Knitting and Craftivism as Tools of Activism in Portland and Beyond
In October 2025, Tracy Wright organized weekly knit-ins outside the Portland, Oregon ICE facility, collaborating with fellow knitters who formed the group Knitters Against Fascism. These gatherings provided a calm, visible counter-narrative to heightened tensions in Portland, where Donald Trump had ordered National Guard deployment to protect ICE facilities, claiming they were under siege by anti-fascists and other domestic terrorists.
Michele Lee Bernstein contributed by designing a Portland Frog hat, sharing patterns online, while a local church group raised $550 for a food bank through hat sales, with Bernstein donating an additional $100 from her own sales to the Northeast Emergency Food Program.
Shannon Downey transitioned from private embroidery to activism, raising about $5,000 during a Project Fire fundraiser with embroidered works. Approximately 2,000 followers also mailed her embroidered guns, symbolizing engagement and solidarity. Downey explains that craftivism centers joy and sustainable organizing by building communities beyond anger.
The term craftivism was coined in 2003 by Betsy Greer, with notable historical examples including the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo and the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Johns Hopkins political scientist Hahrie Han, a 2025 MacArthur Fellow, notes that movement-building depends on solidarity across groups and enduring social-relational commitments.
Pussyhat imagery became a symbol of identity and allegiance during early protests, representing just one element of broader activism as noted by Downey.
Other craft initiatives mentioned include the Loose End Project, Knit the Rainbow, and the Liberty Crochet Project. Knitting for Olive, a mother-daughter Danish yarn brand co-owned by Caroline Larsen and Pernille, raised $828,868 in one weekend for UNICEF Gaza relief in August 2025, continuing their fundraising efforts that began in 2020 to support Black Lives Matter after George Floyd's murder. They emphasize that donations remain central to their mission, using their craft to support humanitarian causes worldwide.
