Skulls are pretty hot right now. Skulls everywhere you go. High art and popular culture are all using the skull as an emblem for the current times. I wonder what it really means, I know it looks cool and all, but what is underneath it all, why is the skull so incredibly popular right now?

The most common symbolic use of the skull is as a representation of death and mortality, it is afterall the bones of a dead person, but a human skull with its large eye sockets is visually appealing, and can fascinate even as it repels. The skull in literature and art is often used to communicate despair and ironic humor, and can symbolise both eternity and the ephemeral and changeable nature of life. (read more here).

This has made me think about the times we currently live in and how powerful a symbol the skull is and can be. Symbolising our fear and uncertainty but at the same time our humanity and hope.

I am not surprised that we crafters have taken to the skull like a duck to water , making things is itself a symbol of hope and adding to that even more symbolism just seems like a natural progression. Here are some of my favourite skull knitting patterns.

buccaneers booty socks [via] :: jackyll and hide at knitty :: domiknitrix skull pattern :: knitty yorick scarf :: helloyarn is skull crazy - I love the pirate beanie (and there are mittens to match) felted skull tote bag - most fabulous of all has to be the skull cable (see pic) :: theres a skull and crossbones dishcloth :: skull lace pattern :: skull illusion scarf is a classic :: I really really love these skull stockings (see pic) ::

What does this mean - crafting for the environment? I take it to have two meanings relating to our social and our physical environment. So there is crafting activism and eco crafting.

blogs: When thinking about crafting activism - I immediately think of craftivism : bloggreen has a craftivism cagegory : SuperNaturale has a frugality and living section: guerrilla knitters at we make money not art : microrevolt - reblog : radical cross stitch : steal this sweater - StealThisSweater refers to Abbie Hoffman’s Steal This Book, a survival guide and manifesto for those who fantasize about (or pursue) anarchy. - blog : cast off - kerri smith - wish jar journal : sewgreen : threading water - knitting+politics : Laura bucci - arts, crafts and activism : makezine : the worsted witch : glittyknittykitty - Be a knittivist. Knit a revolution. : microrevolt - investigates the dawn of sweatshops in early industrial capitalism to inform the current crisis of global expansion and the feminization of labor.

Articles:
[via] Jessica Vitkus, the author of Alternacrafts challenges all of the presidential nominees to win the crafter’s vote with politically themed crafting projects. : article - in these times titled Of Crafts and Causes. and article on etsy about upcycling. : article titled Third wave craftivism? DIY panel explores relationship between feminism, crafting at colombia chronicle : Political protest turns to the radical art of knitting at the guardian : : article at canada national post titled - Changing the world one stitch at a time Knitting circles drawing attention to political issues :

projects and groups you can get involved in:
project linus - blankets for those in need - please read their knitting manifesto : revolutionary knitting circle : afghans for afghans : knit a river - London based yarn shop and knitting group, I Knit, have joined forces with international charity WaterAid to create an alternative to a traditional petition : massive knit - Using individual sensibilities, we plan to create an open structure in the park, connecting various elements of the park together. By the end of the evening we should have a string of material connecting the park together. : wardrobe refashion - pledge to recycle : stitch for senate : headhuggers : use your knitting or crochet skills to help someone who has undergone hair loss due to chemotherapy, brain surgery, burn wounds etc. : red sweaters - This project is an art installation that was inspired by the war in Iraq. Its purpose is to spread public awareness, encourage thought, and inspire discussions about war and current events without promoting a specific view. : street knit - asking you to put your needles together and spend some time this summer knitting some warmth into a sweater, a hat, mittens, socks, or a scarf to keep someone warm this winter. : futurefarmers : the mother bear project : snuggles project - security blankets for shelter animals. : knit for kids :

oh my there are so so many - I want you to help and leave a comment with a link to a crafting charity or a craft activist group that you know of and help spread the word.