Toronto Craft Alert

Saturday, June 12, 1:00 – 4:00
Junction Square, 2945 Dundas at Pacific

The 2nd Sunday in June is Worldwide Knit in Public Day (WWKIP Day for those in the know).  The celebration started in Europe in 2005, and is rapidly gaining popularity, thanks to the rise of knitting (and other traditional needle crafts) among a whole new generation of hipsters who dig handmade.

June 12, three organizations are taking over Junction Square (the Junction’s uniquely wonderful empty lot/common area) to not only brazenly knit in public, but to try to break the Guinness World Record for most knitters in one place at one time!  The event is the brainchild of Michelle Van Looy of That’s Women’s Work, who teamed up with Mary Breen of Wise Daughters Craft Market this spring to set the ball (of yarn) rolling.  Because Wise Daughters is already associated with Streetknit, a non-profit that collects handknit woollies for Toronto’s homeless, collaboration among all three partners was perfect.

Participants are encouraged to donate what they knit (that day, or anytime) to Streetknit.  Wise Daughters (3079B Dundas St. W.) is a drop-off point for donations of woollies, yarn and needles.  Streetknit meets the last Tuesday of each month at the shop for an evening of knitting and chatting all year round.

Novices and experts alike are invited to bring a lawn chair, some needles and yarn, and to be part of history!  There will be live entertainment, refreshments and prizes, as well as beginner knitting classes on the spot.  The count for the world record will take place at 3 pm sharp.

To find out more about the Junction Guinness World Record attempt, visit www.wisedaughters.com or www.thatswomenswork.com.  To learn about Streetknit, visit www.streetknit.ca.  And for more information about what’s happening worldwide, visit www.wwkipday.com.