Project Craftivism

This is for a refuge in Spain that needs help. Read about their plea to knitters & crocheters, here (their volunteer page).

Click on the title of this post for the sweater pattern :)

For the crochet version, see the volunteer page for the refuge.

Mr Sheep says, “Stop exploiting me for my fur (wool), crafters!”

Dedicated to those that post pictures of sheep with a note that usually says “thank you for your wool” as if that makes up for the exploitation, abuse, and ultimately, their being sent off for slaughter when they’re too old or spent.

Think about your actions and what they support. There are choices. Please choose to craft cruelty-free. Use your crafting powers for good :)

(Source: ForGIFs.com, via vegan-because-fuck-you)

Finished wildlife rescue knitted nest!! :D
Such a sweet and quite helpful project.
To get involved, search for the pattern on my blog or search Ravelry for both knitted and crocheted nest patterns.

Contact me for where to send or again, search this blog for the info. The wildlife rescue hospitals I contacted (in the USA) said they use these nests every single day, so they always welcome more.

Happy crafting for wildlife!

The ugly truth behind the wool industry.

This is partly why I CHOOSE to knit and overall craft without using wool or any animal fur/body part. The other part is because I don’t believe animals are products or things to be exploited and put through such misery. They are living beings that deserve the same respect and treatment as I would want. Whether large farm or small, it is exploitation in my eyes. Let’s not get into breeding and the issues with that in all animal farming…

Please choose cruelty-free: plant, recycled, synthetic fibers. For a list of cruelty-free fibers, click here.

This is why I CHOOSE to knit and craft without wool or any animal product; and therefore, cruelty-free. Wool is far from free of animal abuse and misery :(

Whether large farm or small, it is exploitation. Let’s not get into breeding and the issues with that in all animal farming…To me other animals are living beings that deserve the same respect and consideration that I expect. Animals are neither products nor things to be used/exploited. 

Please choose cruelty-free: plant, recycled, synthetic fibers. For a list of cruelty-free fibers, click here.

One inch left to go on my knitted nest for wildlife babies in rescues/wildlife hospitals. They are really easy to make. I plan to fill a box with a few of these before mailing them off to wildlife rescues that use them to take care of baby wildlife in need. I think it just has taken me longer to finish one because they are knitted really tightly and I don’t have all that much experience with DPNs. Either way, they are definitely good stash busters too.

I did not use 5 US (3.75mm) sized needles because they don’t exist here ( been trying to track down a set for months now!!), so I used 4.5 US sized ones. Yarn - mixed #3 & 4 weight.

If you’d like to make some, search my blog for the patterns or go on Ravelry. There are patterns for both knitted and crocheted nests

This week’s shelter doggie walk was even more brilliant than usual. We got up early, picked up this sweety for a walk around our local shelter, and on our hike saw a deer!

She was found on the street last week, so she did not have a name. Our walk consisted of cuddling/petting sessions (as in the picture), sudden running sprints (with one of us dragging behind lol), digging, and rolling around in the mud. I think it’s safe to say she enjoyed herself on our one hour walk.

This is just a reminder that another way to help in your community is to adopt an animal from your local shelter (if you don’t know about puppy mills and how horrible they are, please do a google search, especially if you are thinking of buying a dog or any animal). If you are not able to adopt, apart from volunteering at the shelter or with walking the dogs at the shelter, why not take part in a crafty project for them, such as making knitted/crocheted blankets or creating little somethings you can raffle on their behalf…? You can even get other knitters in your community involved, which is always fun :)

Good start to my first wildlife baby nest. Let’s see how long it takes to finish (see previous posts for knitting and crochet patterns)…

Help those that are still suffering with Leprosy by making bandages for them. The DOVE Fund Bandage Brigade is collecting bandages for their next shipment. Instructions for crocheters & knitters here: 

http://leprosybandages.blogspot.com/2012/01/making-crocheted-or-knitted-leprosy.html

Please say no to wool and other animal fur. Choose to craft cruelty-free. There are many alternatives out there.

This is where wool comes from and what happens when humans have no use for the sheep any more. Australian sheep (where the majority of wool comes from) get sent on a horrible journey (“live exported”) to the Middle East for slaughter after living a horrid, abused life for what…yarn? Choose compassion.

*Edit* Seems some people did not understand my post (re-read it carefully). Obviously, the sheep don’t get killed for wool, they get killed AFTERWARDS when they are no use or “too old”. It’s called exploitation and part of the system. So, they live horrible lives (do your research) and then are slaughtered. There’s no happy field where they get retired, people!! Hence, the capaign against exportation (“live exports”) of these sheep to the Middle East.