She describes herself as a Political Knitter, is doing her doctorate in the field of feminist European studies and combines the topics of handicraft and feminism on her Instagram account. In an interview with Brigitte Digital, Marie Jelenka Kirchner explains how one can become politically active with knitting.
Dear Marie,
you call yourself “Political Knitter”, what does this term mean for you? How can you get politically active with knitting?
It was important to me to show that knitting is more than just a handicraft for me. Knitting is an essential part of my life and my life is just very political. On my Instagram channel I bring these two parts of my life – the political and the manual labor – together. It works very well: On the one hand, you have photos of beautiful things created by hand and, on the other hand, you can send political messages in the descriptions. Specifically, I got into handicraft through my political commitment.
A few years ago I dealt more with fair fashion and my responsibility as a consumer of fashion and realized that I no longer want to consume fast fashion. At the same time, as a student, I only have a certain budget, so I can’t necessarily afford nice knitwear – but definitely wool. Then I learned to knit, so I can stay true to my fashion style and at the same time no longer have to consume fast fashion. As a result, I got into knitting through politics. So I think Political Knitter describes me pretty well.
You are doing your doctorate in the field of feminist European studies. What experiences did you have at university when it came to the subject of handicraft and feminism?
In the last semester, I wrote a term paper and gave a presentation on the subject. There were also questions that went in the direction of: “Handcraft and feminism, how do they fit together – that is not compatible with a modern understanding of feminism!” I think everything that I see as feminist should also be recognized as feminist. I also find it inappropriate to think in rigid categories. Such statements are accompanied by a devaluation of the manual work. When I hear: “Handicrafts are unfeministic”, I hear in a sense: “Handicrafts are not worth that much – a hobby that is not so useful”.
I would consistently disagree with that! I think handicrafts are something fascinating. We can make clothes ourselves, fix things, give broken clothes a second life, turn wool into beautiful things, etc. These are great skills! I have the feeling that craft is often only valued when it is identified with men, such as B. carpentry, electrical engineering, etc. In summary, I was very surprised that I came across exactly the same clichés in my gender studies seminar at the university.
What prejudices do you encounter with regard to knitting and needlework in general?
When I say that I knit a lot, I usually get smiled at first. Many people think of handicrafts as grandmas knitting socks to pass the time. But I also notice that this perception can be changed quickly if I point out the knitted fabric that I wear. There is simply a collective misunderstanding about what can be done with needlework. Handicrafts are something modern, timeless and also fascinating.
I think handicraft suffers from being associated with women and being devalued as a result. “Women’s things” are always seen as inferior in our society, that makes me angry! At the same time, I often experience the following phenomenon: As soon as men pick up needles and do needlework or knitting, the reaction is different. Then it says: “Wow, a knitting man!”. Handicrafts can be very fascinating, but often when they are done by men.
How do you specifically use knitting projects to point out political issues?
In spring, I organized a feminist make-along with a designer friend of mine, in which all participants could knit, crochet or sew on a given topic on Instagram. For six weeks we asked handworkers on Instagram to work with us to produce a “feminist uniform” (editor’s note). We wanted to create an outfit with which we as feminists feel good, safe and extraordinary on the inside. It was very exciting to see how people interpret that for themselves. I had z. B. knitted a purple sweater with the symbol of femininity on it. I can wear it when I B. go to feminist demos, women’s strikes or strikes against paragraph 218a. Every week there was also an overarching theme that should encourage all participants to reflect on feminism and to combine this with the creative process.
The campaign was very well received and was a lot of fun. I think there are a lot of people in the knitting community on Instagram who need a lot of talk and exchange. With this make along we wanted to create a platform. I myself often post a photo on Instagram and include a topic in the description that has to do with feminism. I also report a lot about my own experiences with sexism or discrimination that I experience as a woman, and then encourage discussions. I like to talk to the community because I notice that knitting can be wonderfully combined with other topics.
What’s going on in the knitting community in general, are there any tendencies that you can feel?
Since I wrote a term paper about needlework and feminism myself and am part of the knitting community, one tends to glorify the needlework community a bit. But I believe that the knitting community is ultimately not that much more political, feminist or anti-racist than the general population – the community is probably a good cross-section of society. However, this common hobby mixes a lot of social bubbles.
It’s incredibly exciting: it brings me into contact with a lot of opinions and international topics that I would otherwise have no contact with. By handicraft I am z. B. very much got into the topic of fashion revolution. People who do handicrafts and produce their clothes themselves often have this basic mindfulness – this makes many people in the community receptive to the social challenges of our time.
I am very happy that all kinds of questions can be negotiated in the community. But I also believe that some could be a little more courageous in communication. There is a lot of need to talk and a lot of opinions, but still there is often the feeling: “I only have one knitting account and don’t want to mix knitting with political issues”. Sometimes I would like to have a little more courage to express my own opinion in connection with needlework. There are a lot of exciting women in the community from whom I would like to find out how they view life and what experiences they have already had.
Have you planned another action in the near future that could be put under the motto political knitting?
We would like to start a second edition of the feminist Make Alongs next spring. Nothing else is planned in the near future. Basically, however, I am always enthusiastic about taking part in promotions and using my network in the knitting community. In addition, there are of course often knitting events in winter, e.g. B. knitting hats or socks etc. for the needy or homeless – this is also part of political knitting, as you can make a concrete contribution here through your hobby.
Thank you for the interview and good luck for all further projects, dear Marie!