I’ve been trying to avoid mentioning politics on Indie Untangled because, no matter which direction you lean in, if you’re looking for a refuge from it these days, it’s very hard to find. I myself am of two minds — I go online looking for distractions, only to wonder why people are posting cat photos when there is SO MUCH going on that it’s impossible to keep up with it all.
But, as the owner of a website that supports independent and primarily women-owned fiber businesses, I would be remiss if I failed to acknowledge the massive act of craftivism that was on display this past weekend. The pink blanketing the photos of the women’s marches that took place around the world on Jan. 21 were the result of the Pussyhat Project, a movement launched by Kat Coyle, the owner of a Los Angeles yarn shop that I happened to visit last year, and which Rob Walker of The New Yorker called a “material-cultural phenomenon that could end up earning a lasting place in the annals of political symbolism.”
Among that sea of color was the work of some talented indie dyers, including Lisa of Vermont-based White Birch Fiber Arts, who I interviewed for a recent article about politics and crafting that appeared in the journal of the Craft Industry Alliance, an organization that brings together hundreds of craft businesses to share strategies and best practices. There was also Denise of Yoshi and Lucy, a new Brooklyn-based dyer who offered her Vibrant colorway at a discount in honor of the march.
Along with being proud to see knitting in the spotlight, I enjoyed the individual expression in this mass movement. Throughout the photos, and the pussyhats I spotted in person in New York City, there was a huge variety, from the standard knit-flat-and-seamed version to those with intricate stitch patterns.
I’m sure you may have an idea of what I think about current events because I’m publishing this post, choosing not to ignore the activism or express my disagreement with it (and I think there are better ways of doing that than calling out the entirety of the women’s movement for “vulgarity, vile and evilness,” as one yarn shop in Tennessee did). But, just as how it’s impossible to go anywhere without coming face to face with what’s going on in the world, it seems that this moment in knitting needs to be taken off the needles and worn proudly.
7 Responses
You know what’s disgraceful? The way thousands of women have ATTACKED the TN woman for *gasp* HAVING HER OWN OPINION. So much for tolerance and the politics of the Damn women’s march including EVERYONE. Vile display of bullying.
Seriously? We would have been happy for her to march with us. Instead, she called millions of women vulgar, vile and evil. When you insult the vast majority of your own customer base, you should probably be prepared for backlash.
It’s not her opinion I have a problem with: it’s her utter lack of tolerance for those who might disagree with her. How is it bullying to call her out for discouraging those who don’t agree with her politics to not shop at her store? No one suggested a boycott: on the contrary, she urged women who think differently from her to stop patronizing her store. Of course, the greatest irony here is that it’s because of the women’s movement that she’s even able to own her own business. Sheesh. Talk about biting the hand that feeds. And no one is trying to silence her. But if you take a strong public stance, you need to be prepared to face public reaction.
I’m with you Lisa.
Thank you for your post.
Proud of you and all the wonderful knitting women who created that sea of pink in DC!
I’ve never been so proud of my community as when I got off the subway in Washington, D.C., and saw that endless ocean of pink hats.
Wonderful post, Lisa–thanks for sharing your thoughts.