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Radical craft in Get Creative
Do you read Get Creative? It’s the craft mag from Spotlight and it’s got some pretty cool stuff in it. While the magazine is very much targetted around promoting Spotlight products it does have a fantastic local focus and it’s a great way to learn about some of the incredible designers and artists working in Australia and elsewhere.
Each month Get Creative has a special theme and last month the theme was Yarn. And in a moment of awesomeness, they decided to do an article on political craft! You can download a copy of the article here, which includes Lisa Anne Auerbach, me!, Betsy Greer, Cat Mazza and Magda Sayeg.
I also contributed a review of Betsy’s book, ‘Knitting for Good’. The final copy they printed was a bit cut down, but here’s the original review:
Knitting for Good!
By Betsy Greer
Reviewed by Rayna FaheyOne of the wonderful consequences of the resurgence of craft, particularly amongst young people is the rapidly expanding craft sections in our local bookshops. What’s particularly refreshing is the wide range of contemporary pattern books; utilising interesting new materials and genuinely innovative spins on traditional techniques. But while there is plenty of discussion in our craft groups about the benefits of craft, there hasn’t been too many books written on the subject.
Until now.
Knitting for Good is a beautifully written tale of the personal, local an global benefits of craft. While this book still contains patterns, the focus is definitely on the story. And as a non-knitter I can definitely say this book is for anyone who crafts, not just the fans of the clicking needles..
Divided into three sections: “Knitting for Yourself” “Knitting for Your Community” and “Knitting for The World”, Greer takes the reader on a personal journey as a knitter and as an activist. Starting from her own background in the Riot Grrl DiY scene we read how a staunch young feminist embraces a traditional domestic craft in a way that doesn’t betray her political beliefs but rather, enhances it.
A major highlight of the book is the sidebar sections written by various people who have inspired Betsy’s book. The sidebars compliment the text beautifully and truly demonstrate the importance of community within the craft movement. As a last minute addition to the book, the sidebars definitely complete the story.
Next time someone scoffs your crafting, you can proudly raise your chin and declare “I’m saving the world”.
Finally one of the best aspects of the book is the production. With a gorgeous handmade cover the book is filled with lovely illustrations and a nice cottage feel. This book is a perfect read for an overcast Sunday afternoon, with a lovely cup of tea and your latest craft project within arms reach.
G’arn, go buy a copy!
Home Sweet Home?
Got this awesome email from Sean McFarlane who is studying design in Edinburgh (the Scottish one).
“I am currently in the middle/final throes of my final year design project & I am focusing on politically motivated design. One of the pieces I have designed & created is a cross stitch highlighting the issue of Israeli occupation in Palestine & the demolition of Palestinian homes.”
Sean also sent this nice WiP shot which I really like. I do love artists that share their process!
And of course I am especially impressed with the clever interpretation of such a classic design. I think the world needs a lot more subversions of the home sweet home!
Check out the Curious Cat for more about Sean and his work.
Proper tea is theft
I made this tea cozy the other day, with a little help from the internet for tutorials and my cousin for some of the materials. The cross stitch is pretty simple and something I’ve been working on since around May Day. I really like how it turned out. I found the picture at Radical Graphics and then turned it into a pattern.
Except it’s awesome cuteness, I also like the notion of that something is brewing – that underneath the surface we can create our own little pockets of resistance and counter culture and that one day, it might boil over into the rest of society.
You wanna make you’re own tea cozy? Here’s a tutorial and here’s the pattern that I used for this one:
Or just make up your own pattern!
Embroidery Porn
This is probably going to be my least safe for work post ever, so if you’re looking at this at work. Make sure you’re the IT guy, or the boss – unless you’re a primary school principal…
So last night the Craft Cartel hosted the second Trashbag Rehab – craft workshops for people overdosed on cutesy crap. And like the first one, it was packed. We even had to turn a fair number of people away this time. It was craziness! I was most impressed at how seriously every one took it. At one point I thought ‘gee it’s a bit quiet..’ and then I realised it was just that everyone was concentrating so hard! Love it.
We even dragged out the boys in blue. I understand it was a noise complaint. But they were wooed with a serenade and a breasty embroidery gift to take back to the watchhouse. Even the police need nice walls, people. But I reckon no one should tell the Herald Sun eh?
So on to the pictures..
That last one is one of the demonstration models made by me before the event. And it’s for sale. G’arn you know you want to.
UPDATE: Our porn made it to the hallowed arrrrts page of The Age, hello visitors!