A Tricoteuse, on this website, refers to someone (male or female) who embraces a political movement in the hope of enacting some sort of Revenge against those whom they despise or feel have wronged them.

The word Tricoteuse effectively means “knitting woman”.  It comes from the time of the French Revolution and was bestowed upon certain women who would sit and knit at political meetings and public executions.

“At the Place de la Révolution, the women began to amuse themselves by sitting in the sun and watching the daily executions. To make the most of the event, they placed chairs placed around the guillotine. Women who could afford to pay for the seats, stationed themselves in them. There have also been reports that some women were paid to attend these executions so as to create a worthwhile spectacle and encourage large crowds.

When executions were underway, it was these zealous market women who bellowed and jeered. They were also reputedly among the first to express their disapproval of the accused. Between executions, the women entertained themselves by knitting and chatting with one another. Hence, they became known as “les tricoteuses de la Guillotine” from the word tricoter, to knit.”

Source: www.geriwalton.com/tricoteuse-knitting-women-of-the-guillotine/