September 2022

The title of my new book is A Call to Needles. The subtitle is more informing – Acts of Craftivism and Crafted Kindness in the Age of Trump.

From the time Donald Trump sailed down the gold elevator in Trump Tower to announce his run for president, many of us sensed a disturbance in the force, even if we were convinced he would not win the presidency. In this context, think of the word force as the aura surrounding every woman.

To be clear, I am quite sure the Age of Trump began long before that descent on the escalator (ooh – I never noticed the irony in that “descent”) and even though he is no longer occupying the oval office, we have not yet safely navigated into a new Age, and it is too soon to predict when that will happen. The Age of Trump marches on.

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I was encouraged and taught to love various forms of needlework by two grandmothers, and I share part of my backstory in the book because I believe it is not at all unique. Like many of you, I always have multiple works in progress and a long list of things I want to knit, sew, quilt, crochet, or embroider.

My Call to Needles came soon after the 2016 election when I began knitting Pussyhats for the Women’s March in DC, held the day after the 45th president was inaugurated into office. It became an act of craftivism when I participated in the march, part of that sea of pink hats. I honestly don’t remember if I signed up for the march first or discovered the call for hat-making first. The two have become so intertwined in my mind.

I began to research and look for other ways to use the skills I possess to participate in protecting democracy. My skill set is very fiber-centered so that is where my search took me. The more I looked, the more I found. I was impressed enough to believe that many of these incredible people and their efforts deserved more attention. I began writing about them for a couple of reasons. First, as a way to honor them. I am so thrilled to introduce and share them with as many new people as possible. And second, to perhaps inspire a reader to hear their personal Call to Needles. You may want to participate in one of the projects mentioned or create your own.

One of my contributions to the Tiny Pricks Project, documenting  Trump’s daily word salad. This was an official presidential tweet, aimed at North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.

There are two components to the book’s subtitle, Acts of Craftivism and Crafted Kindness because there was a variety of responses to observed injustices in this era from those of us who create things with needles and fiber. The book begins with background about our attitudes toward our crafts, the personal nature of needlework, and a brief history of the ways we have used it to speak our truths. I also take a look at the concept of creativity. Is it a product of nature or nurture – can it be taught – how can we unleash it?

I see the subtitle represents two ends of a spectrum.

Acts of Craftivism include resistance crafting, which typically takes crafted products and puts them in a public space with a clear message that is difficult to ignore and helps move conversations toward consensus and change. Examples of resistance crafting include the Kudzu Project and Knitting Nannas Against Gas in Australia, among many highlighted in chapter 6.

Moving along that spectrum, you will find people crafting for a cause, to bring attention to specific efforts intended to improve the lives of others. The Mourning Project was created to focus awareness on infant mortality in the US; the Tempestry Project brings our attention to climate change; the Violet Protest reminds members of Congress that they represent us and we encourage them to do their job!

The 5 squares I made for the Violet Protest.

Thousands of crafted squares were collected by the end of 2021, made in equal parts red and blue using a variety of techniques–enough to send 25 pieces to each member of the 117th Congress. You can see more of these beauties on the Violet Protest website. They were cataloged, tracked, and rightfully treated like art. A documentary is being made about this project and I will update you on that as I learn more. They even kept a record of who received each square.

At the Crafted Kindness end of the spectrum are people trying to bring comfort where needed. Some of the projects in chapter 7 existed before the Age of Trump but recommitted their efforts to adjust to the times, including pandemic protocols. Organizations like Warm up America expanded, adding Made With Love events. The Giving Doll, like so many other projects, paused to make masks and PPE.

Other endeavors, like the Welcome Blankets, span the spectrum, providing donated, handmade blankets to immigrants and refugees, while making a strong statement about the strength in our nation’s diversity, patriotically pushing back against nationalism.

There are many more examples in the book. I will update here as needed because busy minds keep planning and busy hands keep making. We’ll try to keep up.

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I discuss the personal nature of our needlework in chapter 3 of the book. There is an interesting phenomenon I have noticed where the events in our life become embedded in the work of our needles. I can connect most of my projects to whatever was happening in the world, or my smaller world when I was working on that project. They are inseparable and I like that. It gives an added element and value to that finished work, even if the connection is painful.

If your crafting energy is anything like mine, and I am confident we share many commonalities, you had a needlework project or five going in June 2015. Since that time:

  • What have your needles created?
  • Have you been wielding your needle(s) in the same way, making the things that call your name?
  • Did you make items to give away to family, friends, or charities?
  • What did you create during the isolating pandemic lockdowns?
  • Did you rediscover and finish a long-abandoned project?
  • Did you discover your inner craftivist (defined in chapter 5) and make something intended as a form of protest or to start a difficult conversation?
  • Have your needles been in hyper-drive as a coping mechanism?

Yes to all of these for me.

  • Or did you lose your crafting mojo and put the needles in a time-out? (It happened to many.)
  • Did you find your way back to your favorite needles?

I give several examples of the personal nature of our needlework in chapter 3, but now I am curious and hope you will share in the comments, what your needles have been making during the Age of Trump.  Please share the why (motivation) as well, with pictures, if possible. Let’s keep this energy flowing. Use #WhatMyNeedlesMade on my FB page or Instagram.