Worldwide Knit in Public Day

Every summer, knitters in Prescott gather at the Farmers Market for two Saturdays in row to commemorate World Wide Knit in Public Days (WWKIP).

With no political agenda, no religious or retail affiliation, no age or gender limits, this is simply a chance for anyone who loves to knit/crochet or would like to learn to gather and knit at the Prescott Farmers Market.

First observed in 2009, in 2010, the events fell on Saturday June 12 and 19. In 2011, it’s June 11 and 18.

The local gathering was founded originally by two knitting buddies. From that start, a group of over 150 called “Prescott Knitters” stays in touch via www.Ravelry.com (Ravelry is a free online knitting community; if you join,  just navigate to “forums” and search for “Prescott Knitters” to participate with the local group).

Prescott Knitters meet weekly throughout town to knit (and crochet) together at coffeehouses and restaurants, coordinate “yarn tours” throughout the region, knit for charity, and serve as a mini economic development and tourism bureau for the city of Prescott.

A number of Prescott Knitters participants discovered the group online (thanks to Ravelry) prior to moving to Prescott and are now active members of the local knitting (and crocheting) community.

In fact, people from as far away as Saudi Arabia, Canada and Costa Rica have contacted Prescott Knitters prior to trips to the area, and have then attended meetups with other Prescott Knitters while in town.

All of this interest in meeting to knit has benefited local yarn shops, since the group receives frequent inquiries about where to shop while visiting the area.

Other benefits of participating in Prescott Knitters include free technical assistance with knitting projects, cross-generational fellowship and networking, and most importantly, keeping the legacy of this needle arts form alive for coming generations.

There is no membership fee or requirement to participate in Prescott Knitters, and knitters (and crocheters) of all ages and experience levels are welcome.

Though the group depends on Ravelry as its main communication tool, Prescott Knitters is very much a community based group, and looks forward to gathering annually at the Prescott Farmers Market, as a way to connect with other knitters of all generations.

PFM director Erin Lingo has generously offered us free use of the community booth space at the market every year.

Bring your needles and a chair and plan to stay as long as you like.

Come early to help us set up if you can (7:00 or so) or just come to check things out. We’ll be on hand till about noon both Saturdays. Be sure to bring:
a chair
sunscreen
jacket
something to drink
something to knit or at least some empty needle so you can “taste” some new yarns.

Food is available for purchase at the market; you’ll want to allow some time to shop at the market, too. The crowd is nice and friendly. The weather is unpredictable, so be ready for possible wind, rain or heat!

(edited/updated June 11, 2011)