It’s not obvious that someone knitting in front of their television could be trying to save the world. But they could be. “Craftivism” – the use of craft for activism – is experiencing a surge. Craftivist Sarah Corbett has recently published a book on the topic, How to be a Craftivist, which will sit in the craftivist library alongside other recent titles such as Protest Knits, Really Cross Stitch, and Crafting the Resistance. Sure, craft is quiet, and repetitive, and it’s often done inside and alone, but it’s proving to be an effective means of campaigning for change.
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| Knitting nannas celebrate 100 consecutive weeks of protesting against CSG mining in NSW. |
Craftivism has already played a memorable role in protesting US President Trump at Women’s Marches around the world. In reference to the uncouth comment Trump made about “grabbing” women “by the pussy”, protesters handmade and wore “pussy hats” (pink and shaped like cat’s ears). They made a strong visual statement – a sea of pink-clad crowns – to show Trump the collective force of those women he degraded.
Read the comment by Erin Stewart in The Age - “Stick to your knitting, a gentle and crafty way to change the world.”
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