Needling for change: the surprisingly political history of knitting
Labour MP Deborah Russell’s knitting caused a stir in parliament. But the humble craft has a long history as a tool for protest, solidarity and political change.
Knitting, often viewed as a peaceful pastime, has a surprising political history. This hobby, associated with home and hearth, has been used as a protest tool in various parts of the world, including New Zealand. In 1880, women were depicted knitting during parliament proceedings from the ladies' gallery, while in the women's suffrage debate, a ball of wool was said to be rolled up the Speaker's chair.
More recently, Labour MP Deborah Russell was spotted knitting during question time, with some respondents finding it unacceptable. Russell defended her knitting as a way to remain calm and focused, and also as a way to express dissatisfaction with the debate. This isn't the first time New Zealand's parliament has seen knitting-related controversies.
In 2002, Labour's Judith Tizard knitted in parliament and was accused by former National leader Bill English of showing "contempt and arrogance". More recently, ACT's Nicole McKee knitted during a tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh, which caused outrage from then-Labour MP Stuart Nash. This tradition of knitting in politics goes beyond New Zealand.
During the French Revolution, women known as tricoteuses knitted while watching public executions, and during World War I, Belgian women used knitting to record the movements of German troops and artillery. In New Zealand, there are other examples of knitting being used for protest. In 1955, women staged a "knit-in" on railway tracks to protest the closure of the Nelson railway line, continuing for ten days before being arrested.
In the United States, the pink "Pussyhat" became a symbol of the Women's March in Washington DC in 2017. Knitting has also been a source of cultural innovation, with Māori women adapting imported knitted garments into korowai. The use of knitting for social change or protest can offer a form of "craftivism", a term coined by British activist Sarah Corbett in 2009.
This involves using craft as a form of activism, promoting the idea of "the art of gentle protest". Through knitting, people can find a way to participate in politics, even if they might otherwise feel powerless. For some, knitting offers comfort, connection, or a sense of agency. It has the power to make overlooked voices more visible and can be a powerful tool for social change.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
