This winter I discovered the therapeutic power of knitting in neon.
Not being a neon-wearing person myself, I found the ideal projects for channeling my need for bright colors: kiddie hats for #chasethechillmoscow and bright pink PussyHats for Women’s Marches around the country.
I also used these projects to improve my continental knitting speed and to learn new techniques, such as the folded hem and the three-needle bind off.
It was particularly rewarding to be part of the PussyHat Project. I was unable to be at the Women’s March on Washington but still wanted to participate in some way. So I did some stash busting and made three PussyHats over the winter holidays.
No sooner had I mailed them off to Washington, then I found out that there would be a local Women’s March on the Palouse and sister marches all over the country. I offered to make hats for local friends and acquaintances and soon had eight more hats on the go. This really forced me to get my knit on as I had less than two weeks to finish the hats!
The Women’s March on the Palouse was a huge success with sunny weather and over 2,600 marchers in attendance!
Being part of the Women’s March and the PussyHat Project reminded me that there are millions of courageous people around the world ready to stand up for women’s rights and human rights. We may feel demoralized at times but there is brightness in the darkness and we need to hold on to that.
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
— J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Kudos to you and J.K. Rowling. Within each of us burns a courageous candle that cannot be extinguished by tyranny and oppression. Here’s to remembering to turn on more lights by proudly displaying your own blazing candle.
Thank you for your beautiful words!