craftivism

Craftivism is a blend of the words craft—as in arts and crafts and handicrafts like knitting—and activism. Performers of craftivism, called craftivists, will fashion items that are then used in political protests or in support of social causes.

For instance, craftivists might stitch quilts or banners that are then used at gathered protests or picket lines. Craftivists might engage in a form of street art known as yarn bombing, where large amounts of yarn and fabric are used to cover public objects or areas (e.g., light posts, fire hydrants) and nature (e.g., tree branches and trunks).

Despite the name, craftivism has also been used to help in causes that wouldn’t strictly be considered political activism. Some examples include craftivists knitting hats for patients with cancer or teaching prison inmates to craft so their creations can be sold to raise funds for charity.

The word craftivism has been credited to writer Betsy Greer, who created the website in Craftivism.com in 2003. Greer defines craftivism as “a way of looking at life where voicing opinions through creativity makes your voice stronger, your compassion deeper & your quest for justice more infinite.” She also defines it, less philosophically, as “the practice of engaged creativity, especially regarding political or social causes.” Greer wrote about craftivism in two books released in 2008 and 2014. Her second book, Craftivism: The Art of Craft and Activism, not only explained the theory behind craftivism but also profiled worldwide craftivists.

While craftivism had existed since the early 2000s—and the act itself is much older than the term, with the AIDS Quilt one prominent example—the term garnered mainstream attention in coverage of the 2017 Women’s March on Washington after the inauguration of Donald Trump. Women protestors notably created and wore pink knit hats, known as pussyhats, in a craftivist protests inspired in part by misogynistic remarks from Donald Trump.