Knitting myself sane during a revolution

  • By jessyz
  • /

I would like to explain why I haven’t been posting.

I am Egyptian.  And if you follow the world news you will know that right now the Egyptians have revolted against 30 (some would say 60) years of tyranny and dictatorship.

I don’t live in Egypt but almost all of my family and loved ones are there.

Egypt is also my home, because home is where the heart is.

I also know that most of my readers are not in the Middle East.  But this is a story of humanity and dignity where all regional barriers fall.

On the 25th of January, Egyptians took to the streets in unprecedented numbers calling for change. Police replied with tear gas and rubber bullets.  Many were injured and killed, so they took to the streets again on Friday.  Midday, police forces pulled out and totally dissapeared from the streets, but not before they opened the jails and let the thugs out so that chaos would run rampant in the streets.  By the end of the day the army was on the streets and some order was restored.  People were forming neighborhood watch groups to protect their streets.  And that has been the state since then, mega protests (millions are marching), people protecting homes and a government that is stubborn and won’t bend to the will of the people.

This is the short story, I am sure if you want to learn more you can google the news.

But this is not a political blog, this is a craft blog.  And while I was sitting on the edge of my seat and glued to twitter and facebook trying to get as much info as I could even though they unplugged the internet in Egypt from Thursday night until Wednesday there were still some brave souls who were updating tweets by calling friends out of Egypt.  They also switched off mobile networks for 3 days.  Still information was scarce and rumors were plenty.

Amidst all this, I cast a shawl, which I am calling the revolution shawl because every time I look at it I remember the day the Egyptians decided to say NO.  In Egypt’s history this is the first real revolution.

Knitting is slow and deliberate  it was the only thing that kept me sane while I watched young men and women fighting and dieing for  a cause.

Shawl

I also did a little bit of embroidery
Reversible Unicorn Bag

Unicorns are symbolic for miracles in my head and I am so very much wishing for a miracle of some kind.


8 responses to “Knitting myself sane during a revolution”

  1. Tweets that mention Knitting myself sane during a revolution | The C Side -- Topsy.com says:
    February 9, 2011 at 12:13 pm

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Stitchpunk, jessyz. jessyz said: Knitting myself sane during a revolution http://goo.gl/fb/jq4jJ […]

  2. Josie says:
    February 9, 2011 at 12:26 pm

    Hi Jessyz,

    I hope you get that miracle and Egypt becomes free soon. Love your shawl and the unicorn. Can I ask you if there is a pattern for the bag you embroidered the unicorn on? the bag looks lovely..

  3. jessyz says:
    February 9, 2011 at 12:46 pm

    Thanks, it is Very Purple Person’s reversible bag found here
    http://verypurpleperson.com/2010/04/making-reversible-bag.html

    I usually add links but my brain is a mess

  4. inkberryblue says:
    February 9, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    My heart goes out to you. I’ve been struck by the incredible courage and resolve of the protesters. I hope you get that miracle too.

  5. Ronda says:
    February 9, 2011 at 4:57 pm

    My thoughts are with you and your family. I hope they are all safe.

  6. Heather says:
    February 10, 2011 at 12:58 am

    Those pieces are beautiful. I know what’s going on in Egypt is very scary and dangerous, but I am very glad Egyptians have the strength (physical and of character) to speak out about their situation. I so hope they will be able to speak and vote freely. It really puts things in perspective. I hope all your loved ones and all people there will be safe.

  7. Noha says:
    March 1, 2011 at 3:33 pm

    I came here through stumbleupon. When I saw your picture (I’m used to foreigners having superb blogs but notices your veil and thought, well, she must be arabian, cool!)

    then my jaw dropped when I read this!!!

    YOU’RE EGYPTIAN!!!!!!
    I’M EGYPTIAN!!!!!!

    And my God I feel so left out on the internet. Of course all the crafters are awesome, and their blogs are amazing. Also when I tell my friends here in Egypt about my crafting attempts, they give me a very sympathetic look and change the subject!! BUT YOU’RE EGYPTIAN, YOU CROCHET, AND YOU BLOG!!!!!

    An Egyptian woman who speaks my language.

    You know how you feel when you’re in a foreign country and you bump into someone who grew up on your block back home? That’s how I feel right now!

    ps: I’m not crazy. I know it seems I’m overreacting but I’ve been following crafting blogs for like two years and you’re the first Egyptian I find :D:D

    • jessyz says:
      March 2, 2011 at 1:37 pm

      I am terribly flattered I am happy you like the blog. It is quite sad that many people in Egypt aren’t interested in crafting because it is so awesome. Hope to see you around again. Maybe even start your own blog so we can see more Egyptian crafting online.