craftivism

Some of you may remember that last fall I knitted 75 smoothie-sized hats, using tiny needles and any stash yarn I could lay my hands on. Innocent Drinks, my favourite smoothie company, called for the hats as a fundraiser for Age Concern, a UK charity that helps keep older people warm in the winter. They sell the hat-wearing smoothies in stores, and for each hatted smoothie bought, Innocent donates 50 pence to Age Concern. They’ve been doing this since 2003, and last year knitters sent in 506,768 hats, which raised £253,384. I bought Innocent smoothies all the time when I lived in the UK, and I love knitting, so I pulled out my needles and went to work. (As the photo shows, I went crazy. There were stripes, colour blocks, berry-shaped hats, and even some simple intarsia patterns. I even got a letter from Innocent saying they liked the variety of my patterns!)

I’m planning to knit little hats again this year – I’ve got my size-2 needles and scrap yarn ready – but I’m putting that off for a couple of weeks in favour of some more craftivism. Nest Maine began last year in response to skyrocketing heating oil prices in Maine – knitters from all over the place banded together and sent in hats, scarves, cowls, blankets and mittens. I read about it on SouleMama’s blog recently, and have cast on a little merino-blend hat for someone in Maine.

I love projects like this. I love using my hands to do some good for other people, when so often my hands and my brain work just for me. I love employing a skill and a hobby to help someone else. And I love seeing what beautiful, fun things I can create out of stash yarn and a little spare time.

I’ll post some project photos when I’m a bit farther along. Meanwhile, if you knit or crochet, check out the Web pages above and see how you can do a little “craftivism” of your own.

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