Instead of talking about just any average crafting project, I want to talk about one that is not only inexpensive to make, but quite literally makes a statement.

On Jan. 21, thousands of women supporters all over the country participated in the Women’s March taking a stand for women’s rights as well as protesting President Trump’s election. The streets became a “sea of pink,” and one DIY project made quite the appearance.

Pussyhats are intended to make a visual statement of supporting women’s rights as well as give supporters of women’s rights a way to come together. The pink hat features cat ears and is meant to be a reference to Trump’s infamous comment to grab women by the… well you already know. Very quickly, the project took off.

Now, I go to school in San Luis Obispo, a small town far away from the country’s political epicenter, so I was curious as to whether or not these hats made a showing at the Women’s March that took place here. As it turns out, they did.

“They were everywhere,” said student Emily Lomasney. “There was literally a sea of pink.” Lomasney said that she has even seen students wearing them around campus.

“The more we are seen, the more we are heard. Let’s come together to support women’s rights in a creative and impactful way.” – The Pussyhat Project

Krista Suh and Jayna Zweiman began the project after the Presidential Election, fully anticipating a march. Their idea was to get as many marchers as they could to make these hats as a visual statement.

They teamed up with their knitting teacher and owner of The Little Knittery, Kat Coyle, to come up with a design for the hat. Coyle created a design that was simple enough for beginners to craft and modify to make it their own.

The design is essentially a rectangle that is folded and sewn together. Once that hat is on, the corners have a cat-like appearance. Some crafters opt for some beading, sparkles, and other embellishments to personalize their hat.

The Pussyhat Project even has instructional videos and patterns for knitting, sewing, and crocheting these hats.

Not only are the hats easy to make, but the Pussyhat project partnered with yarn stores all over the country that assisted in delivering the hats to the march or sending them back to the Pussyhat Project. Supporters who could not attend the March were encouraged to make as many of these hats as possible and donate them to any of the participating locations or hand them out at the Women’s March.

Affordable, obtainable, and even making a statement, The Pussyhat Project has quickly become a crafting revolution.

Featured image by Mark Dixon, Creative Commons