wendyhoo's pre-posterous

My space for random thoughts

Bridge knitting: what's next???

Knit CamBRIDGE update!   (Sorry for the long silence ... I've been helping hubby open Millpond Records & Books. Busy days, but more on that later.) 
I received the following email request from the Knit CamBRIDGE HQ earlier today. Please forward this request to any fibre / crafty friends.
By the way, there are many pictures of the bridge on the Facebook group KNIT camBRIDGE.
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Hi Everyone,

As you know after the knitting for the bridge comes down it will be sewn into scarves for the Tie One On Party and to give to charity etc etc.

Here’s one way people can get involved in that effort under the direction of volunteer Joanne Jones. Can you include this info in your websites, twitters and facebooks. Thanks!

Volunteers Needed to Turn the Bridge Knitting Into Scarves and Blankets 

Knitting from the KNIT camBRIDGE project will be sewn into scarves to be sold and auctioned off raising money for local organizations (i.e. YWCA, Food Bank and Cambridge Centre for the Arts) and blankets to be given away to worthwhile causes.  To help out pick up your scarf kit at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts on Saturday, October 16, 2010, between 9am and 11:30am.  All materials and instructions will be provided. The completed scarf must be returned to the Cambridge Centre for the Arts on Sat, October 30, 9am and 11:30am. 

Young people, ages 10 to 17, may volunteer to sew under the supervision of Joanne Jones, at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts on Saturday October 16, 23, and 30, 9am to 11:30am.  Please find details regarding this opportunity at www.minedrecreations.com.  You must register for this volunteer opportunity directly through Joanne Jones info@minedrecreations.com or 519-653-1206 mailbox 1. 

If you are interested in either opportunity and have questions please contact Joanne Jones directly.

 

Thanks,

Sophie

Sophie McCann

Arts Coordinator

Cambridge Centre for the Arts, City of Cambridge

519-740-4681 ext. 4367

www.cambridgecentreforthearts.ca

Knitting for Knit CamBRIDGE

On Monday, I had the pleasure of spending the day with Sue Sturdy ~and company~ at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts. What a busy and inspiring space!  We were busy organizing the knitting into different sizes, rolling long strips of knitting into manageable logs, and stacking them onto Sue's office windowsills - some of my favourite images are of these knitting "logs".  

Hope you enjoy these photos I took on Monday. The knitting that is coming in is fantastic. I shouldn't just say knitting because I saw one bad-@ss crochet project: colourful skulls & crossbones.  And, there are many other crochet works that have been generously donated.  

Tonight, as usual on Wednesday evenings, we're gathering to knit and chat. We'll be at the Hespeler Library by the fireplace in the big comfy chairs from 6:30 - 8:30.  There are rumblings of moving our gathering to a local coffee shop that has recently re-opened but we can decide that later. Today, we're at the library. :) 


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Cold day in ... May? Greg knits!

Okay, so it isn't actually a cold day in July. Regardless, a rather momentous and highly remarkable event has recently occurred.  

This actually happened: Greg says to Wendy, "I should learn how to knit." 

The background? We were sitting at Melville Cafe, gazing over the Grand River and the Main Street bridge, whilst sipping coffee.  The Knit CamBRIDGE basket was nearby so I picked up the ongoing knitting. Nothing unusual here. But then, Greg reminded me about the Guinness Record Attempt on June 19.  "I should learn how to knit." I nearly fell off my chair. 

So, I showed him what to do. He was, I might add, a rather adroit student or I'm a really good teacher. Another, more likely possibility is that knitting really isn't that difficult. Anyone can knit ... if they want to.  

I'm attaching proof of Greg's first foray into the fibre arts. There's also a lovely photo of yours truly with the Main Street Bridge in the background. It's looking all cold and bland: definitely needs a warm bridge cozy. The final photo is completely random: Greg took it today when we were walking along the Grand River below the flood walls. I love the textures and subtle colours.

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Knitting Night...

If you live near Hespeler - north end of Cambridge kinda near Guelph - join me next Wednesday evening at the library. I'm a spinner and a knitter but love all fibre crafts. Bring your project and let's sit, knit and chat! Don't know how to knit or wish you knew more?? I'm happy to share what I know ... :)

Knitting Night
-> 6:30-ish till 8:30 (when the library closes & we get kicked out)
-> Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - possibly ongoing! 
-> We're sitting by the fireside in the big comfy chairs. 
-> Library staff is pulling books for us to peruse and borrow.  

There is a facebook group and a Ravelry topic started in the Ontario Knitters Unite group.  Also, feel free to contact me directly. My email is wendyhoodmorris[at]gmail[dot]com.  Oh, and I'm wendyhoo on Ravelry. :)

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Monthly Knitting Circle

TONIGHT!!!  Join knitters and history enthusiasts as we learn about:  "Textiles and Cambridge: A Match Made in History"

Tonight's speaker is Karen Dearlove. Karen holds a PhD in History from McMaster University and is the Executive Director of the Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre in Brantford. She has organized two local history symposiums held in Cambridge and is planning a third to be held in 2011. Karen is also Chair of the Cambridge Archives Advisory Board and on the Steering Committee for the Waterloo Regional Museum. 

Her talk will recount the significant impact the textile industry played in shaping the communities of this area.

7pm social
7:30 pm talk

FREE ADMISSION

Cambridge Centre for the Arts 60 Dickson Street, Cambridge
740-4681 ext. 4376
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Can't make it tonight?  How about Monday, June 7

Debbie New – "Unexpected Knitting"

Knitter, author and teacher Debbie New enjoys the non-traditional possibilities of knitting and has masterminded innovative freeform techniques, such as 'virtual knitting' and 'swirl knitting', to achieve striking effects in her work. She has won many awards and has been named Waterloo Region's Visual Artist of the Year.

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September/October/November

Monthly Knitting Circles with resume again with more wonderful speakers to look forward to. Updates will be posted on the website below.

For more information on the Artist-in-Residence program of events, including the KNIT camBRIDGE project, contact Sue at 740-4681 ext. 4491 or sturdys@cambridge.ca
Program information can also be found at www.cambridgecentreforthearts.ca
KNIT camBRIDGE website: www.knitcambridge.com
Facebook: KNIT camBRIDGE

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Volunteers Needed for World Record Attempt!!!

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR A

WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT!

 To celebrate the important history of the knitting industry in the Cambridge area and knitting as a vital contemporary art form, on Saturday, June 19 Artist-in-Residence Sue Sturdy is inviting knitters to attempt to set a new world record for the most people knitting simultaneously!

A team of volunteers will be needed to assist with this event to: 

  • Count people coming into the record setting area (civic square)
  • Officially witness the record attempt 
  • Provide information and directions to participants
  • Assist vendors
  • Assist with on stage activities including a knit fashion parade and knitting games
  • Help with event set up, teardown and clean up

If you are interested, please contact Sophie McCann at mccanns[@]cambridge.ca or call 519-740-4681 ext. 4367. Full orientation provided.

Join the World Wide Knit in Public Day event on Facebook!!  

City of Cambridge to Strive for World Record! #WWKiP

Here's the press release regarding Cambridge's upcoming World Wide Knit in Public Day on June 19.  Please feel free to share it with other knitters.  Would love to make a go of the Guinness World Record! 


From my understanding, there needs to be plenty of volunteers: one volunteer for every 50 knitters!  Please let Sue or Sophie know if you're interested in being a volunteer. Their contact information is at the bottom of the press release. 



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For Immediate Release

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Cambridge Onboard to Strive for Record

‘World Wide Knitting Day’ Attempts Guinness’s Book Record

 

Cambridge, Ontario. April 13, 2010…Time to get the knitting needles out and join Cambridge Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Sue Sturdy as knitters from across the region and beyond come together in an effort to break the current world record of 937 simultaneous knitting participants. 

 

‘World Wide Knit in Public Day’ is slated for Saturday June 19th. Between 8:00 am and 12:00 noon Cambridge will celebrate this artistic form of fibre art including participating in the simultaneous knit-off at 10:30 am which will attempt to go down in the Guinness’s World Book of Records. 

 

Knitters of all ages and skill sets are invited to Civic Square, in front of Cambridge City Hall, to participate in this unique community event.  It is important to note that those people wishing to participate in the knit-off for the record must register in advance (on-site) between 8:00 am and 10:30 am.

 

“After a brief presentation at 10:30 am the go ahead to start knitting will be declared. All participants must knit simultaneously with two separate needles for at least 15 minutes,” says Fibre Artist Sue Sturdy, Cambridge’s AIR.

 

Rain or shine, the event will take place as special arrangements for an alternate indoor location are in play. There’s plenty to do:

§   Gather in Civic Square to socialize, knit and share experiences

§   Enjoy a knitting vendors’ fair inside City Hall

§   Visit the art gallery at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts

§   Experience the tastes of the Cambridge Farmers’ Market

§   Purchase a delicious apple dumpling and coffee at Wesley United Church

§   And, enjoy activities on the outdoor stage including a parade of knitting fashions and knitting games

 

“There are even prizes for participants - knitters are encouraged to wear a favourite piece of clothing that they have knitted,” Sturdy adds.

 

The City is also looking for volunteers to help with the event.  As well, knitting organizations or retailers who wish to be in the knitting vendors’ fair should connect right away to be part of this amazing day.

 

‘World Wide Knit in Public Day’ began in 2005 by founder Danielle Landes to bring together knitters. It has expanded to include events around the world and this year, the program introduced ‘World Wide Knit in Public Week’ (June 12-20, 2010) to enable more groups and organizations to get involved.

 

More information on the program, as well as the Cambridge Centre for the Arts can be found at www.cambridgecentreforthearts.ca. For information on the KNIT camBRIDGE project go to www.knitcambridge.com


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About the Artist in Residence (AIR) 

Each year an artist is selected for the position of Artist-in-Residence (A.I.R.) at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts.  The artist shares their talents and skills with the community by engaging in various art initiatives that involve participation and arts education. The program is in part funded by the Cambridge Arts Guild.  The 2010 AIR is Cambridge fibre artist Sue Sturdy. Sue will be holding a series of events and programs to explore knitting as a contemporary art form and celebrate its role as a founding industry in Cambridge. One initiative, KNIT camBRIDGE, involves an opportunity for knitters to contribute pieces to be used in the covering of the Main Street Bridge in knitting!

 

Contacts:

 

Sue Sturdy, AIR

sturdys@cambridge.ca

519.740.4681 ext 4491

 

Sophie McCann, Arts Coordinator

Cambridge Centre for the Arts (www.cambridgecentreforthearts.ca)

mccanns@cambridge.ca

519.740.4681 ext 4367

 

Want to knit or crochet for the KNIT camBRIDGE project?

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HOW DO I CONTRIBUTE KNITTING TO THE KNIT camBRIDGE  PROJECT? 

 

Knitted/crocheted pieces of any size will be accepted but at the moment preference is for: 

  1. Pieces 21” x 27” (or as close as possible to this) to cover the 267 handrails on the bridge
  2. Pieces 6” or 8” wide by 50”-60” long to cover 303 handrail spaces 
  3. Pieces as long as you like that are 8”, 10” or 22” wide
  4. Pieces 30” wide, minimum 12” long, maximum 4 ft long to cover columns

You may use any type of yarn, pattern, colour and knitting technique you wish. 

Please drop the pieces off at the front desk of the Cambridge Centre for the Arts, 60 Dickson Street, Cambridge. The Arts Centre can be reached at 519-740-4681 x 4376. 

Please attach a piece of paper to the knitting with your name, address, phone number and email. 

Thanks for being a part of this exciting community project!  Stay tuned for updates on the bridge project and all of the other related knitting events and programs at www.cambridgecentreforthearts.ca 

 

CONTACT: Sue Sturdy, 2010 Artist-in-Residence at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts 

519-740-4681 x 4491, or email sturdys@cambridge.ca

Hespeler is where it's at:

Small towns are where it's at: Hespeler (Cambridge) Ontario is a lovely place to live.  Great shops, friendly people, a beautiful library, a growing history museum (also known as the Company of Neighbours), a river with walking trails, and all within walking distance of home.  What more could a girl want? 

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