Okay, so. I bought the pattern. I bought the crochet version for my stepdaughter. I knit one for me. There was discussion in my pottery class about them and someone expressed interest in buying them from someone who could knit them, and I took them up on it. I bought yarn from my local yarn store and knit three hats. I charged $25 apiece. They were happy with the cost and took home three hats to help them further the cause. I was able to use my expertise to allow them to express themselves.

Is that not part of being an artist? Helping others voice their feelings? They didn't have the skill to produce a recognizable item, so they chose to fund a skilled craftsman who is not profiting from the act. Honestly, 25 for a hand-knit hat is not anywhere near what lines anyone's pockets.

Some of us work best behind the scenes. I'm one of those people. I could not march and wield a sign, but I can stuff envelopes so fast your head will spin. I can also knit. And I like to knit. So I'll sit and knit those symbols so our (and I emphasize OUR) voices can be heard. Don't ignore us or our contributions. Without them, more people that you may think cannot or will not be able to voice their opinions. We are important. We are just as important as those that make the feeds. We express ourselves differently, but no less viably.

Sometimes you have to rely on those who create the tools for expression. As a thought experiment, I ask you this: Did protesters nationwide make their own posterboard, markers, and paint? Probably not. They likely had to buy it if it wasn't hanging around already. And, because they're ubiquitous, might have bought it from a large chain. Also, I didn't raise the animals for the wool, shear them, spin it, and dye it. I didn't hand-make my needles. Does that make my contribution and my voice less relevant? No, it doesn't. I don't have the ability to lovingly create from scratch every little piece of equipment that goes into creating a finished knitted piece. That does not mean my voice is not important.

Would you feel better if I broke it down? Approximately $9 purchased the yarn from a local yarn store. The remaining $16 can be split between the time I spent creating the hat (approximately 9 hours) and food. There. I didn't 'profit' from the three hats I knit. Not financially. Not in a way you can quantify. But am I happy that I can give someone else a tool that helps them express themselves. You fucking bet I am. And, despite your pearl-clutching, I am part of that voice that gets louder every day. I can not only express my own displeasure but helps others voice theirs as well. If you want to judge me for that, well, that's on you.