Tulsa’s 2009 World Wide Knit in Public Day

2009-06-13T19:27:00.018-05:00

WWKIP Hosted by Cherry Street Farmers Market
13 June 2009

Knitters gathered from far and wide to spend a day enjoying a fiber craft that they love. In attendance the Tulsa WWKIP had knitters not only from Tulsa, but Holdenville, Sperry, Tahlequah, Oklahoma City, Jenks, Turley, Claremore, Owasso, Delaware, Broken Arrow, Kellyville and Rolla, Missouri and Washington, DC. What a turnout! And this was just the beginning of a long day of fiber fun for many of the knitters. After spending the morning at market and a relaxing lunch, a yarn crawl was scheduled to local shops for most knitters, followed by a photo safari for some. The evening closed with the monthly Knit 1, Drink 2 at a local Tulsa pub.

Two tote bags full of goodies were won by lucky knitters at the market. Each bag contained yarn, notions, a knitting book, and donations from the farmers market vendors ranging from soap to salsa.

Farmers markets and knitting go hand in hand for many fiber enthusiasts. What a great place to purchase yarn direct from the person who raises the animal. Local dyers can also have an outlet for their yarns at farmers markets, showing the beauty of color in dazzling array on lush fiber.

Local knit shops benefit as well whenever a gathering of knitters happens at a public event. Word is spread of classes, techniques, retreats, trunk sales, and special events. People who have wanted to learn the craft have a chance to talk to knitters in a casual setting, fondle fiber and simply enjoy the atmosphere of men and women who love the creative process of taking yarn – twisting and knotting it into something unique.

We’re used to seeing people gather at sporting and music events. A knitting event is no different. When knitters get together they encourage one another. They’ll cluster to marvel at the intricate stitches of a Russian lace shawl, the softness and warmth of a sweater with cables, crow over a wildly patterned hat in alpaca, and sigh over the simple joy of a great fitting hand knit sock.

WWKIP is the brainchild of knitter Danielle Landes and began in 2005. Since the first year’s 25 or so events, the global day set aside to celebrate knitting spread to over 800 locally organized events held in 2008, from Sydney, Australia to Copenhagen, Denmark, from Uppsala, Sweden to Dalat, Vietnam, and here in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Below is a list of Oklahoma businesses that helped make the 2009 Tulsa WWKIP day a positive event in the knitting community. I’d also like to thank Random House and New World Library for their kind book donations.

Thank you one and all!
3Peas in a Pod
Ferrell Bread
Hilltop Honey
Great Harvest Bread
Clear Creek Lavender
Country Garden Farm
My Dad’s Salsa
Fat City Clay
Bohemia Catering
Spice Market
Cherry Street Farmers Market
Tempted Yarns
Loops Knitting Shop
Stitches of Tulsa
SWAK Knit Shops in Guthrie and OKC

And now for a few photos of the morning....knitters in action!

Tulsa, OK WWKIP

Tulsa’s 2009 World Wide Knit in Public Day