GENEies March!

My family at the Boston March for Science

The March for Science happened just over two months ago.  The journey of designing the GENEie collection of DNA beanies, headbands and pussyhats was a whirlwind.  Not only are these some of my favorite designs ever, but you responded so positively to them, too.  The Boston March for Science was the first time that I saw someone wearing one of my designs... and I saw at least 10!  

The first time I ever found my designs on the street!  GENEies at the March for Science Boston.

I didn't take pictures with everyone I found wearing a GENEie (one of the kid speakers was wearing a plasmid headband!)  When I asked you, my amazing followers, to submit pictures of your GENEies that marched around the world, you delivered.  In Ravelry you can find pictures of many finished GENEies, but you don't always get to see them in action at the marches.  Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to submit pictures and give me permission to use them here on ChemKnits.  

GENEie Hats go Marching - Your Photo Submissions

Submitted by Reneta P., Boston, MA

Reneta P marched in Boston, too.  I didn't speak to her at the rally, but her sign caught my eye and when I realized she was also wearing a GENEie I was thrilled.  Reneta marched "because science is the way to understand the world and make it a better place."

Submitted by Jessica McGrath, Boston, MA

Jessica McGrath marched in Boston because "I'm a scientist and because science makes everyone's life better."  Puppies marched for science in GENEies, too!  I love the DNA helix of the GENEie Pussyhat in a contrasting color, it really pops.  

Submitted by Laura Patterson.  Washington, D.C.

Laura Patterson took a fantastic selfie at the Washington Monument.  "I'm from Sacramento, but I marched in D.C. representing California State Scientists. Critical thinking using empirical evidence is so important to tackling every issue we face, and I find the increasing disregard for science and facts as the bases for making decisions dismaying." I would have loved to travel to DC for the March for Science, but I am impressed by how many satellite marches there were.  

Submitted by Heather Kvale, Washington, D.C.

Heather Kvale also marched for science in Washington, D.C.  "me (headband), my husband (didn't have time to make him a hat), and our friend Katie (hat). :) Thank you so much for the patterns!"  It was my pleasure, Heather!  

Submitted by Bridget Shobe, Washington, D.C. 

Submitted by Bridget Shobe, Washington, D.C. 

"My name is Bridget Shobe and I marched in Washington DC. I knit several of the DNA hats for myself and friends! I am an environment science student at UMBC."  I love her slouchy version of the original cable GENEie hat!  I also love the picture of Bridget and her friends wearing brain hats.  There were so many interesting pro-science outfits at all of the marches.  It was wonderful to see what people created!  

Submitted by Lori Cambell.  Vancouver, BC, Canada

Lori Campbell submitted a photo she took while at the march in Vancouver, BC.  She didn't make or wear the hat, but she "did complement [the owner] on her lovelywork."

Submitted by Lauren Ross Feldman, Princeton, NJ

Lauren Ross Feldman marched in Princeton, NJ.  She has a PhD in linguistics and marched because "I believe in facts and research.  I do not believe that science is partisan."

Submitted by Lauren Ross Feldman, Princeton, NJ

Feldman added with her next photo submission, "I marched because my child - the one whose hand I am holding in this picture - almost died in October 2014 because of a mesenteric defect we didn't know she had. She is alive and well today because of science. Because of research and medicine. The first thing I said to my husband the morning after the election was 'How much federal funding do you think CHOP gets?' I am terrified for us and for all our children that there are answers out there, cures and treatments and prevention, that we desperately need funding & research to discover, and that this administration will set us back decades and we will lose lives and suffer quality of life."

Submitted by Lisa Hansen, San Francisco, CA

Lisa Hansen marched in San Francisco.  "We marched because we believe science is the best way to find solutions for problems, and that it has to be ALL science. You can't just pick the parts you like. Yes, science has got it wrong, but we always strive to be right. We study, we think, we challenge."

Submitted by Kathy W, San Francisco, CA

Kathy W marched in San Francisco with her sister-in-law, Catherine D.  I enjoy the peek of a palm tree in the background.  I'm not sure how the weather in CA was on April 22 but I bet it was warmer than Boston!  

Submitted by Katie Cabral, San Francisco, CA. 

Katie Cabral marched in San Francisco.  She took this photo at the UCSF pre-rally.

Submitted by Amy Replogle, Tacoma, WA.  

Amy Replogle  "marched in Tacoma, WA with a group of faculty, staff and students from the University of Puget Sound (it was my job to gather the contingent, hence the banner I'm wearing)."

Submitted by Rachie MGruis, Salt Lake City, UT

Rachie MGruis marched in Salt Lake City.  I love her crochet applique GENEIE (aka spliced.)  I still wish that I had been able to design a full crochet version of the DNA cable, but I'm glad that some crocheters liked the spliced work around.  

Submitted by Rachel Smith Gebauer, Klamath Falls, OR.

Some people marched with crowds of thousands of people.  Rachel Smith Gebauer marched in Klamath Falls, Oregon with "100+ marchers in a rural Red town."  Rachel said, "I wore it proudly at our local March. I wore my Science Not Silence button on the opposite side."

Submitted by Nancy Adams, Portland, OR.

There were so many different science hats representing many fields across the country.  Nancy Adams submitted a photograph of her daughter and her friends at the Portland, Oregon march.  "In addition to the GENEie hat are the Science March Forest Beanie and Swimming Bacteria hats."  

A post shared by Erin Huggins (@erin.hugs) on Apr 22, 2017 at 12:39pm PDT

Erin Huggins (@erin.hugs) marched in Columbia, South Carolina.

A post shared by Patricia (@madlycreativeme) on Apr 3, 2017 at 2:16pm PDT

Patricia (@madlycreativeme) marched in Seattle, WA.   Her science pins were really epic and really elevated the knit GENEie hat.

A post shared by Patricia (@madlycreativeme) on Apr 29, 2017 at 11:58am PDT

Thank you so much for sharing these pictures with me, and giving me permission to share them! Writing up this post I am feeling all of the feels. I love connecting with different knitters and crafters, but to connect through our love of crafting and our commitment to raising our voices was especially inspiring. Please don't forget to use your voice to speak up about the issues you care about. Take time to contact your elected officials (I like 5calls.org and I've heard positive things about Resistbot.)