emPower People Knitting Pattern

Have you heard about emPower People? It’s a craftivism effort aimed at sparking engagement and conversation around social justice issues.

The group was co-founded by Diane of Lady Dye Yarns, designer Casapinka, Laverne of BzyPeach, and Ashley of A Jackson Illustrations. They have developed knitting, crochet and sewing patterns for a purple headscarf/cowl, which you can grab at the website linked above.

(The knitting pattern is also on Ravelry if you are OK with Ravelry right now.)

The original was worked in DK weight but you can use two strands of fingering or adjust for other yarn weights depending on what you have (though of course supporting an independent yarn maker in this time would be a great idea, too).

The thought behind the design is that it’s something you can wear when going to gatherings, marching, voting or any other time to spark conversation, engagement and action. The group is committed to embracing humanity and family, embodying community, emphasizing equality and emancipating equity. And it’s a pretty cute accessory, too.

[Photo: Casapinka.]

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

Check out these books dedicated to Knitted Cowl Patterns still looking for more cowl patterns? Check these out on Etsy.

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Sometimes I feel like knitters get intimidated to try new things because they think they need to start with a big project. Your first time working in the round doesn’t need to be a sock, and your first colorwork doesn’t need to be a sweater, for example. You can find little projects that use the skills you want to learn to build your confidence before you move on to something that requires more time commitment.

This adorable knit bunny, for example.

The colorwork bunny from Knit Picks was designed by Amy Munson and is a kind of bowling pin shaped bunny complete with a knit hat, contrasting inner ears and a little stranded colorwork on its body. Note that the ears are attached the the hat not the bunny, but you could stitch them to the bunny if you’d rather.

It’s worked from the bottom up and also has a tiny pompom tail you can’t see in the picture but it’s a really cute touch. There are a variety of little fair isle patterns to choose from to make the best bunny for you.

The bunny comes out about 8 inches tall (or just over 20 cm) and use several colors to complete the colorwork, depending on the design you choose.

You can purchase the pattern by itself from Knit Picks, or make a kit that includes sport weight yarn in all the colors you need for your creation. There are gray and brown options for the main body of the bunny, but of course if you’re using your own yarn you can make it whatever color you like.

Once you’ve tried colorwork (maybe also working in the round and shaping if those are skills you haven’t used before) in a little project like this you’ll be ready to take on something bigger in no time.

Check out the pattern on Knit Picks.

[Photo: Knit Picks]

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