Thursday, March 31, 2011

Where is my mind?

Knit a cute, quick headband w/bow today.
I like the way this photo turned out. Looks antiquated.


Knit. Purl. Revolt.

Banana Silk!


I must possess this yarn.
It is beautiful.
It is vegan.
It is...BANANA SILK.
Oh the wonderful bulky scarves and hats I could knit with such a lovely blue yarn as this.
Green Sheep Shop is the seller of this delightful fiber
http://www.greensheepshop.com/index.php/
A skein of this beauty goes for $8.25.
And they carry the same yarn in...KALEIDOSCOPE


These two yarns are on my wishlist for sure.
My birthday is in April *hint hint* :P

Knit. Purl. Revolt.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Vegan Muffin Time!

A couple of weeks ago, my vegan-baking partner in crime Kristina and I baked a batch of delicious DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS!


The recipe followed was from the lovely Sarah Kramer's recipe book La Dolce Vegan!: Vegan Living Made Easy.
Such a fun book!
It's filled with recipes and DIY tips that are helpful for new vegans and vegan veterans alike.
It's also a great way to impress your non-vegan friends with how delicious vegan food is! ;)


Knit. Purl. Revolt.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Monday, March 28, 2011

Twig and Leaf Botanicals Giveaway!

Hello comrades!

VeganCraftastic and Twig and Leaf Botanicals are hosting a wonderful giveaway!
Twig and Lead Botanicals is an all vegan (yay!) etsy store, specializing in teas, lotion, and homecare.
If you are interested in entering a giveaway to win some sea salt elixir and body lotion, than follow this link! http://vegancraftastic.blogspot.com/2011/03/twig-and-leaf-botanicals-feature-and.html

In other news, I recently finished knitting a wonderfully long round scarf!
I used more of the same yarn that I mentioned in a previous post, the Homemade USA, and really love the way it turned out. It's a simple pattern, if anyone wants me to send them the pattern, just comment on this post. Let me know what you think about the scarf!
It's such a feeling of fulfillment to finish a knitting project.
I made something, I can create wearable art. How cool is that?

Knit. Purl. Revolt.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

World Military Spending

(Source: http://www.visualeconomics.com/military-spending-worldwide/)
Close-up:

Note: I know the charts are too small too see, follow the provided source link for much larger images!

This is a chart of World Military Spending, based on a countries GDP.
How does this chart make you feel? What is your initial reaction?
Allow me to break things down for a minute:
1. The U.S. military amounts to 48% of world-wide military spending. (est. cost $711 billion annually)
2. The rest of the world COMBINED only spends slightly more on the military.
3. The entire continent of Europe spends half of what the U.S. spends.
4. The Middle East region, where the U.S. is currently engaged in three wars, only counts for 5% of the world's military budget.

Where could the U.S. be spending it's money more wisely? Even if the U.S. government cut it's military spending by 30%, it would still have a $500 billion dollar budget...more than any other country. And where could that money be spent domestically? Healthcare, housing, public sector jobs, social services, environmental protection, education...
I want to live in a country where more money is spent helping people live better lives, and less money is spent on war.

Knit. Purl. Revolt.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Socialism 2011!

So excited for Socialism 2011 this July in Chicago! Thousands of leftist revolutionaries, in one place, for four days of geeking out to politics and revolutionary talk? Partyyyy! This will be my first time attending, but many of my friends went last summer, and said it was a blast. This year should be unforgettable, as REVOLUTION IS IN THE AIR!

Knit. Purl. Revolt.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Three Artists I Admire

The idea for this post popped into my head while knitting today.
There are so many people in this world that I admire, many of them activists and artists. I would like to dedicate this post to three artists whom I greatly admire.

Frida Kahlo


I have recently been reading everything I can about Frida Kahlo. I bought three used biographies about her, and have been studying her paintings. She was such an incredible, unique artist. She was a revolutionary leftist, proud of her Mexican heritage, and wildly imaginative. Despite being in chronic pain her whole life as a result of a trolly accident when she was a teenager, she is described as being full of life, emotion, and joy. These emotions, as well as her pain, frustration, and fear came through in her art work, which at times was dark and morbid, and at other times bursting with color and energy. She was a teacher, a caring daughter, a critic of Western imperialism, and a source of inspiration to her students. When I read about Frida, I want to paint. I want to paint anything I can think of.

Yokoo


I love knitting. Knitting (& crotchet!) is craft and art, past and present. Yokoo reminds you of that. She reminds you that what you can make with your hands is art. I found her shop on etsy quite a while ago and was enthralled. Her photographs are quirky and elegant simultaneously. Her style is defiant. I don't know why, it just is. She makes me want to be the best at knitting that I can be. She creates her own world, right there in the photo, right there in the yarn. It's the kind of world you want to walk into, the kind of place where you want to stay for a while. It's accessible, but it's distant, faraway. It's a long journey.
Check out her etsy store or her tumblr, and let yourself see what I see.

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Yokoo?ref=seller_info
Tumblr: http://yokoo.tumblr.com/


Marissa Paternoster




I was 17 years old (Spring 2007) when I first witnessed Marissa Paternoster.
It was at Asbury Lanes, a punk rock bowling alley, and the band Screaming Females would be performing. I had heard of them before, I think I'd even heard a song of theirs at some point. I wasn't all that interested, I was at the show that night to see For Science. Marissa walked on stage, guitar in hand, dressed in a poofy white wedding dress. I was intrigued. But then it happened. And I mean it HAPPENED. The most amazing voice, insanely perfect guitar solos, sonic perfection. My jaw hit the ground as I watched, mesmorized by a style and energy of music I had never experienced before. My brain chemistry was altered that day. I would never be the same. Now four years later, four full-length albums (not to mention her solo work as Noun), and having been to dozens of Screaming Females shows, I can say that at times, I am still as in awe as the first time I witnessed her on stage. Marissa is also an amazing artist, creating drawings and paintings that capture your worst nightmares and greatest fears. On my right shoulder is a tattoo of an ancient angel, borrowed art off of the Screaming Females first album (and drawn by Marissa).
Note: Jarrett D. [drums] and King Mike [bass] make up the rhythm section of the Screaming Females. They are really cool guys, and amazing musicians. Even though this post is mostly about Marissa, these guys are too awesome to be ignored!

Here's some footage from a recent show in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Follow the link!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMKPJqb_EAc

Knit. Purl. Revolt.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Cowl with Buttons!


I've been working on this little beauty of a cowl for the past few days.
It's Hometown USA Acrylic and Rayon yarn, pretty chunky, made with size 13 needles.
It's got flecks of all different colors and two little black buttons.
I really liked knitting with the larger needles, and this yarn is so nice and soft!
Quite the pile of homemade knitwear is accumulating in my dorm room...I'm going to need to start donating or giving some of it away!


Knit. Purl. Revolt.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

UNAC Anti-War Demonstration: April 9th!

Call to Action!
And Request for Endorsement

April 9, 2011
New York & San Francisco
from the
United National Antiwar Committee

WHO ARE THE WARMAKERS?

THEY are the government, corporate, and financial powers that wage war, ravage the environment and the economy and trample on our democratic rights and liberties.

WHO ARE THE PEACEMAKERS?

WE are the vast majority of humanity who want peace, a healthy planet and a society that prioritizes human needs, democracy and civil liberties for all.

The Warmakers spend trillions of dollars yearly on endless wars in pursuit of global domination and profit while murdering millions of innocent people, installing corrupt and hated governments and funding occupations that displace millions from their homelands – trampling on the right of oppressed people to self-determination.

THEY send our youth – victims of the economic draft – to fight over the very fossil fuels whose unrestrained use threatens the future of the planet while corrupt and virtually unregulated oil giants dump billions of gallons of death into our rivers and oceans.

THEY wage a fake “war on terrorism” at home – the new McCarthyism – that promotes racism and Islamophobia aimed at destroying civil liberties and democratic rights.

THEY grant repeated and untold trillions in bailouts to banks, corporations and financial institutions while breaking unions, robbing pensions, destroying jobs, foreclosing homes, de-funding education and vital social services and are once again threatening Social Security and Medicare.

THEY offer no solutions to the current crises other than more of the same.

THE PEACEMAKERS DEMAND a better world. Only a massive, united, inclusive and independent movement has the power to bring it into being.

WE DEMAND Bring U.S. Troops, Mercenaries and War Contractors Home Now: Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan! End the sanctions and stop the threats of war against the people of Iran, North Korea and Yemen. No to war and plunder of the people of Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa! End U.S. Aid to Israel! End U.S. Support to the Israeli Occupation of Palestine and the Siege of Gaza!

WE DEMAND trillions for jobs, education, social services, an end to all foreclosures, quality single-payer healthcare for all, a massive conversion to sustainable and planet-saving energy systems and public transportation and reparations to the victims of U.S. terror at home and abroad.

WE DEMAND an end to FBI raids on antiwar, social justice, and international solidarity activists, an end to the racist persecution and prosecutions that ravage Muslim communities, an end to police terror in Black, Latino and Native American communities, full rights and legality for immigrants and an end to all efforts to repress and punish Wikileaks and its contributors and founders.

WE DEMAND the immediate end to torture, rendition, secret trials, drone bombings and death squads.

WE ARE DEDICATED TO A WORLD
OF PEACE AND JUSTICE.

All Out April 9, 2011

**(Source: Reposted from nationpeaceconference.org)

Knit. Purl. Revolt.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Giveaway at Knit Purl Gurl!


KnitPurlGurl.com is having an awesome giveaway for all you crochet fans out there!
It's a March Madness Giveaway: Kim Werker Prize Pack!
There are MANY opportunities to enter, including blogging about the giveaway! ;)
The deadline to enter the giveaway is April 4th, so hop to it!
Here is the link to the giveaway at Knit Purl Girl:

http://www.knitpurlgurl.com/2011/03/march-madness-giveaway-kim-werker-prize.html#comment-form

Best of Luck!

Knit. Purl. Revolt.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Libya: The Revolution



The political revolution in Libya is changing everyday.
Aljazeera is a great source for information on daily events as they unfold.

Solidarity with the protestors!

Knit. Purl. Revolt.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Beautiful Springtime Bandana!


http://www.purlbee.com/springtime-bandana

This bandana (see the above link for pattern!) is so beautiful!
Lightweight and fresh green color, perfect.
Unfortunately, the pattern does not call for vegan yarn, however, I can VEGANIZE it!
Excited to add this project to the ever-growing craft list.

Knit. Purl. Revolt.

Autumnal Gloves in March


Over the weekend I created a darling pair of lengthy fingerless mittens.
A nice little (k1 p1 row, k1 row) pattern.
Love autumnal colors, and had some leftover yarn from a scarf I made earlier in the winter. Not sure if I will use, donate, give away or sell these mittens yet. Possibly save them for an October craft sale?

Now I am currently tackling what I find to be the tedious task of learning to cable knit. I want to create hip cabled headbands damn it! For some reason this stitch is proving a bit of a challenge for my normally agile hands, but a challenge is always welcome.


Knit. Purl. Revolt.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Aid to Japan: Following the Earthquake and Tsunami

Japan earthquake and tsunami: How to help

By Lili Ladaga – Fri Mar 11, 11:48 am ET

Japan was hit by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded on March 11. The magnitude-9.0 quake spawned a deadly tsunami that slammed into the nation's east coast, leaving a huge swath of devastation in its wake. Thousands of people are dead and many more are still missing or injured.
Japan has often donated when other countries have experienced disasters, such as when Hurricane Katrina impacted the United States. Below are organizations that are working on relief and recovery in the region.

AMERICAN RED CROSS: Emergency Operation Centers are opened in the affected areas and staffed by the chapters. This disaster is on a scale larger than the Japanese Red Cross can typically manage. Donations to the American Red Cross can be allocated for the International Disaster Relief Fund, which then deploys to the region to help.

GLOBALGIVING: Established a fund to disburse donations to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami.

SAVE THE CHILDREN: Mobilizing to provide immediate humanitarian relief in the shape of emergency health care and provision of non-food items and shelter.

SALVATION ARMY: The Salvation Army has been in Japan since 1895 and is currently providing emergency assistance to those in need.

AMERICARES: Emergency team is on full alert, mobilizing resources and dispatching an emergency response manager to the region.

CONVOY OF HOPE: Disaster Response team established connection with in-country partners who have been impacted by the damage and are identifying the needs and areas where Convoy of Hope may be of the greatest assistance.

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS: Putting together relief teams, as well as supplies, and are in contact with partners in Japan and other affected countries to assess needs and coordinate our activities.

SHELTER BOX: The first team is mobilizing to head to Japan and begin the response effort.
.

(Source: Yahoo!)

On being a vegan model


Ok, so I'm not a model, but I am a vegan.
And today I was photographed by a fellow college student for a photography project she is completing, with vegans as her subjects.
I wonder what of being vegan can be captured in a photograph?
Health, defiance, resoluteness, strength?

Living vegan is to be defiant and in opposition to an oppression that many choose to ignore or turn away from - the oppression that humans inflict on non-human creatures.
It is a daily protest.

And to anyone who will look me in the eye and say "what you are doing doesn't matter, it makes no difference", I'll look them right back in the eye and quote my favorite Minor Threat lyric:

"At least I'm fucking trying, what the fuck have you done?"

Knit. Purl. Revolt.

Monday, March 14, 2011

The Struggle Continues

"If you think that by hanging us you can stamp out the labor movement, then hang us. Here you will tread upon a spark, but here, and there, and behind you, and in front of you, the flames will blaze up. It is a subterranean fire. You cannot put in out."

Haymarket martyr August Spies.

http://socialistworker.org/blog/critical-reading/2011/03/09/its-all-out-class-war-wisconsi (copy & paste this link!)

It's All-Out Class War In Wisconsin!

Knit. Purl. Revolt.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

CompassioKnit Yarn!




Seduced by this super bulky vegan yarn by CompassioKnit (etsy)

Knit. Purl. Revolt.

Solidarity With The Commuknits Revolution!


My lovely revolutionary pal at commuknits.tumblr.com has inspired me to create a blog dedicated to my passion for revolution, veganism, feminism, left-wing politics and, of course, knitting.

We are in revolutionary times comrades.
It is the time to explore and discover our own revolutionary potential.
Our potential to tear down the stagnant and unjust, and to create a more just and meaningful future for us all.

From the Middle East, to Greece, to Madison Wisconsin, to London England..the revolution is in our hands.
The power of art and community, of words and information sharing are of great potential in this, the 21st century.

Knit. Purl. Revolt.



*Image obtained from a google search (anomalycentral.wordpress.com)