass bullshit. It is elitist to expect that this craft only be made with artisan quality yarns and tools. It is elitist to assume that knitting with economical materials isn't sufficient. You can check out hundreds of pattern books at the library. Patterns are also free on Ravelry and all one needs to have is access to the Internet.  

Further more, knitting is simply the combination of two stitches: knit and purl. A piece is created by a combination of those two stitches. Creating one's own pattern requires only the knowledge of how to cast-on, knit, purl, cast-off, and basic math. Literally anyone with hands can knit and I dare say there are likely people who may not have both hands that still knit (because I don't want to pose an ableist assumption.)

I am a knitter, crocheter, and quilter (and a pretty damn good one.) My first knitting tools were a pair of size 7, 14" aluminum knitting needles I picked up at Savers (a thrift store) for $.99 and a ball of Red Heart acrylic yarn. Total cost <$3.00.  Value of my first knitted hat that I donated to a homeless outreach center? Priceless. 

[AJL]

Y'all, the only people who feel the stigma of acrylic yarn from Big Box Stores are UMC white women knitters who feel that their knitting is only quality if they spend a shitton on cashmerino. Get over it.

[brandienee]

Apr 24, 2017 17:12:58 GMT -5 schrodinger said:

Apr 24, 2017 16:57:43 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Whut? You can buy cheapie yarn. I grew up dirt poor and we were always doing yarn crafts. This is the exact polar opposite of what I know.

The only cheap yarn that I consistently find has a high acrylic-content.  As a kid, I had fun knitting/crafting with the cheap yarn, but don't enjoy working with it or wearing garments knit with it as an adult.  I've scrapped a number of socks I've knit because the acrylic/nylon was uncomfortable and made my feet sweat too much.  Even cheap yarn makes for an expensive project, if you're looking at needing 500-2000 yards for a sweater.

Caron and Red Heart sell huge 1lb skeins for blankets/ sweaters for like 10-20 bucks. I do think that all yarn should be accessible, but man, acrylic is always going to be cheap and there.

It's also getting out of your neighborhood to a Michaels or Hobby Lobby or Joanns. Or finding the time off to actually sit down and knit.

[downtoearth]

I have a hard time with the connection between crafting and activism for women and so I'm skeptical. But, this article is interesting as a reminder that women, especially slaves or former slaves, have used fiber arts (knitting, needlework, seamstress/clothing designing, loom/yarn making, etc.) as a source of small acts of power and to make money and so it has been a way to slowly improve minority lives.

I'm pretty sure another knitter mentioned the Yarn Mission from Ferguson (first picture in the OP article shows one of the members or organizers)? I swear I read about t on here awhile ago, but I think maybe a friend who also knits might have posted it. They take donations of all types of yarn, schrodinger. I should send some off myself (have a few bags from my MIL who was encouraging me to try, but I didn't take it up.)

[miniroller]

Apr 24, 2017 17:31:44 GMT -5 arterr0 said:

Apr 24, 2017 17:21:20 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

And? You're a yarn snob. Doesn't mean that everyone is. Do you know how many acrylic yarn blankets I have from my family? A ton. 

Oh, I get it. Poor people can't do crafts, right? That's where this is heading. Or at least crafts that aren't good enough to keep.

Yep. I still wrap up in the acrylic yarn blankets that my grandmother made for me 25 years ago. I'm glad no one told her knitting and crocheting wasn't for the poors, or I wouldn't really have any momentos from her.

And sorry to get super sentimental, hope it's not just me who thinks like this: but I totally feel her presence when wrapped up in that cheap-yarn-afghan.
(Which is what she always called it & typing it out, for the first time, made me question if this is offensive..? It's not- right?! It's a grandma word for blanket!!!)

[AJL]

Apr 24, 2017 18:03:20 GMT -5 downtoearth said:

I have a hard time with the connection between crafting and activism for women and so I'm skeptical. But, this article is interesting as a reminder that women, especially slaves or former slaves, have used fiber arts (knitting, needlework, seamstress/clothing designing, loom/yarn making, etc.) as a source of small acts of power and to make money and so it has been a way to slowly improve minority lives.

I'm pretty sure another knitter mentioned the Yarn Mission from Ferguson (first picture in the OP article shows one of the members or organizers)? I swear I read about t on here awhile ago, but I think maybe a friend who also knits might have posted it. They take donations of all types of yarn, schrodinger . I should send some off myself (have a few bags from my MIL who was encouraging me to try, but I didn't take it up.)

Then you need to look into the connection between activism and quilting. There is a HUGE connection and a very old one (think hundreds of years.)  

[jln]

miniroller my grandma also refers to them as afghans and I haven't heard anyone else use that term. It gives me the warm fuzzies thinking about her spending her time making us blankets, even if she used cheap as shit yarn on ugly colors. They're still treasured.

As for the OP, activism comes in all different forms and if crafting is what creates an environment that enables women to be active in politics, then I don't see that as a negative. And certainly not if it gives lower income or minority women a safe space.

[downtoearth]

Apr 24, 2017 18:07:36 GMT -5 AJL said:

Apr 24, 2017 18:03:20 GMT -5 downtoearth said:

I have a hard time with the connection between crafting and activism for women and so I'm skeptical. But, this article is interesting as a reminder that women, especially slaves or former slaves, have used fiber arts (knitting, needlework, seamstress/clothing designing, loom/yarn making, etc.) as a source of small acts of power and to make money and so it has been a way to slowly improve minority lives.

I'm pretty sure another knitter mentioned the Yarn Mission from Ferguson (first picture in the OP article shows one of the members or organizers)? I swear I read about t on here awhile ago, but I think maybe a friend who also knits might have posted it. They take donations of all types of yarn, schrodinger . I should send some off myself (have a few bags from my MIL who was encouraging me to try, but I didn't take it up.)

Then you need to look into the connection between activism and quilting. There is a HUGE connection and a very old one (think hundreds of years.)  

I should have said the "recent" connection between crafting and activism (i.e. pussy hats, hats for science, scrapbook sent to senators with info on people affected by ACA repeal, spending more time on a sign for a march than you spend at the march or calling senators, etc.).   So I see current knitting or quilting circles with more skepticism then is likely warranted and for some reason think people who have crafted as a form of activism in the 1950's and before with more validity - my own bias, I admit.  

[mominatrix]

Nice yarn is expensive.
That's why I go to thrift stores, buy sweaters etc, and take them apart for the yarn. Yes, it takes a little more time. But then I have yarn! ...and cashmere socks.

Needles, same deal. If you can't find knitting needles at thrift stores, you aren't looking. Now, if you want bamboo circulars you'll have to pay more. But you can get tons of needles in all kinds of sizes and all kinds of finishes for very little money.

As for patterns... the internet has opened that right up. A free Ravelry membership, and a whole world of patterns is available to you for free. Yes, there are some that you have to pay for, but there are a TON of gorgeous patterns to do all kinds of things. You could live a knitting lifetime without ever paying $1 for a pattern.

[brandienee]

AJL you're right. I apologize if I came off as snobby.

[Deleted]

Apr 24, 2017 18:27:00 GMT -5 mominatrix said:

Nice yarn is expensive.
That's why I go to thrift stores, buy sweaters etc, and take them apart for the yarn. Yes, it takes a little more time. But then I have yarn! ...and cashmere socks.

And the thing is that contrary to the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" crowd, poor people have been this resourceful for eons.

I thought the article was really interesting, particularly the historical part. If you think about it, it's only relatively recently that we've moved to an industrial economy from an agrarian one. How many women in centuries past were spinning their own yarn? Or buying yarn that the woman three farms over spun and used it to make clothes for their families? The idea that buying a sweater is cheaper than making your own is a relatively new development.

The big takeaway I got from this article is that while "crafting" as we know it today may have largely become a wealthier, whiter universe, the needle arts have a rich history that extends far beyond that.

[meshaliuknits]

Apr 24, 2017 18:27:00 GMT -5 mominatrix said:

Needles, same deal. If you can't find knitting needles at thrift stores, you aren't looking. Now, if you want bamboo circulars you'll have to pay more. But you can get tons of needles in all kinds of sizes and all kinds of finishes for very little money.

My inexpensive bamboo circulars came with a lifetime guarantee, too, so when someone inevitably sits on a set you can get them replaced for nothing.

[arterr0]

Apr 24, 2017 18:19:49 GMT -5 jln said:

miniroller my grandma also refers to them as afghans and I haven't heard anyone else use that term. It gives me the warm fuzzies thinking about her spending her time making us blankets, even if she used cheap as shit yarn on ugly colors. They're still treasured.

As for the OP, activism comes in all different forms and if crafting is what creates an environment that enables women to be active in politics, then I don't see that as a negative. And certainly not if it gives lower income or minority women a safe space.

My grandmother also called them afghans, as does my mom.

[muffin0]

Apr 24, 2017 19:29:31 GMT -5 arterr0 said:

Apr 24, 2017 18:19:49 GMT -5 jln said:

miniroller my grandma also refers to them as afghans and I haven't heard anyone else use that term. It gives me the warm fuzzies thinking about her spending her time making us blankets, even if she used cheap as shit yarn on ugly colors. They're still treasured.

As for the OP, activism comes in all different forms and if crafting is what creates an environment that enables women to be active in politics, then I don't see that as a negative. And certainly not if it gives lower income or minority women a safe space.

My grandmother also called them afghans, as does my mom.

Afghans in our family too.

[walterismydog]

Soapbox time! I find it fucking rich that so many goddamn hipsters have taken traditionally "poor people" things and now think they own them and that only the fanciest of tools and materials must be used to produce those things.

See: chickens. Gardening. Knitting. Sewing. Beer/booze making. Pasta making. Thrifting, to some level. Canning.

I like to do some of those things, but I try to do it in the cheapest possible way. It's infuriating when hipsters make my hobbies expensive.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Apr 24, 2017 19:41:26 GMT -5 muffin0 said:

Apr 24, 2017 19:29:31 GMT -5 arterr0 said:

My grandmother also called them afghans, as does my mom.

Afghans in our family too.

I call it an afghan if crocheted and a blanket if knitted. No idea how this weird thing happened.

But to the point, I love that yarn and yarn crafts are making a comeback, AND that folks of all ages, backgrounds (and foregrounds, if you will), and belief systems are putting their needles where their heart is.