World Wide Knit in Public Day

There's a whole lot of knitting going on 13 and 14 June all around New Zealand. These are some of the knitting in public events. so get out with your sticks and yarn and knit anywhere in public...

Auckland:

Hosted by: Hilary Kerrod and Joanna Hayes
Location: Ostend Market, WAIHEKE ISLAND, Auckland
Time: 10:00
Date: June 13, 2009

How to get there:
The kip will be at the OSTEND MARKET which runs from about 8:00 am until about 1:00. There will be signs, and the bus stop from the ferry is just across the road. GOLDCARD holders travel free on ferries and buses
don't forget! We will adjourn to NOURISH Cafe, a short walk down Belgium St, for lunch if desired.

Please bring:
Your knitting, a raincoat, money if you want to spend at the market and/or for coffee, your Goldcard if you have one and a sense of humour!

The backup plan is:
If it rains, NOURISH CAFE will be an alternate venue. It is further down Belgium Street and has a nice covered courtyard, good coffee and food and is knitter-friendly.

This KIP is not knitting exclusive
There are free bathrooms available nearby

Hamilton

Hosted by: Michele Mason
Location: Wintec Hub (Waikato Institute of Technology)
Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Date: June 20, 2009

How to get there:
Wintec Hub (Waikato Institute of Technology). Enter at Gate 5 in Tristram Street, plenty of parking available.

Please bring:
Your knitting, your lunch and a drink. Vending machines are also available in the Hub.

The backup plan is:
Not necessary as there is indoor and outdoor areas.

This KIP is not knitting exclusive
There are free bathrooms available nearby

Tauranga

Hosted by: Gayle
Location: Creative Outlet
Time: 10.00
Date: June 13, 2009

How to get there:
Creative Outlet 89 Grey Street Tauranga Central ph 07 571 3440

Please bring:
Bring your own chair (some will be available, check first) & lots of enthusiasm. We will be knitting blankets for the RSPCA or of course you
can work on your own projects.Crocheters welcome

The backup plan is:
Wet or fine the shop is covered.

This KIP is not knitting exclusive
There are free bathrooms available nearby

Nelson

Hosted by: Nelson Creative Fibre and Victory Community Nan Craft Groups
Location: Elma Turner Library, Nelson
Time: 10.00 - 1.00
Date: June 13, 2009

How to get there:
Halifax Street

Please bring:
Knitting, Crochet, Spinning or any fibre craft.

The backup plan is:
Warm and cosy in the Library. If you can't make Saturday, come on Sunday 1.00 - 4.00 p.m. We'll be there both days.

This KIP is not knitting exclusive
There are free bathrooms available nearby

Greymouth

Hosted by: Ruth Henderson
Location: Frank's Cafe Mackay Street, Greymouth
Time: 7.00pm to 9pm
Date: June 13, 2009

How to get there:
Franks is upstairs in Mackay street, opposite the WINZ office

Please bring:
Your own knitting project, we will have some patterns, needles and wool for beginners

The backup plan is:
No back up plan

This KIP is not knitting exclusive
There are free bathrooms available nearby

Hokitika

Hosted by: Woolly 'Mid West Coast' Westcoasters
Location: Hokitika Craft Gallery, Tancred Street
Time: 10 to 2pm
Date: June 13, 2009

How to get there:
25 Tancred Street, turn left after the second round about

Please bring:
Please bring your lunch, knitting needles and some washable wool. We are making scarves for the Allan Bryant Care Centre, Hokitika. Some wool and needles will be available on the day.

The backup plan is:
We will be inside the Craft Gallery. Please bring a blanket if it is cold.

This KIP is not knitting exclusive
There are free bathrooms available nearby

Christchurch

Hosted by: Amy Hewgill
Location: Dux de Lux, Christchurch
Time: 11:00
Date: June 13, 2009

How to get there:
The Dux de Lux courtyard is located on the corner of Montreal and Hereford St next door to the Arts Centre.

Please bring:
Your needles, yarn/project to work on, money for drinks &/or food. Prizes and games! see our website for more details.

The backup plan is:
If it rains or is too cold our back up plan is the bar inside the Dux de Lux. Look for "WWKIP 2009" banner.

This KIP is not knitting exclusive
There are pay-to-use bathrooms available nearby

Dunedin

Hosted by: Take Back the Knit and Dunedin Creative Fibre
Location: Wall Street Mall, George Street, Dunedin
Time: 2:00pm
Date: June 13, 2009

How to get there:
We'll congregate in the ground floor seating area of the mall, this is easy
to find if you come in the main entrance off George Street.

Please bring:
Pointy sticks and string (or crochet or other fibre arts).

The backup plan is:
There is no backup plan, the location is indoors, warm and well serviced.

This KIP is not knitting exclusive
There are free bathrooms available nearby

Background

World Wide Knit in Public Day was started in 2005 by Danielle Landes.  It began as a way for knitters to come together and enjoy each other’s company.  Knitting is such a solitary act that it’s easy to knit alone somewhere and sink into your work without thinking about all the other knitters out there.  Neighbors could spend all their lives never knowing that the other knits.  This a specific day to get out of your house and go to a local event (with your knitting in tow) just for you and people like you.  Who knows you might even bump into your neighbor!  Consider this a spark, to ignite a fire; getting all of the closeted knitters out into fresh air.

WWKiP Day is unique, in that it's the largest knitter run event in the world. Each local event is put together by a volunteer or a group of volunteers.  They each organize an event because they want to, not because they have to.  They bring their own fresh ideas into planning where the event should be held, and what people would like to do.  If it weren't for these volunteer hosts, WWKiP Day would still just be an idea.  So when you go to your local event, make sure you thank your host(s) and if you're inclined, bring along some yummy treats to share.

In the past some people have used this event as a means to show the general public that ‘not only grannies knit!’ and while that’s great and all, keep in mind that without those ‘grannies’ we wouldn’t have the wealth of knitting knowledge that we do.

WWKiP day is really about showing the general public that knitting can be a community activity in a very distinct way.  In some places there are many different knitting groups that never interact with each other, on WWKiP Day they come together in one place, making them hard to miss.

2005 there were about 25 local events around the world.  In 2006 there were about 70 local events.  2007 there were almost 200.

Over the years there have been local events in Australia, China, England, Finland, France, Ireland, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, United States… and so many more countries.

WWKiP Day takes place on the second Saturday of June each year.