Ravelry

Since the inception of Ravelry, a social network for knitters and crochets, in 2007, craftivists have gained access to the global knitting community. This has allowed for many of the movements and groups included in this curation to exponentially increase their exposure, since Ravelry has over 1 million members from all over the globe. 

The tradition that is embodied by craftwork is vital to the success of these craftivist movements. Through network society, we can expand our visions and utilize those related to us in thought and activity. Craftwork and network culture combine to create a "low"-tech, high-tech rapport to spread causes globally. The 2000's saw an increase of this ideology due to network society. Hopefully the two cultures can continue to work together to spread the peace that is inherent in the making of an object, whether low or high-tech...

Craft Mafia

The Craft Mafia was established to "promote sister groups in other cities, share web traffic, and provide helpful information to other professional craft designers and groups." There are mafia "familia" in cities around the US and groups can apply to become part of the Mafia, but there are strict guidelines as to who can be permitted. In a sense, the original Craft Mafia (from Austin, Texas) is curating their own group of craftivists. The various Craft Mafia familia organize craft shows, such as the DIY Trunk Show (Chicago) and Handmade Holiday (Richmond). There is also a blog where all of the familia can contribute their crafty efforts. The whole Craft Mafia network culture was established to promote each other's business practices.

Knit Your Bit

In contrast to the M.24 Chaffee, a different type of wartime knitting was organized by the Red Cross. Knit Your Bit was an effort to gather handknit garments for soldiers. Volunteers were part of a "Production Corps"and would knit everything from socks to sweaters. This was meant to support American Troops with warm clothing. The tradition is still alive today with knitters making helmet liners for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

The Production Corps represents social networking and network theory in that at the national level, there were many women and children knitting for the cause. Together they formed the Production Corps, yet they were not necessarily ever in the same locale. They were joined together through this invisible network of knitters who were all working towards the support of soldiers. Thus the knitters were all contributing in their own way to the war efforts.

Posters (Screenshots of Redcross website): Left, L.N. Britton, 1918. Right, Wladyslaw Teodor Benda, 1918.