Knit One, Purl Two for Occupy: Not for Women Only

Occupy Knitters - Sfgate

Okay, you guys - don't you dare sign off until you've heard what I have to say. You too can do "it" - or, at the very least, you can find a substitute for "it" while still making yourselves useful. Just hear me out, alright?

Most of the folks who stop by here are pretty smart, so it's no surprise that we support Occupy Wall Street and all the other Occupies around the country. For legitimate reasons, however, many of us can only  participate in spirit and not in body - even when our own community is being occupied. Sure, we can support the movement on our blogs and on social media, but preaching to the choir doesn't seem to be as meaningful as doing "it."

Here's a way to make a significant contribution, especially now that inclement weather is already making it pretty miserable for those out there in the trenches. Grab your knitting needles or crochet hooks and start making some neck scarves, hats, leg warmers and mittens. You too, fellows. Yeah, you can do it, or you can cheat. See below.

Don't worry about fancy designs or expensive yarns; this ain't a fashion show. UFOs (unfinished objects) and leftover yarns in whatever colors that have been stashed away at the back of closets for years will keep a lot of fingers and tootsies warm. So, you drop a stitch or two. So what? The protesters won't care - they'll be thrilled to have a warm hat or scarf and touched that someone made the effort to knit or crochet it.

Facebook has several pages up that are calling for knitters and crocheters: Knitting for Occupiers, Knitters for Occupy Boston, Knitters and Crocheters for Philadelphia, Knitters for the 99%. There's a page for LA, Denver, DC and Detroit. If you can't find one in your area, start one. You might not get a lot of followers  but you should give people the incentive to just do "it."

Okay guys, so you've never held a pair of knitting needles in your life or you eschew the very idea of big stud muffin like yourselves being seen knitting - despite the fact that men have always knitted and may even have invented it. There's even a book called Knitting with Balls.

Granted, if you have to learn how to keep your tension consistent before next spring, you'll just end up getting tense. So cheat. If you don't know someone who knits or crochets and is willing to help, just go buy the damn things. You'll feel warm and fuzzy on the inside while keeping others warm and toastie on the outside. Heck, cut off the label and pretend you made it. Who cares?

HINT Use wool or wool blends that can be washed and are warm.