What should I write while the world is descends further into fascism? Our fragile and imperfect democracy is on the verge of collapse and the tenuous progress of the last few decades is swiftly unravelling. I’m scared, and angry, and tired, and lonely. I’ve spent a lot of time dissociating into my art in the last few weeks. And I’ve also been leaning hard into my community. I seriously don’t know how we’d be surviving without the support of our family (both chosen & bio) scattered throughout the country. I’m especially grateful for all the help from my in-laws, my wife’s parents, who moved closer to us when we came to Maryland and now live just about 10 minutes away. The knitted vest featured in this post is a birthday present for my mother-in-law, Cindy, who had a milestone birthday earlier this year.
This vest was a joy to knit: a fun pattern with gloriously soft merino wool yarn dyed a beautiful deep silvery purple. It also feels good in these times to be able to make something beautiful for the people that I love, though I’m falling behind as there were a couple other more big milestone birthdays this year for which I owe presents! Cindy requested a longer vest than in the original pattern so I altered it to fit her request. I only intended to add about 8 inches to the bottom of the vest and somehow my math was off and it ended up almost a foot longer than I intended…but it fits, and I miraculously had enough yarn, and I think the extra long length actually looks really cool, so I’ll call it a win!
Cindy is happy with the vest I made her, and I can’t ever fully express my gratitude for all the ways that she (and her husband Mark) enrich our lives. My kids are so lucky to have local grandparents who adore them, and we as parents are beyond grateful for all the help and support they give in raising our tiny human tornados. They are our village, and we couldn’t do it without them–even as I write this post, the kids are off on a museum adventure with their grandparents while Caitlin works and I take a bit of a child-free rest!
And I’m also realizing, even more in this moment of gratitude for my amazing in-laws and all the help they give, that it’s not enough. I need my whole community. I need more local friends, and I need more contact with my geographically distant friends and family. I need all of you. I’m lonely and I miss my people. Parenting is isolating. And fascism seeks to isolate us further. There are a million little (and big) things we can do to fight back, and all of them rely on the strength of our communities. One of the most powerful actions we can take right now is strengthening our community ties. It’s not enough on its own, of course, but in many ways it’s a necessary prerequisite for all the rest of the fights ahead. Don’t give in to the isolation.
If you’re reading this I challenge you to do something extra in the next few days to build connections. Make plans to get coffee with an acquaintance who could become a friend. Have dinner with a friend you don’t see often enough. Do a zoom call to catch up with someone you love who you haven’t talked to in a while. Text an old friend you lost with and tell them you’re thinking of them. It doesn’t have to be big but do something extra to strengthen your village this week.
- Featured project: Dantel Vest for Cindy
- Medium: Knitting
- Pattern: Dantel Vest
- Materials: Malabrigo brand, Sock/Fingering weight, single ply, 75%Merino Superwash, 25% nylon,
Color= 069Pearl Ten- Purchased from Sweet Pea Fiber
- Cost of Materials: 4 skeins at $20.85 = $83.4
- Started October 2024, Completed January 2025
- Estimated time to Complete: 70 hours
- Estimated total cost (labor at $25/hour + materials) if commissioned: $1,830
#Showcase #DoneisGood #NewProject #BuyLocal #Family #PoliticalisPersonal
The Owl Weaver 
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