Let's Move the Needle: An Activism Handbook for Artists, Crafters, Creatives, and Makers; Build Community and Make Change!

by Shannon Downey

Create change in the world with this inspiring guide to social activism, from the artist and craftivist behind Badass Cross Stitch.

Craftivism, or the space where art and activism meet, is a powerful, ever-evolving social justice movement that continues to grow and diversify as more voices and mediums take part in it. In Let's Move the Needle, Shannon Downey, an outspoken voice in the craftivist movement for over a decade, provides a roadmap and accessible toolkit for burgeoning art activists.

Filled with self-reflective activities, exercises, prompts, and stories, Let's Move the Needle educates and empowers creatives to center their art around collective action in service of political, social or community issues they are most passionate about; affirming that everyone can be a changemaker and that change-making can be generative, enjoyable, and a bit sassy!

Genres: Nonfiction, Crafts, Activism, Art, Politics, Feminism, Adult

264 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2024

Reviews

[Josephine Jarman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title implies this could be linked to crafts needlework etc. After a couple of chapters this is clearly an activist bible also appealing for anyone looking fir a new mindset to change their world. An enjoyable read full if practical tips. However very disappointing the craft element was forgotten too quickly. I think the title could be stretched to reflect the fact it's not just creative people on community projects who would enjoy this. Short chapters make this a perfect resource to dip into.
Thank you netgallery and publisher and This had me gripped from tge blurb. The short chapters kept my attention. The multiple reveal of secrets from multiple characters means this requires great concentration. The premise of hiw far would a parent go to protect their child when lines become blurd is the hook. A lot of complex issues are dealt with a careful realistic way. . The pov style reinforced the quality of the writing. The final epilogue gave me chills and the hope for a sequel. It was engrossing and captivating full of misdirection. This is highly recommended but be warned the perfect writing and realism may start to make sone of those news stories seem nore real. Thank you netgallery and publisher and author

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s Move the Needle is a BRILLIANT handbook for learning to take small steps to create change in the world that can ripple out into much larger waves. Learning to use your own voice – to advocate for the issues you care about – with ART – feels really daunting for this human who hasn’t identified as an artist. What Shannon adds to the conversation to make it safe is a deep exploration of OURSELVES. As an AFAB human, we get so enculturated to be of service and to help others before ourselves…sitting down to identify the things I personally care about, and what I think about them is such a different place to start than I expected. Shannon doesn’t ask you to get out and protest as step one (You CAN, if that’s what amps you up!) Let’s Move the Needle asks us start with ourselves. Whoa. There’s journal prompts and creativity openers that are helping me to look inside first, before I peek out of my hermit’s cave to share a thought, a message, a piece of art with the world.

Shannon gives you steps for everything! Honestly, this book is a great handbook for anything that needs some deep thought and strategy before acting. How to engage in conflict in a supportive way – there’s a plan for that. How to get out of your perfectionist expectations about art – let’s #makedontbreak and use a sense of play and experimentation to get comfortable with being a voice for change. What skills do you have / need? Who do you know? Shannon offers sharp, snappy guidance to alleviate all our internalized objections that stop us from getting out into the world and putting our voice into the mix to make this earth a better place for all its inhabitants.

The examples of Craftivism offered in the book show how it is personal care and commitment to an issue that transform the art into change, connecting one person’s heart and voice to another. And the impact isn’t in some capitalist sense of “having the best art.” It’s in that alchemical ZING that connects us to each other and makes us care, encourages us to act. With Let’s Move the Needle, I think we can all do that.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost ALL about activism and almost NOTHING about craft/art. Don't get me wrong, activism is hugely important, and Downey offers a lot of great advice on how to get involved and make a difference. But for a book that bills itself as one for "Artists, Crafters, Creatives and Makers," it was surprisingly scant on any of that. I'd hoped for way more idea-generating tips, photos of subversive craft and art, what to do with your work in order to have an impact, etc.

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly organized and peppered with Shannon's wit, this book is readable and do-able. You might not be able to take it all in (or take it all on) on the first pass, but I guarantee you'll find bits and pieces that you need and can do RIGHT NOW.

Totally the right book at the right time, whether you are a craftivist, activist, member of a nonprofit team, or simply an aware human being.

[Karin]

This was a simple flip through with a lot of prompts. TBH it reads like a nonprofit business guide in many ways. I read it for an upcoming book discussion group and I'm eager to discuss it with others! Going to skip a star rating for this one.

[Samantha Pajor · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book on activism, even if you're not a crafter.

[Melanie Godecki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really solid guide to activism and launching community projects

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a business book for folks who aren't into business. Reading the introduction I was reminded of cooking blogs where you just want the recipe but you have to scroll through pages and pages of whatever first. I skimmed the rest and found solid advice for basic goal setting, project management, and consensus building. All good stuff, just not stuff I need to read at this stage of a project management career. Some folks will love this book it's a good book to exist. Just not for me.

[Aee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was such a surprise of worlds. Activism and craft. As an avid crafter I didn't know or had yet to be introduced to the world of craftivism. The act of using craft(s) to become involved. Though I had been introduced to knitting as activism I didn't know or never considered it could apply to other crafts and I'm pleasantly surprised to know that it does.

This book offers many ideas and projects that can be used to "take a stand" and offer a position on how to become involved using your favorite crafty hobby or even acquiring a hobby as a method of protest.

This book isn't really a tutorial of sort more so a call to action and inspiration on how to utilize craftivism in your life. I appreciate the opportunity to read this book and did learn more about craftivism from it.

#netgalley

[AcademicEditor · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Let's Move the Needle: An Activism Handbook for Artists, Crafters, Creatives, and Makers” by Shannon Downey is an invitation to combine your creativity with social impact. Downey, known for her Instagram persona Badass Cross Stitch, has a deep-rooted passion for craftivism—a blend of art and activism designed to spark dialogue and drive change. This handbook isn’t so much about crafting patterns or tutorials as it is an inspiring toolkit for makers to channel their art into activism. Downey’s engaging tone and authentic stories make the guide feel like a personal coaching session, equipping readers to create change through self-reflection, community building, and joyful, purposeful action.

The book offers thought-provoking prompts that help creatives reflect on what causes truly resonate with them. Downey encourages artists to understand the power of their hands in bringing visibility to social issues, whether that means stitching for environmental justice, painting for gender equality, or organizing for a neighborhood cause. Her candid approach in discussing the challenges of activism—from balancing self-care to navigating community dynamics—shows readers that craftivism can be a powerful medium for connection and action.

“Let's Move the Needle” isn’t just a manual for individual growth; it’s a call to come together. Downey envisions a world where makers amplify each other's voices, showing that activism can be a collaborative, joyous process. With checklists for organizing events, tips on effective meeting management, and advice on building inclusive communities, this book is ideal for both solo creatives and groups looking to make a tangible impact. For anyone interested in art as a vehicle for social change, Downey’s handbook offers not only guidance but a sense of belonging to a broader, meaningful movement.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been a craftivist for several years, both as a participant in national and international projects and in local and personal activities. I’ve read a lot. But this book is totally different than anything currently available. After describing craftivism and listing several good examples, Downey spends most of the book discussing how to develop a personal craftivist manifesto and plan a project from setting goals to managing resources. If you’re looking for a book of patterns and projects, this isn’t it (although successful examples are listed throughout the book). There are other books out there with patterns, including on the author’s own Instagram, @badasscrossstitch. This book will give you the tools to come up with a meaningful project that works for you and your community, and make it successful.

I believe this book should stand next to Betsy Greer’s classics, Craftivism and Knitting for Good on every craftivist’s bookshelf. Many thanks to Storey Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Kayte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shannon has created an inspiring how to guide for activism uniquely geared creatives and artists of all types. Explore yourself (and your creative nature) to strengthen your voice and expand your community, all in service of your political or social beliefs. Everyone from the budding activist to the seasoned social justice warrior with find practical next steps in Shannon’s words. A must have for teachers and anyone working with creative teens and young adults.

[Tara Pealer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It centers the activism within craftivisim, provided clear steps to become a more active activist and also encouraged personal growth and self-reflection. I will definitely be recommending this book to friends and colleagues who want to learn about building and growing as activists, especially those who want to do it in a crafty way.

[DustyBookSniffers - Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Let's Move the Needle" by Shannon Downey is a comprehensive exploration of activism spanning 264 pages. While I initially approached this book with limited knowledge about the author, Shannon Downey's expertise shines through, although I found some sections to be more tailored to an American audience. However, regardless of geographical location, this book is a valuable resource, offering information and insights.

One of the most unique and compelling aspects of "Let's Move the Needle" is its seamless integration of craft and activism. Downey skillfully demonstrates how craft can be a powerful tool for drawing attention to various causes and groups. It's inspiring to witness the dedication and passion of individuals who utilize craft to advocate for change.

As an introductory guide, this book not only provides readers with a solid foundation in both craft and activism but also serves as a catalyst for further exploration and personal growth. While it may not delve deeply into every topic, it encourages readers to develop their own craftivism initiatives. Moreover, the activities and challenges presented in the book offer a unique opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth, helping readers better understand themselves and their role as activists.

Overall, "Let's Move the Needle" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of craft and activism. It is an accessible introduction to this dynamic field, inspiring readers to take action and make a difference in their communities. I am grateful to NetGalley and Story Publishing for providing me with an e-book copy of "Let's Move the Needle" in exchange for an honest review.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for providing a copy of this book.

As someone who has a keen interest in the news, who cares about humans and protecting those with quieter or no voice at all, and is also a crafter, I thought this would be the perfect book for me just from the title.
I didn't really know what to expect - I think I thought it might be autobiographical around the author's own 'craftivism'. And there was some of that, but there was so much more.
Shannon gives amazing examples of real-life ways in which craft has been used to make a difference throughout history. I loved this as I genuinely thought that this was more of a recent practice, which is also covered with lots of examples from all over the world.
These examples of successful uses of craft in this way are very inspirational, especially now when the world seems quite a bleak place. You feel that if they can make a difference, then why can't I?!
But, once you have the inspiration, where then? I can imagine that there is a vast amount of ideas lost before they've truly formed or have been left when they ran out of steam or focus.
And this is where this book truly comes into its own.
Shannon provides a raft of exercises and activities to help you really get to the core of the area in which you want to focus your activism, why you have chosen that area, and what you need to do to move forward. There is a lot of active reflection required from the reader - you will not be passive in this.
This is the kind of book that you need to give real thought and time to, as it should be if we really want to make a meaningful change.

[Shireen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Craftivism as a form of social protest has become quite a mainstream idea in today's society, but understanding what that actually means is likely a bit confusing for some. Author Shannon Downey has years of experience as a creator/maker for social change, and with this book she really puts her money where her mouth is. As a handbook I thought this was wonderfully curated and organised, even going so far as to include project-building worksheets, thoughtful prompts, and activities for self-reflection.

Downey goes through a really useful framework for teaching the reader how to grow and develop their own personal activism ethos, how to get comfortable at participating in making change, and understanding intersectionality in the creative sphere. I found it so helpful as a guide in figuring out, step-by-baby-step, how to come to terms with my strengths and weaknesses in building creative momentum and determining where my focus should lie when it comes to issues I'm passionate about advocating for.

I've never thought of myself as a craftivist before, but after reading this handbook and getting a handle on what that term really encompasses I can honestly say that my art and community-building efforts will be more effectively channeled into my passion projects and dialed in to the issues that mean the most to me.

Thanks to NetGalley, author Shannon Downey, and Storey Publishing for providing me with an advance digital readers copy of this book for free to read and review. All opinions are my own and provided voluntarily.

[Haerlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Create change in the world with this inspiring guide to social activism, from the artist and craftivist behind Badass Cross Stitch.

Craftivism, or the space where art and activism meet, is a powerful, ever-evolving social justice movement that continues to grow and diversify as more voices and mediums take part in it. In Let's Move the Needle, Shannon Downey, an outspoken voice in the craftivist movement for over a decade, provides a roadmap and accessible toolkit for burgeoning art activists.

Filled with self-reflective activities, exercises, prompts, and stories, Let's Move the Needle educates and empowers creatives to center their art around collective action in service of political, social or community issues they are most passionate about; affirming that everyone can be a changemaker and that change-making can be generative, enjoyable, and a bit sassy!

It's evident that this book was written by a "maker." It provides clear instructions and actionable steps for incorporating activism and crafting into one's daily life. The book is vibrant and reader-friendly. I would suggest it to community organizers, nonprofit workers, consultants, and anyone interested in blending art with their life and community work—activism is sure to follow.

[Evilblacksheep · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Let's get this out of the way this book is first and foremost a book about activism, and very light on the craft side of craftivism. That being said, it's a great ressource for whoever wants to become more involved in activism. It's easy to read and provides clear information even for beginners on the topic. As long as you know what you're going in for by picking up this book, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

If the exemples and some of the info will be mostly relevant to people in the US, a lot of it can be easily transposed in other countries too with a bit of research. A big part of it is also a series of introspective exercises to learn what you really wanna get involved in and how to make the appropriate choices to focus on your goalpost.

Overall a great read to get familiar (or more involved) with activism. You also might wanna check out the author's instagram account, BadAssCrossStitch, to see more of her work, as the book only offers a glimpse into it.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fascinating Book. I had not expected this to be about how to get involved in activism, how to decide what you want to be active about, how to figure out whether you have the money/time to commit to the cause, and so much more. There are ideas of how you can use crafts to promote your causes. I will admit this did give me a great insight on how to plan out whether a cause is something I can get involved in. There are some lovely anecdotes about the author's personal experiences, as well as their motto that someone else will pick up your cause if you need to step back. I would recommend this book if you are thinking about getting into activism, or if you are having trouble managing your activism activities.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am struggling with how to rate this book, bc I guess I was expecting an entirely different book based on the back cover description and my public library's tag of "Self-Improvement."
I wanted (and still need) inspiration for individual projects and guidance on how to carry them out on my own, solo. In other words, I was hoping for a guide on how to process my emotions and feelings around global and political changes, then learn how to apply those feelings and insights to my work. Instead, it gives advice and guidance on exactly how to plan and lead a GROUP project, which is important info, but just not useful to me and not at all what I was expecting. This book is a guide for creating and then guiding a unique collective campaign or action. Humph.

[Chai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book for anyone who wants to get stuff done in a joyful, efficient, and impactful way that is grounded in your values. It's jam-packed with information while being easy to read at the same time . It was so refreshing to read a book about activism that has so much joy and hope!

This book has:
- history of craftivism (it goes waaaay back)
- how to choose your type of activism
- self-reflection exercises
- planning templates
- tons of gorgeous art
- personal stories from the author, Shannon Downey aka Badass Cross Stitch
- humor
- so much more

Highly recommend for anyone who wants to make the world a better place.

[Macaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I was expecting more craft ideas, this book is really a guide to figuring out how to use your own craft skills to benefit the cause you want to support. She has a chapter where she walks you through figuring out which cause you should use your skills, because you might support many causes, but with this you want to concentrate on only one so you don’t over stretch yourself. The last part of the book includes planning templates to get you started. This could be a good book for someone who crafts and wants to get involved, but isn’t sure where to start.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the copy.

[Cow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not at all what I was expecting! While it does touch a bit on the craft side, this is much more a handbook on finding your activism. It goes through working on yourself to figure out your goals and what calls to you, how to find and form groups, how to learn the topic, and then how to make a difference. And it does so with a lot of examples along the way. All good.

Any book of this sort will lean a little hard into the author's personal experience, and this was a bit hard; it can get very US-centric, very sort of social-media-based stuff. A lot of hashtags. But she does her best to get examples from outside that sphere as well.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a foundational tome for how creativity/crafting can be also be an act of activism. Downey is a seasoned and committed activist who is also endlessly open and willing to share/help/care for others. I've been part of her membership program and have cannot even begin to calculate all the ways in which her work has helped me get involved and feel more like myself. This book is a perfect entry point to her work/mission/ethos. She is incredibly talented and inspiring.

ARC from the publisher via NetGalley, but the opinions are my own.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

1000% yes to this book!! I need a paper copy so I can see the photos, and I'd like to work through the workbook-esque elements of the book that I didn't do while listening to the audiobook. Overall, I think every artist, activist, and aspiring artist/crafter/activist should read this book.

P.S. There was a quote in here about how hatred is lazy but I don't have the paper copy so I don't know exactly what it is. If anyone reads this after me I'd love it if they added that to the quotes list for this book!

[Jocelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really easy to read and straightforward book on the history of crafts in activism and how you can start working craftivism into your life. The back is a workbook for you to put some things into practice. Would be useful for someone who likes making things and wants to use visual items to attract attention to their causes.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review, but all opinions are my own.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been following BadAssCrossStich on Instagram for years. I though the book was an interesting breakdown of figuring out a cause that your are passionate about and figuring out how to realistically do the activism work around it. I wish there was a bit more stuff about crafting in it but it's written such that you can run with the ideas that the most sense with your craft and cause.

Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

[Danielle Mccoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

What a life changer- If you want it to be! Places to go craft and activist, ideas on how to get your voice heard, real life examples and worksheets to get your s.m.a.r.t. goals going. This book is one I'm going to have to buy and use to be a better more active in social justice person.

[Kat]

I got 60% of the way thru this book before the library loan took it back. Personally, I didn’t find anything particularly craft specific in the portion of the book I read. It’s a decent handbook on how to go about managing projects, but I doubt I’ll borrow it from the library again to finish it off.

[Maggie Hendricks Gaines · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved diving into this book because of the practical and actionable way Shannon Downey writes. She understands what struggles people have in becoming activists, and guides readers to move past those in a joyful way. I walked away from reading this with so much hope.