Knitting as a means of political and social expression: when wool becomes a soft weapon

Introduction

Think knitting is just for relaxing in front of a TV series? What if we told you that every stitch could carry a powerful message? For several years, knitting has been making its way into political, feminist, and social spheres, becoming a true means of engagement.

At Knit-sis , we grew up with needles in hand, but also with the conviction that each knitting project can tell a story, assert an idea, and shake things up.

In this article, we dissect how knitting is asserting itself as a tool for political expression – and how you too, with your needles , can participate in this gentle but powerful movement.

Why is knitting political?

A traditional art that breaks the rules

Long confined to the home, knitting was perceived as a "domestic" activity, therefore without value in the public space. However, it is precisely this image of gentleness and passivity that today makes it a subversive weapon . Transforming a feminine and traditional gesture into a tool for public action means turning the stigma against those who impose it.

The Pussyhats: Icon of a Woolen Revolt

The Pussyhat Project (2017) is arguably the best recent example of activist knitting. Thousands of hand-knitted pink hats took to the streets during the Women's March to protest Donald Trump's misogynistic remarks.

Why did it work? Because it was visual, collective, handmade, and accessible to all.

Why is knitting an effective political tool?

Knitting is a political act because it combines creativity, community, and accessibility. It allows for powerful messages to be conveyed through a gentle and unexpected medium.

Knitting to protest, remember, raise awareness

Knitting chains for peace. Squares for human rights. Vests to raise awareness of the homeless. Knitting also serves as a way to remember, to protest peacefully, or to raise awareness of the forgotten. It thus embodies a powerful collective and symbolic gesture .

Knitting as a means of feminist affirmation

Revaluing female know-how

Knitting also means saying: this knowledge passed down by our grandmothers has value. Using it to convey a message is affirming an identity, a sector, and a resilience.

At Knit-sis , each pattern is a declaration of love for this family heritage, but also an act of reappropriation. We are proud to say that the Festi cardigan , with its bright colors, is more than a garment: it is a manifesto of joy, freedom, and creativity.

Dress to assert your identity

A multi-colored sweater like the Mondrian or an intarsia message like on the Noddy Baguette Sweater can become a silent cry:

"I'm here, I'm unique, and I show it."

Knitting your own clothes means rejecting fast fashion, demanding responsible consumption, and asserting your personal style and autonomy.

How to knit for a cause?

1. Choose a project that makes sense

Start with a piece that attracts attention, use it as a medium: to ask a question, to wear a symbol, to make a fight visible. Or to support a cause by then putting your project up for auction and donating the proceeds to a good cause? There are plenty of ways to make knitting more political.

2. Use social media to amplify

Post your creations with socially engaged hashtags: #CommittedKnitting, #Craftivism, #FeministKnitting. Explain the message behind your piece. This gives your work a public profile.

3. Knit together to create a bond

Organize a Knit-in (a group knitting session in a public space). Gather around a project, such as a blanket made from squares sent from around the world.

Knitting can build bridges. And you can be the common thread ❤️

Knitting as a gentle medium for delicate debates

When gentleness opens difficult dialogues

In a world saturated with conflict and aggressive debate, knitting introduces a subversive tenderness . It invites us to slow down, to discuss, to create together. And sometimes, that's exactly what's needed to convey strong ideas without causing tension.

Knitting is about taking the time to think. To reflect. To weave ideas together, both literally and figuratively.

Conclusion: What if you took it one stitch at a time?

At Knit-sis , we believe every stitch counts. That's why we design patterns that let you express who you are—with joy, color, and sometimes, activism.

Do you want to create a cardigan that champions inclusivity? A sweater that affirms your identity? Or simply reconnect with an ancestral gesture that makes sense today?