While I may shop at the MOA (it's right by my children's school), I never thought about going to knit there (mostly as there is no yarn shop) - however, this might be changing as . . . (According to the Knit Out press release I received)
"The biggest, FREE knit and crochet extravaganza is traveling to the biggest and most exciting retail venue in the U.S., Mall of America!
The date: President's Weekend, February 17 and 18, 2007.
After sponsoring Knit-Out & Crochet events since 1998 on the East and West Coasts, the Craft Yarn Council of America (CYCA) is taking its FREE consumer event to the Midwest for the first time and to one of the most exciting retail venues in the world. Here's what's in store at Mall of America:
FREE beginner one-on-one knitting and crochet lessons in a relaxed, informal setting -- Take home instructions, yarn, needles or a hook.
LIVE Fashion Shows - See knitted and crocheted fashions you'd love to wear and CAN make
Woof Wear -- "Doggone" cute sweaters to knit and crochet for your favorite pooch.
TECHNIQUE Workshops - Tips, techniques and project ideas for the advanced, as well as the beginner.
YARN "Doctors" - Questions about a current project? Get answers from the experts.
AUTHOR! Author! - Meet today's best-selling knit and crochet authors, plus chat with the leading editors and catch the hot, new trends.
KIDS Crafts - Hands-on fun yarn projects for the younger set.
DISPLAYS - See the newest yarns, patterns, accessories, and the coolest new tools
PLUS, meet: Vickie Howell, author and host of DIY Network's Knitty Gritty.
NOW, I tried to get the aproximate times and exact dates for these events from the CYCA website but I just got spun off into a vortex of EXCITING, ALL CAPS press releases. I am sure that, a little closer to the event, the MOA will have some information on their site.
AS for Ms. Howell, I am sure she will be a big draw. Drink lots of coffee before you go to meet her so that you, too, will be PERKY. Some people love lover her, some don't. I think I am in the middle. I used to TiVo "Knitty Gritty" but, now, I think I am beyond most of her project. I really love seeing famous knitters on the show, however. My favorite was all about felting with Beverly Galeskas. I took a felting class from her at Stitches Midwest two years ago and learned a lot.
Just a reminder - "Vickie’s on a personal quest to assist in breaking the negative social stigma that knitting and crafting have attached to them by bringing more recognition to the hip, creative and edgy sides of these forms of expression." I'm not sure what that means but I think it means she's not knittin' mittens.
As for me, I am behind the knitting ball, working on a cream colored hat made out of my old handspun and knit with turquoise/yellow/pink accents to go with my daughter's now-blue felted Mad River mittens. The birthday countdown has begun . . .
3 comments:
I stay away from the MOA because I'm not one for the crowds. This sounds like it may be more crowds.
Thanks for mentioning the MOA event! I'm looking forward to meeting more knitters. :-)
Also, just wanted to clarify the mission statement you mentioned. It doesn't at all mean that I don't knit mittens, socks or anything else that may seem old-school. I do. A lot. I just want people to knit, regardless of the project. Sometimes, quirky projects draw the attention of new knitter's who may not have considered knitting as a true act of creativity.
The main negative sterotype that I've come across over the years is the preconceived notion of who knitters are: grandmother's only. As a mother of two boys it's become increasingly important to me to get the word out that men, women and children of all walks of life can and are picking up their needles. That knitting is just another form of expressing one's self in a positive way, and that should always be encouraged. Make sense?
Anyway, thanks for tuning in to the show. I really appreciate the support!
Best,
Vickie
Well, I really appreciate that clarification. I do think a lot of "new style" knitting ignore some of the basic necessities of why people knit. But, on the other hand, I myself love the not so necessary parts of knitting - the felted bags, the shadow knitted potholders and the pirate hats - that make this so fun. I had an offer to go watch some sheep be sheared next weekend but I am sure the Knit out will much warmer! Also, I think Vickie Howell will be at Crafty Planet on Friday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. as well - check it out!
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