Latest news with #WorldKnitinPublicDay
Winnipeg Free Press
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Knit in Public at Assiniboine Park June 14
Crescentwood Sometimes the most interesting things are hidden in plain view. There is public opinion, public transit, public good. And then there is knitting in public. This weekend marks the 20th anniversary of World Knit in Public Day – the one day a year that introverts who knit can converse with other knitters. Or not. Every second Saturday in June, knitters of all ages will take their needles and gather in a designated public place in what has become the largest knitting event in the world. Winnipeg organizer Crystal Salkeld is inviting all those who knit to join approximately 100 others to knit for joy on June 14 from 1-4 p.m. at the northwest corner of Assiniboine Park. There is no fee to participate in spirit with knitters from Saudi Arabia, Germany, Australia, Japan, Turkey, Brazil and across Canada, to name but a few of the countries participating. Those who want to learn this ancient art form, which dates to the 4th century AD, are welcome to check out Crystal's classes and unique wools at Purl and Hank, of which she is proprietor, at 2063 Portage Ave. (204-832-8554). Photo by Heather Emberley Shar Lynn, volunteer co-ordinator of Yarn Works at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg, is pictured with a Bear Clan Patrol comfort bear. 'Most people don't know all the health benefits that come from knitting. It's not just for grannies,' said Salkeld, a busy wife and mother of three sons. Yes, men knit in public thanks to football players such as famous football player Jim Brown or movie star Ryan Reynolds. Tell the man in your life that Tom Hanks and David Arquette knit and before you know it men will be knitting on buses, in coffee shops and in line at the grocery store, joining the growing number of gender-inclusive knitters. I'm told that some folks knit as a form of anger management, others for stress reduction – some say it beats speed-dating. Kids can knit either with needles or by hand-knitting. For many, a knitting hobby that began in childhood became a lifelong activity. The world's oldest knitter, Australian Alfie Date, began knitting in 1932 and continued making tiny sweaters to aid penguins in distress from oil spills until his dying day at age 109. Chase the Chill Yarn Bombing was launched in 2011 in Winnipeg (at the time it was just the second event of its type in the world) and is held the first Saturday of December. It involves knitted scarves being left in public spaces throughout Old Market Square. Each scarf has a tag welcoming those who are cold to take one as a gift. Another avid Winnipeg knitter is Shar Lynn, volunteer Yarn Works co-ordinator at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg. Not only is knitting a passion for her, but it also complements the church's commitment to social justice and serving the community while doing something she loves. Knitting with purpose for Shar means she is Bear Clan Patrol's star stitcher. Her creations include black Bear Clan sweaters, orange sweaters for Every Child Matters and unique red dresses to honour Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls. The sweaters are lovingly matched with just the right teddy bear (known as comfort bears) donated by Mennonite Central Committee Thrift Store. Shar Lynn's bears have appeared at conferences, workshops and in many public displays. Mondays A weekly look at news and events that matter in your communities. 'I feel connected to community when I knit for Bear Clan,' Shar said. While not one for public accolades, Shar has made a tremendous contribution to reconciliation. One can appreciate knitting be it for personal satisfaction or for therapeutic reasons, to donate warmth to the unsheltered or to craft an heirloom for one's progeny. The benefits are as varied as the stitches. In the words of Crystal Salkeld, 'keep on knitting.' Heather EmberleyCrescentwood community correspondent Heather Emberley is a community correspondent for Crescentwood. Email her at if you have a story suggestion. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Otago Daily Times
10-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Nimble needles create for others
World Knit in Public Day on June 14 will see at least two groups gathering in public to knit and others are welcome to join them from 10am to noon at Chertsey Cafe or the Ashburton Public Library. The Chertsey gathering will include a combination of two groups who meet regularly, one in Rakaia and the other in Methven. The Rakaia Knitting and Crochet Group and Methven Catholic Women's League (CWL) knitting group meet on the second Saturdays of the month. The Rakaia group meet at the Rakaia scout den from 10am to noon, and Methven group meet at 9.30am at Our Lady of the Snows Parish Centre. Earlier this year another group started in Methven – Knit n Natter Coffee. They meet on a Fridays at 10.30am at either Station Cafe or Cafe 45. There are a growing number of newcomers to Methven joining the group as it provides a way to meet new people as well as improve knitting skills and get advice on knitting. Rakaia group co-ordinator Bridget Armstrong said she knits because she wants to keep her hands busy. Her group has created blankets for NZ Gift of Love and Strength and some of the members are working on blankets for the Nest Collective or scarves for veterans as part of Operation Wrapped in Remembrance. The Methven group are busy creating little singlets, jumpers and blankets for the Nest Collective. Group member Susan Dickson said they have made blankets for Plunket and an animal rescue charity in the past. When Armstrong was looking for something to do with the blankets her group were creating she came across the collective and thought it was a worthy organisation to support. She is the Mid Canterbury collection point for goods for them. ''As nest makers (the name of those who create for the collective) it is good to know the items we donate will be used to support families in Canterbury,'' Dickson said The Methven CWL knitters have been supporting the collective for about four years. They have also made 100 pairs of woollen booties for Ashburton Hospital maternity. The Nest Collective provide new and good quality baby items to those who are most in need. Focusing on the critical first 1000 days of life, their pepi packs provide the physical resources that nurture the health, development and wellbeing of babies and their whanau, while alleviating material hardship. Clients are referred to the service via social workers. WKIPD was founded in 2005 by Danielle Landes and remains the world's largest knitting event. The earliest known accounts of knitting date back to at least the fifth-century Egypt. Egyptians used to knit cotton fibres, not wool. World Knit in Public Day events in Mid Canterbury include public knitting sessions, everyone welcome at 10am on June 14 at the Chertsey Cafe and the Ashburton Library. There is no need to book for these free events just turn up. By Dellwyn Moylan
