Fabric Art for Good: Knitting Scarves to Keep us Safe
By Ana Lazarut
The importance of fabric/textile arts on the development of society through innovation and reform is not to be underestimated. During WWII, knitting was a form of espionage practiced by the Belgian Resistance. [1] Furthermore, the binary coding system for computers parallels knitting and crochet patterns, with the Jacquard loom’s punch cards inspiring the Analytical Engine designed by Cabbage and Lovelace, with the latter stating that “the Analytical Engine weaves algebraic patterns, just as the Jacquard loom weaves flowers and leaves”. [2] Women weaving even brought us to the moon! [3]
Most notable, however, is the fact that in each of these cases women developed modern society by utilising a mode of labour and art that is incredibly gendered and viewed as ‘female’ (and categorised as inoffensive and unserious).
I don’t say this in a socio-political, deeply analytical and critical way, but as someone who engages in this form of crafting and is a member of a club dedicated to this, where there is only one male member. Furthermore, knitting and crochet was passed down through women in my family, until it was given to me. Something that was a necessity to keeping children clothed and warm is now a hobby I partake in to de-stress.
When you live in a city such as Belfast, it is difficult to feel safe as a woman. Ulster University conducted a survey, finding that 70% of the 540 women surveyed had reported that they experienced some form of abuse/violence in the 12 months predating September 2023 [4], and 98% had experienced some form of abuse in their lifetime [5]. The PSNI also released the information that from 2019 to 2024, 30 girls and women were murdered by men, identifying Violence Against Women and Girls as a key issue to tackle [6].
The Walkie Talkie Girlies are a student-led organisation dedicated to providing safety for women through community. Their message is clear and the effect is seismic with their Project Pink 2.0 event in 2025 raising awareness whilst also winning them an award. Social change has occurred because of their efforts, which is beginning to sprout in the QUB Crochet Society. Although their activities are not aimed to fight gender violence, the nature of their work alongside their new project Hats for the Homeless is another example of fabric arts being used for good.
There have been many other protests combining these elements. Women have performed sit-ins on public transportation in Vienna whilst knitting to protest violence against women [7]. However, it is not only the lack of safety for women that can be challenged by fabric arts, as projects such as Craftivism for Palestine [8] and Portland I.C.E. protesters teaching each other to “craft in peace” [9] highlight.
Yesterday I knit myself a scarf and thought of the women who paved the way for change. The weight of the yarn feels heavy on my needles. But I persevere knowing that through this act I share their responsibility. And for a moment, I am sitting with the ladies of Tricoteuses, making good one stitch at a time.
[1] https://www.wits.ac.za/future/stories/how-knitting-won-the-war.html
[2] https://blog.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/jacquard-loom/
[3] https://handwovenmagazine.com/weaving-history-core-rope-memory/
[6] https://www.psni.police.uk/safety-and-support/keeping-safe/tackling-violence-against-women-and-girls
[7] https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRhMsxNx/
[8] https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRh151m/
[9] https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRhM3x51/
Photo Credit: Image by Thomas G on Pixabay
