Stitch For Occupy

Hats for Occupy Tucson

2011-12-27T23:47:00.000-08:00

Earlier this month Thebes and I drove to Arizona to visit Occupy Tucson. I dropped off some knit hats. Thebes is documenting the protests and posting pictures on his Flickr page.

There was a good crowd there. They were allowed tents but not allowed to sleep overnight. The cops would come at 10:30pm to give citations to anyone sleeping in the park. So protesters would stand on the sidewalk to avoid getting a fine. In the last week they got evicted so are currently sleeping on the sidewalk.

This sign was one of my favorite.I made two Hothead hats.

Tuscon was warm during the day but at night it cooled down considerably.

The hats were gratefully received.

Dropping off hats to Occupy Santa Fe

2011-11-25T22:44:00.001-08:00

I made another knit hat.

Earlier this month Thebes and I went down to Occupy Santa Fe. They have a large tent for meetings, solar power and are allowed to camp in tents. Thebes camped out over the weekend. He's documenting his Occupy experiences at his Flickr page.Thebes took pics of two occupiers wearing my hats. Here's the stocking hat:

And here's me and an occupier wearing a tam.

The tams were quite a hit and they like wearing them like berets. It's great to deliver knit goodies in person. I've been told protesters would like fingerless gloves as well.

Occupy Tams

2011-11-20T00:14:00.001-08:00

I decide to mix things up and crochet some tams for the protesters.

These two hats went to Occupy Santa Fe.

Another Occupy Denver hat

2011-11-05T22:42:00.000-07:00

I finished one more hat for the Occupy Denver protesters.

Again I used the Hothead pattern (Ravelry link) from the Stitch and Bitch book. It's quite stretchy so will fit a variety of head sizes.

While cleaning off the bed to go to sleep I put my knee down and heard a distinct crack. Damn I broke a needle!

I've finished hats #4 and #5 and will soon cast on for another.

Knits for Occupy Denver

2011-10-30T23:07:00.000-07:00

My hubby Thebes and I went up to Occupy Denver this weekend to participate in the march and to donate supplies. Friday night we arrived in the city around midnight and decided to drive by the park before finding a hotel. We saw the protesters sleeping on the sidewalk and decided to drop off our goodies right then.

We had sleeping bags, clothes, emergency blankets and other warm supplies. Boy were they happy! One cold protester got teary when I gave him a -20 sleeping bag which made me teary and then we both laughed and hugged. Donating supplies feels so good and is good for the soul.
In the excitement of donating I forgot to give away the knit goods. So Sunday before we left we dropped off these:

I almost forgot to take pictures; these were taken at the hotel.

I went with the Hothead pattern (Ravelry link) from the Stitch and Bitch book.

Thebes models a hat for me.

This pattern is a quick knit and the stretchiness means it will fit a variety of head sizes. I'm a slow knitter and I felt like these hats went fast for me.

I finished another hat at the hotel and will post pics soon. The furry scarf was an old scarf of mine that I never wear. The other scarf and hat are from the Taos Free Box.

I told the protesters I was a knitter and had knit for them. It means a lot to me when people appreciate my handmade items. And they were so grateful-lots of thank yous and hugs. I had all the items in a bag and had a note about washing the knits and my email.

On the drive back from Denver I crocheted a tam to donate.

Occupy hat

2011-10-25T20:51:00.000-07:00

Designer Naomi Parkhurst designed this Occupy Hat pattern to make for the Occupy protesters. It's a free pattern on Ravelry. This is TopHat in her version:

What a super cute pattern! The ribbing represents the letters of Occupy in number form.

If you have pictures of your Stitch For Occupy goodies please send them to me at stitchforoccupy @gmail .com Also, if you have items and are not sure where to send them send me an email and I'll find you an address.

Ladies and Gentlemen-Start your Needles!

2011-10-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

OccupyWallStreet is going strong and spreading worldwide! In the colder parts of the globe protesters will be braving lower and lower temps as winter sets in.

As a knitter I want to make warm hats for them. Surely I'm not the only one. Just think-a cold, tired protester gets some handmade gloves to wear while holding their sign. Maybe that's what gives them a boost to stay another day.

I'll start posting links to quick and cute patterns. Have ideas? Want to sign up and spread the word? Email me at stitchforoccupy @gmail .com Also contact me for addresses to send your handmade goodies.

This is stitching for solidarity-Stitch For Occupy.

(Awesome crocheted Wallstreet Bull courtesy of artist Olek.)