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Protest Knits: Got needles? Get knitting
Are you in despair? Want to work out your issues with some wool? Stay in the loop and protest in style!
Knitting and handicrafts have a long history in protesting. The pussy hat project taking protests by storm has been particularly successful, but it joins a long tradition of crafty activism. In Canada, there's the Revolutionary Knitting Circle, which first made headlines for their protest at the 2002 G8 summit. Australia has the Knitting Nannas, who protest about environmental issues by holding "knit-ins." In the UK, activists from Wool Against Weapons knitted a seven-mile-long pink "peace scarf" to protest against the country's Trident nuclear weapon program. Then, a year later, they re-purposed it into thousands of blankets for those in need in war-zones and developing nations. And down in Chile, it's the hombres tejedores (knitting men) who break down stereotypes and teach other men to embrace the creative hobby.
In cities across the world, "yarn bombing" reclaims urban spaces with a pair of needles, covering everyday items in brightly colored knits. Like other forms of graffiti, yarn bombing can convey a message of protest--or it can just be street art for the sake of art. Knitting for change is a global activity.
It's time to get your needles and hooks out and change the world. From pussy hats to protest scarfs and voodoo dolls to seriously stylish sweaters, Protest Knits is the book for you. From the easy peasy to the more complex, there are more than 15 projects for some crafty therapy
- Pussy hat
- Trump pincushion
- Voodoo doll (to customize to the politician of your choice!)
- Nasty Woman mittens
- Perpetually Worried sweater
- If You Can Read This I Smashed the Patriarchy socks
- Dedicated Follower of Anti-Fascism cushion cover
- Nevertheless She Persisted baby hat
Knitting and handicrafts have a long history in protesting. The pussy hat project taking protests by storm has been particularly successful, but it joins a long tradition of crafty activism. In Canada, there's the Revolutionary Knitting Circle, which first made headlines for their protest at the 2002 G8 summit. Australia has the Knitting Nannas, who protest about environmental issues by holding "knit-ins." In the UK, activists from Wool Against Weapons knitted a seven-mile-long pink "peace scarf" to protest against the country's Trident nuclear weapon program. Then, a year later, they re-purposed it into thousands of blankets for those in need in war-zones and developing nations. And down in Chile, it's the hombres tejedores (knitting men) who break down stereotypes and teach other men to embrace the creative hobby.
In cities across the world, "yarn bombing" reclaims urban spaces with a pair of needles, covering everyday items in brightly colored knits. Like other forms of graffiti, yarn bombing can convey a message of protest--or it can just be street art for the sake of art. Knitting for change is a global activity.
It's time to get your needles and hooks out and change the world. From pussy hats to protest scarfs and voodoo dolls to seriously stylish sweaters, Protest Knits is the book for you. From the easy peasy to the more complex, there are more than 15 projects for some crafty therapy
- Pussy hat
- Trump pincushion
- Voodoo doll (to customize to the politician of your choice!)
- Nasty Woman mittens
- Perpetually Worried sweater
- If You Can Read This I Smashed the Patriarchy socks
- Dedicated Follower of Anti-Fascism cushion cover
- Nevertheless She Persisted baby hat
96 pages, Hardcover
Published November 21, 2017
13 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 27, 2019
Cute and has some fun projects. Also includes info for beginning stitchers of both knit and crochet.
Hope to revisit when I'm ready for a new project.
Hope to revisit when I'm ready for a new project.
January 23, 2020
Need to rename this book “Anti Trump Knitting”. Literally no other protest slogans or symbols are used. Could have done so much more.
October 27, 2019
I liked it. Definitely more of a pattern book than a learn-to-knit book, but still a range of pattern skill levels, including basic ones. Definitely more left leaning (as one might expect with a book titled "Protest Knits") so take that into consideration if it bothers you.
I haven't made any patterns from it yet, but there are a few I like and would probably make: the Nasty Woman mitts, Down With Bad Stuff flask holder, and Very Upset flip-top mitts. I like the We Shall Over Con(m)e cover too - punny yarn-bombing! The pin cushion made me chuckle too, but I'm not a crocheter, so not one I'd make. And of course, the iconic Pussy Hat is included (though there are also a million variations on Ravelry if you want something a little different).
Like a lot of pattern books, it's not one I'd buy for myself - pretty much I have to want to make all the patterns for that - but it's definitely one I like having in my library's collection.
I haven't made any patterns from it yet, but there are a few I like and would probably make: the Nasty Woman mitts, Down With Bad Stuff flask holder, and Very Upset flip-top mitts. I like the We Shall Over Con(m)e cover too - punny yarn-bombing! The pin cushion made me chuckle too, but I'm not a crocheter, so not one I'd make. And of course, the iconic Pussy Hat is included (though there are also a million variations on Ravelry if you want something a little different).
Like a lot of pattern books, it's not one I'd buy for myself - pretty much I have to want to make all the patterns for that - but it's definitely one I like having in my library's collection.
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January 29, 2021Interesting and colorful book of patterns (knit & crochet) and activism.
January 8, 2025
Good basic knitting and crochet instructions. Some cute patterns.
March 2, 2025
It's not really my thing. "Nasty woman" and pussy hats are not for me, but I am sure it's a great book for those who these projects speak to.
March 22, 2018
I'm known at work for being someone who talks about feminism, knitting, and intersectionality pretty much every day. One day I arrived at my desk to find this book with a kind note from a coworker; she'd found it on a bookstore's bargain table and bought it for me (she's the best, truly).
As a book, Protest Knits is really cute and spunky, and I don't mean that in a mean way. It IS cute! The mix of knitting and crochet patterns is helpful (and rare!) in crafting books, and I appreciate that inclusion of both yarn-adjacent crafts. The patterns seem accessible and good for beginner to intermediate crafters (I've been knitting for 20+ years and crocheting for 8+, so my take on 'beginner' might be a bit skewed). I wouldn't make or wear everything in the book but I support the people who will and do.
My personal favourite pieces are a pair of mittens (knit) that read "VERY UPSET" (basically made for me) and a Trump octopus pincushion (crochet). The crocheted hair really put this one over the top for me (it's VERY swooshy). Patterns also include pieces suitable for yarnbombing and public or community fiber art pieces. Overall, a nice variety for a pretty niche crafting community.
As a book, Protest Knits is really cute and spunky, and I don't mean that in a mean way. It IS cute! The mix of knitting and crochet patterns is helpful (and rare!) in crafting books, and I appreciate that inclusion of both yarn-adjacent crafts. The patterns seem accessible and good for beginner to intermediate crafters (I've been knitting for 20+ years and crocheting for 8+, so my take on 'beginner' might be a bit skewed). I wouldn't make or wear everything in the book but I support the people who will and do.
My personal favourite pieces are a pair of mittens (knit) that read "VERY UPSET" (basically made for me) and a Trump octopus pincushion (crochet). The crocheted hair really put this one over the top for me (it's VERY swooshy). Patterns also include pieces suitable for yarnbombing and public or community fiber art pieces. Overall, a nice variety for a pretty niche crafting community.
January 22, 2018
This is a book for people wanting to start exploring protest knitting. It is more at the protest knitting end of the spectrum, but could still be considered craftivist. Many of the knits contain slogans, although there is a pattern for Shy anarchist socks. It is also a book for those new to knitting and crochet with a section at the front covering basic knitting and crochet stitches and abbreviations.
June 19, 2018
I don't usually cite a knitting book for its clever writing but this one has it going! Combined with fun, funky, and activist knitting and crocheting projects - you can't lose, right? If nothing else, this book will spark your creativity, protest or not. The Trump Pin Cushion (I thought it was a voodoo doll..) and the Treehugger Scarf are among my many favorites from this book!
December 8, 2017
a range of knits to make for your protest - many projects that can be attempted even by a novice knitter
July 24, 2018
Fun!
I really liked this book! The things you can craft are so cute and the stories are interesting and inspiring!
I really liked this book! The things you can craft are so cute and the stories are interesting and inspiring!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews