World Wide Knit in Public Day, Christchurch

Press release: immediate
Date: May 30, 2009

World Wide Knit in Public Day, Christchurch
Saturday 13th June

Pick up your pins, needles and hooks to join a craft-loving community, bringing cheer to the centre of Christchurch this winter. World Wide Knit in Public Day is an annual event that takes place on the second Saturday of June. This year’s event will be on Saturday 13th June between 11am and 3pm at the Dux de Lux, in Christchurch.

Did you know?
• World Wide Knit in Public Day, Christchurch 2008 was the largest event in the world, attracting over 180 participants.

• Those taking part included children, students, professional businesswomen, new mums, mothers and daughters, boyfriends and girlfriends and nanas.

• The 2009 event is supported by 11 sponsors who believe that WWKIP Day is a worthwhile community event.

Crafters all over the world will be hitting the streets to celebrate this great annual event which began in 2005 as a way for knitters to come together and enjoy each other’s company, be inspired and share skills. Although, knitting is the main focus, in recent years, the event has become inclusive of other fibre crafts.

World Wide Knit in Public Day in Christchurch began in 2007 through the efforts of a willing group of craft makers. Spearheaded by Amy Hewgill, a knitter, crocheter, spinner, and small-business owner, the event promotes the community, activity, creativity, and art of knitting in New Zealand. This year there is a programme of events that will lead up to the World Wide Knit in Public Day on Saturday 13th June. The events have been organised to appeal to people who are not necessarily knitters. The events include:

• Extreme Knit photo competition - featuring people combining their love of knitting with the thrills of out door activities from tramping, sailing, snow-boarding and rock-climbing etc. The only limit to Extreme Knit is the imagination of participants, although we urge people to be careful because knitting can be a dangerous activity with needles and yarn to contend with. Deadline for entries is June 1st

• Cast-Off Knitting Workshop – This free beginner’s knitting class on Wednesday 3rd June aims to inspire people who’d like to take up knitting and teach them the basic skills to get started. Sponsored by Hands Ashford. Places are limited so booking is essential. Contact 03 355 9099 to book a place.

• Knit Your Own Alien – a competition to help combat the threat of UFOs (Unfinished Objects). This activity calls for people to dive into their wool stash to create your own alien who will guard against further UFOs appearing in your closet. The sky’s the limit where imagination and creativity are concerned. Entries can be knitted, felted or crocheted. People should bring along their completed alien to the Dux de Lux on Saturday 13th June where the judging will take place at 2pm.

Amy Hewgill is passionate about the benefits of knitting
“The aim of the day is to build a craft-loving community through the art of knitting. By encouraging people to join in and take part in the related activities we aim to share skills, promote the art of knitting and above all have fun.”

Full details of the events and activities are available online at www.knit.org.nz. WWKIP Day will also have fun competitions taking part throughout the day for novices and experienced knitters alike.

• 11am – 3pm Knit surgery If you’ve lost your way on a project pop along to our ‘knit surgery’ for some 1:1 advice. A team of knitters will be on hand throughout the day to offer their suggestions to help you complete your project. This is a drop in session with consultations of up to 10 minutes.

• 12 noon The DAC Award (Dedication and Commitment Award) Bring along the project that gives you sleepless nights, tears, love and despair!

• 12:30 lasta pasta casta Competition knitting with dried, hard spaghetti as knitting needles

• 1pm Fastest knitter competition Think you’re the fastest knitter in Christchurch? Bring along your 4.5 mm needles to find out!

• 1:30 Most improved knitter competition. Our knit monitor will assess your progress over the day – beginners welcome

• 2pm Knit your own alien – winners announced

Ends