Knit

As part of this year's Norwich pride celebrations local artist Helenofnorwich is asking for groups and individuals to contribute squares to make a giant rainbow knitted scarf. She particularly wants to hear from local faith groups who may be able to provide venues for a 'knit in' which would allow new knitters to learn to make squares and meet with their local community.

Helen says:
"This project aims to bring together two of my favourite things. Them being knitting and people. ( I also love dogs but they tend to get either very tangled up or eat the wool.)
"I am hoping that local organizations and businesses such as schools, pubs, churches and shops will contribute knitted squares or spaces for 'knit ins' where people can learn to knit from more experienced knitters.
"I also want this to be as low carbon as possible so please use spare balls of wool from friends or neighbours or buy from charity shops. Get together as locally as possible to a 'knit in' near you."

Interested?
You can be part of this project in a number of ways:

• Donate wool or needles - there are a number of drop off points for wool and needles.
• Knit a square - see below
• Stage a 'knit in' - use your local church hall, community centre or pub to stage a knit in.

Artist helenofnorwich's audacious attempt to cover the balcony of city  hall with a giant rainbow scarf made by hundreds of local people, is  generating excitement across the city and right now she knows of  nearly 50 people knitting 15cmx15cm squares. Businesses are backing  the campaign - Sew Creative on Magdalen St are offering special prices  on wool for the Pride Knitters and the Tea Lounge on Ber St is now an  official Knit-Stop. You can drop off squares and pick up wool here or  even do a few rows whilst you're having a cuppa - they've started some  squares for you to knit whilst in the cafe.

Latest Knit with Pride News
St.Lawrence Textile Centre on St Benedicts St is being taken over by KNIT WITH PRIDE on Sunday 6th June, 1-4pm. tea, Biscuits and Knitting - it's going to be delicious!! For more info check out the Knit with Pride Facebook Group.

How to knit a square

In order that the final scarf looks lovely and can then be split into usable blankets, it is important that the squares are all the same size, although different colours.

All squares must be 15cm by 15cm and must be in double knitting wool. You must knit in garter stitch. (Garter stitch means all knit stitches.) They can be any of the colours of the rainbow and any shade from dark to light. They must not be brown, black, grey or cream.

I suggest you use 4mm (size 8) knitting needles and cast on 30 stitches and then knit until the item is square and then cast off. If the square is too big you need to use smaller needles or less stitches. If it is too small then you need to use bigger needles or more stitches. Only squares of the right size can be used.

To keep down the carbon footprint, why not use wool from charity shops, eBay, or ask a neighbour.

Helen's Knit with Pride campaign was featured recently (right) in inner city, Norwich City Council's staff newspaper.

You can drop off squares at Anna's Farm Stores on Magdalen Road.

Ring 07747 751656 if you need help!



... and here is the event listing!:

Mammoth Woolly to hang from City Hall After months of knitting by hundreds of people across Norfolk a giant rainbow scarf is to be hung from the balcony of city hall on Friday afternoon 30 July 2010. Since March this year we have been having 'knit-ins' at pubs, offices and church halls. The progress of the scarf has been followed by over a hundred people on Facebook. We have been receiving squares from all over the world as people's relatives from abroad pitched in to help. There was a target of 1000 squares but there are at least 1500 at the last count. Brainchild of artist Helenofnorwich who asked people to knit a square to show support for Norwich Pride, the scarf is over 30 metres long and all the colours of the rainbow. 'I wanted a way for people from all walks of life to be able to be part of Norwich Pride, the response has been... absolutely amazing. I particularly asked churches to be involved and we have had knitting groups from all over the county busy making squares for the project' The scarf will be carried from St. Gregory's Centre for the Arts, Pottergate at 1pm this Friday to city hall where it will be hung from balcony, then Coucillor Jeremy Hooke will say a few words and Rev Phillip Young from St Thomas church will bless the scarf. After the scarf has been displayed it will be broken up into blankets to be sold and the money given to charity. A massive thank you to all the people with have knitted squares, sewn together blankets, hosted knit ins - thanks to the St. Lawrence Textile Centre on St Benedict's street - and to Anna at the Farm Stores on Magdalen street for being a base for dropping off of squares. This event is on Facebook.

About The St. Lawrence Textile Centre

The St. Lawrence Textile Centre is a wonderland like no other... it's crammed with vintage gems, wearable head art, lavish jewellery, beautiful photography and some remarkable and stunning bespoke garments! If you long for something that fits like a glove or want to see the inspiring studio space then St.Lawrence textile centre is the place to be.

This sensational emporium supports and showcases work of the most talented in the fashion and textile industry. Not only do the innovators create but they also offer the chance of teaching a skill for life!! So if you would like to learn how to do...


embroidery / hand and machine knitting / dress making / fashion illustration / pattern cutting / crochet / weaving / spinning

...then simply email stlawrencetextilecentre@yahoo.co.uk for more details.