Craft as resistance: Have you downloaded Donna Druchunas’s free ‘Knitting as a Political Act’ e-book yet?
Related: this talk about the role of knitting in the era of World War One sounds fascinating. February 9th, at the Rockport Public Library in Rockport, Maine. If I lived closer, I’d definitely attend.
Just a little reminder: Jillian and I are both reaching at the upcoming Interweave Yarn Fest, in Loveland, Colorado. The weekend of March 30-April 2, the event features a broad variety of classes on all topics yarny: knitting, crochet, spinning and weaving. If you’re in the area, there’s also a great retail fair.
Not knitting, but absolutely fascinating: a lace dress, made for Queen Charlotte, the wife of England’s King George III. The dress is rare for two reasons: very few pieces of the era have survived, and this one in particular is constructed entirely of lace – a process that would have been incredibly time-consuming and costly, and resulted in a very very delicate garment. The story is worth reading, if you’ve been following the new TV series “Victoria”, as Charlotte’s sad family history ultimately led to Victoria being crowned.
YES: Craft on the cover of the New Yorker. And here’s the story behind the artist, Abigail Gray Swartz, who is also a knitter. She submitted it to the publication on a whim!
Totally blowing my own horn here, but I can’t resist.
Due to a connection through my husband’s work, I had to make two pink hats, as a day or two before the march I ended up giving my first one away. My first hat went to none other than Tatiana Maslany, Emmy-winning actress and lead in the very popular TV series Orphan Black, where she plays a series of characters. Ms. Maslany was unable to walk in the Women’s March January 21st due to work commitments, but she did post pictures of herself, in character(s), wearing the hat I made.
#pussyhat knit by @kateatherley !!! Thank you!!! X https://t.co/CyFGrePxYc
— Tatiana Maslany (@tatianamaslany) January 24, 2017
Click on the link in the tweet to see the hat!
It was even mentioned in Entertainment Weekly. Squee!
PLEASE, PLEASE stop with the politics! Not everyone agrees & it serves to further divide people. The more divided – the less we LISTEN to each other. The less we listen to each other the less we understand other people’s points of view. I respect your opinions but I never see you including another side. NEVER. And believe it or not– there are two sides.
Can you provide links to your own blog or other sites that express the other point(s) of view you think are being excluded? You have the opportunity to speak here in the comment space Knitty has so generously provided. Why not use it to offer others an opportunity to listen to you, rather than telling Kate to stop talking? People can’t understand your point of view if you haven’t expressed it.
There’s another side to women’s rights?
It is so awesome that your hat went to Tatiana! She is an incredible actress, and well deserving of her Emmy. It takes great talent to play more than 6 people, in a single storyline.
What I loved is that you and Jillian are “reaching,” rather than simply “teaching!” Feels even more important.
And to the whole politics discussion – hey, the personal is political. Rock on with your bad selves!
That is awesome! I love Tatiana Maslany! What a great example of a strong, smart woman.
Don’t stop activism. Revolutions gave women the vote, ended segregation and gave black people legal rights. This is just as important! Go, you!
I am personally very grateful for the political discussion occurring in a safe and special place. Everyone has the “right” not to read items that bother them. I am especially thankful to see Canadians support their knitting kin in the USA. As someone who is frightened by what is happening in my country, I especially appreciate that others around the world are supporting our outrage. It would be much worse to be isolated, since this is the goal of our current administration. Thank you Kate from the bottom of my heart for your support, now if you could just find a way for American knitters to be considered honorary Canadians! xo
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I was thrilled that one of the speakers at our local march wore one of the hats I made. So honored.
Whether you like the politics or not, you have to be impressed by a hand knitted symbol and how loud it has spoken to so many.