feminism – Katie Fustich

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INTRO:

For those of you unfamiliar, Pussy Riot is a Russian feminist performance artist collective/punk rock band. They’re known for performing when and wherever they want and railing against the Russian government. Two members of the group recently served 21 months in a gulag after being arrested during a performance. For lack of a better term, Pussy Riot goes hard as hell.

I created this ski mask as a tribute to these awesome women. I hope you knit one and feel powerful and badass!

MATERIALS:

· Approx. 300 yards of any worsted weight yarn

· Size #8 (5.0mm) circular needles

· Size #8 (5.0mm) double-pointed needles

· Stitch marker, measuring tape, scissors, needle

ABBREVIATIONS USED:

· k: knit

· p: purl

· k2tog: knit two stitches together

THE PATTERN:

Casting On:

Cast 72 stitches onto size #8 circular needles. I used the long-tail cast on method for a nice even edge.

Join your stitches to work in the round. Make sure your stitches aren’t twisted! Place a marker to indicate the start of the round.

Neck:

K1, P1 for 18 rounds.

The piece should measure approx. 3.5” at this point.

Head:

Following the 18 rows of ribbing, knit 1 row of purl.

Then, continue knitting in stockinette stitch for 4”. The entire piece should measure approx. 7.5” at this point.

Eye Hole:

To create the eye hole, you will briefly work back and forth before re-joining in the round to finish the crown of the head.

Row 1: First, cast off 24 stitches at the beginning of the round. Then knit to the end of the row. Now, turn the work so the wrong side is facing you.

Row 2: Purl

Row 3: Knit

Row 4: Purl

Row 5: Knit

Row 6: Purl

Row 7: Begin the row by casting on 24 stitches. Then finish the row knitting as normal. When you reach the end of the row, join the work and resume working in the round.

Crown:

Stockinette stitch for 12 rounds. It’s a good idea to try on the ski mask at this point and assess the fit. Depending on how the eye hole sits, you may want to add or subtract a few rounds at this point.

Begin decreases.

Row 1: {k2tog, k4} Repeat to end of round

Row 2: k

Row 3: {k2tog, k3} Repeat to end of round

Row 4: k

Row 5: {k2tog, k2} Repeat to end of round

Row 6: k

Row 7: {k2tog, k} Repeat to end of round

Row 8: k

Row 9: {k2tog} Repeat to end of round

Row 10: k

Cut yarn and weave through remaining stitches. Pull to close.

Eye Hole Band:

Pick up and knit 60 stitches around the circumference of the eye hole. Knit in stockinette stitch for three rounds. Bind off in purl.

Finishing:

Weave in all ends and wear!

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1.) Arm Yourself (With Knowledge)

As frustrating as the statistics surrounding these issues can be (ex: Every 2 minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted) they are important to be aware of. Spend a minute on RAINN’s statistics page and there is absolutely no denying what an extreme problem we are facing. Spend another minute reading this list of 50 Rape Facts from the Huffington Post, and you won’t want to live on this planet anymore.

Understanding Rape Culture is the first step to being proactive against it.

2.) Arm Yourself (With Karate)

If you read the WikiHow page for “Preventing a Potential Rape” more than half of the 25 suggestions involve altering one’s day to day life in some way or another. If we were to follow those rules, we would all be wandering in herds, wearing gender-neutral onesies, shaving our heads, and having half a sip of the drink we just paid $10.00 for. And that, is my biggest problem: people view rape as something that is to be prevented by the woman, and not her attacker. We still live in a “she was asking for it” world, and unless we act against this, nothing will ever change. It’s time for a new front where women feel at liberty to dress and act in a way that makes them happiest, without an omnipresent potential threat.

Instead, it is women who should be the threat. Two of my favorite YouTube videos come from a channel called “Final Round Training” and demonstrate techniques on escaping and attacking in rape and sexual assault situations. Check them out HERE and HERE.

I also highly recommend WomenOnGuard.com. They’re essentially a women’s self-defense superstore where you can buy personal alarms, pepper spray, tasers etc. My personal favorite is the lipstick-shaped stun gun. The retailer also provides excellent, clear information on the use of each and every product.

In sum: A woman is not to be messed with.

3.) Share Resources

Not everyone is open or comfortable when talking about rape. We need to take it upon ourselves to educate the people in our lives and make sure they can have a dialog about this topic.

With friends, talk about how living in a world where Rape Culture exists has affected you. Talk about how you can have each other’s backs when you are out for a night or even just day to day.

With family, talk to the older generations about what the values and culture they were raised with and how that has impacted their treatment of women and the issue of rape. Talk to the younger generation about how mutual respect is always essential and how they can grow into people who fight against these crimes.

With partners, practice open consent, establish boundaries, use a safe word, and most importantly, never be afraid to say “no” or report something that went to far.

Why not start today by sending someone you care about one of these links? I guarantee you’ll end up having an important conversation.

Anti-Rape Activism

FORCE: Upsetting Rape Culture

How Can We Fight Rape?

I Know I Can Fight Rape Culture By…

Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR)

Project Unbreakable

4.) Speak Up!

If you see something, say something!

As a society, we usually just shrug these things off and decide to mind our own business. But why don’t we look out for each other a little bit more? Maybe everything is fine, maybe you did just get the wrong idea, but whatever small shred of discomfort you feel by asking “Is everything okay?” is not nearly worth the potential of a life changed forever.

5.) Disregard Everything Else and Live by THESE RULES:

Tag: feminism

Free Pattern: Pussy Riot Ski Mask

5 Ways YOU can fight Rape Culture