Did you know that back when colonial Americans were protesting against the British for their independence, knitting played a significant role in this revolt? I recently picked up the book Knitting America and was so interested to learn about the history of political knitting. Way before the Revolutionary War actually began, the colonists were fighting for their freedom from the Brits by trying to buy nothing from them, trying to sustain themselves as best they could, by spinning their own yarn and knitting/weaving all of their own clothing. Back in 1769 there was an official ban against British goods, so women got seriously organized with huge spinning and knitting groups; it was up to them to keep everyone in the colonies clothed and warm!

So this 4th of July I have a new perspective thinking about the reason I'm eating my grilled veggie burger and drinking beer while watching fireworks. Now I really feel a connection to that time of our country's rebellion, being both a spinner and a knitter. Not that I can really imagine what it was like, of course, but I do love the feeling that I'm keeping alive this very important tradition in our country.

And although we don't have to spin and knit to keep clothed and hold onto our freedom anymore, knitting still does hold a part in revolutionary expression and protest. Check out Lisa Anne Auerbach's highly impressive political knitwear, and her blog: The Little Red Blog of Revlutionary Knitting.



Then there's The Revolutionary Knitting Circle, which knits to "liberate local communities from the shackles of global corporatism". And Betsy Greer is all about encouraging craftivism (craft + activism = craftivism).

The Columbia News Service has an article on various forms of protest through knitting - like Marianne Joergansen's tank blanket, made from 4000 knitted squares to protest Denmark's involvement in the Iraq war.



That top photo is of Dave Cole's Knitting Machine, which you can read about over here.

These are only a few examples of the amazing things being done by revolutionary fiber artists in the US and throughout the world. Any projects you've heard about (or even better, taken part in) that you want to share with us? Post them in the comments!