World Wide Knit in Public Day was started in 2005 by Danielle Landes. It is scheduled for the second Saturday in June and began as a way for knitters to come together and enjoy each other’s company. Knitting and crocheting can be such a solitary act that it’s easy to knit alone somewhere and be in your own head. WWKIP Day a specific day to get out of your house and go to a local event (with your knitting in tow) and hang out with like-minded people.
Today, my library hosted our Social Needleworking program outdoors at the newest hotspot in Lansdowne called Lansdowne Landing. The Landing is a new gathering spot which opened in May in historic downtown Lansdowne, PA. Inspired from awesome outdoor gathering places like Philadelphia’s own The Porch or Spruce Street Harbor Park, the Lansdowne Landing will be a fun, festive gathering spot that will be open from 7 am to 10 pm, year round.
The space features a ground mural by Lansdowne native and Penn Wood alumni Brad Carney of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. This project is the vision of Lansdowne Borough, Lansdowne Borough Council and the many citizens on the Lansdowne Landing Committees (I’m on a committee!).
So today we planned to meet at Lansdowne Landing and get together and craft. Mother Nature, however, had other ideas. After weeks of bipolar weather: sweaters needed, wearing flannels to bed at night, the sun came out in full force! Philadelphia humidity rolled in and the sun was just disrespectful! There was a small group who came out but crafting in public was not to be.
While at the Farmer’s Market I was able to meet Lansdowne residents who may not have small kids and won’t always frequent the Library! They all sent their regards against crafting in the heat (again…so stinking hot!) and were interested in possibly meeting up to when conditions are not so gross.
I am still working on The Bee’s move-up day shawl (which may be too hot for her to wear). In between rows, I found a few projects to add to my Revelry queue. There were many freebies to mark World Wide Knit in Public Day and I feel like I added so many ideas to my Library!
One of my Facebook Groups shared some tips to help you keep knitting in public. These tips may not be applicable to you so take them as they apply.
- Always keep your supplies with you; you never know when you’ll find an opportunity or the knitting bug will bite!
- Keep your projects organized. You know you have a bunch of reusable bags. Use them to keep your projects orderly and tidy
- When picking up a ball of yarn, plan. It’s tempting to take the whole ball but keep it simple and only take what you need. (I am still world on this one because The Most Toys all that jazz….
- Work on a project that’s simple. I have found that wrong on some complicated pattern while out and about is frustrating a recipe for dropping stitches and fodder for project time out. Again, keep it simple and work on something with easy repeats.
- Don’t forget your hooks or needles! Yes, you need the tools to create but I have been there when I am down a hook or forgot the second needle. Take a moment to inventory your supplies!
- Have FUN! Crafting in public is a good way to meet people and lay low while people watching. It’s thrilling to make progress on a project and helps passes time when waiting.
I’ve been kind of in a crafting hole. I *need* to finish this poncho but am starting to get to the place where I don’t want to finish. The Bee has been eyeing it, worried that it will be too hot but anxious to see the end result. Today breathed some new life into my needles and I am excited to jump into some of the yarn that I have been hoarding, er, collecting.
Now, tell me about YOUR World Wide Knit in Public Day. Send me a message across social, I’m on there as “sayitrahshay,” and share what you are crafting. You can also peep the Move-up down poncho!
Happy crafting!
-r
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