Hello friends, One of the perks of my job is the number of craft books that arrive on my desk. There's just something about a brand-new craft book, so filled with possibility, that makes me very happy. Late last week something a little different landed in my inbox: Knitting for Good! by Betsy Greer. I was just heading out for the weekend, and, intrigued, I scooped it into my purse. I'm glad I did. Betsy Greer is the person behind the website craftivism.com, a site that's built around the idea that, as she puts it:

"...activism + craft = craftivism. That each time you participate in crafting you are making a difference, whether it's fighting against useless materialism or making items for charity or something betwixt and between.

It's about the not-so-radical notion that activists can be crafters, and crafters can be activists."

Knitting for Good explores the notion of using knitting to reconnect with yourself and your community, and as a way to do some good in the world, one stitch at a time. Current events – wars, economic crises, natural disasters – can seem completely overwhelming, so big and so complicated that there's no way for one person to do anything. Knitting for a good cause, Greer points out, is a very real, very hands-on way for a person to make a difference, whether it's by knitting items to donate to a charity, teaching knitting to young people, or using your knitting to foster relationships with elderly or marginalized members of society. At a time when I have ideas for crafts coming at me from every direction, when the focus on crafting can seem more about material acquisition than on human achievement, I found this book to be a gentle push toward looking at knitting – and crafting in general – as more than just a hobby. The writing is friendly, conversational, and never preachy, and the book is peppered with anecdotes from well-known craftivists, as well as knitting patterns suitable for making and donating to charity. It was a refreshing read that made me look at my yarn stash in a whole new light. If you're looking for a different perspective on an age-old craft, I'd recommend giving this book a read. Let me know what you think! And if you're already involved in knitting (or crafting) for a good cause, I'd love to hear about it. Have a great night! PS Don't forget to leave a comment on Monday's post for your chance to win the The Unibind PhotoBook Creator Starter Kit and coupon for two free products (with free shipping) from RocketLife. This week, I'm interested in hearing about your favourite craft to take on a road trip.