World Wide Knit in Public Day (WWKIP) is nearly upon us. This year on June 14, fiber lovers all around the world will descend on public places to spread the love of all things fiberly.
An event started in 2005 by SheepGeek, each year the event proves even more popular and exciting. Since its inception, the event has grown from 25 meetups to more than 200 throughout the world. This year there are already more than 250 registered KIPs (knit in public events), with plenty of time for more events to get organized.
Here on Ravelry, there are WWKIP plans popping up everywhere. A forum search for WWKIP yields 68 pages of posts. That can be pretty daunting to weed through. Then again, it might be pretty cool to read what’s going on all over Rav-Land.
Pick a KIP, any KIP
Looking to get in on the fun? There are a number of resources available at your fingertips. The WWKIP Day group on Ravelry is a good starting point. This is a place for organizers to post some general information about their event. Also the Meetup Locations thread includes finalized details about KIPs.
The official site for WWKIP features a searchable database to find a local event in your area. Make sure to check any of your SNBs or local meetup groups on Ravelry. Chances are someone has jumped at the chance to host this cool event.
Host an event, you can do it!
Don’t see an event in your area? Don’t fret. You can easily host an event yourself. The WWKIP site also has promotional information to help you spread the word, including fliers, buttons and a press kit. Want more ideas on how to promote your event? Check out what other Ravelers are doing.
Make it fun, after all, we’re Ravelers
Many organizers are planning fun activities for the actual day of the event. This can range from yarn swaps, LYS crawls, project show and tells, raffles and more. Lulubelle is planning a scavenger hunt for her Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada event. ErickaJo is holding a raffle to support the local soup kitchen/shelter in Manchester, New Hampshire. Check out special activities being planned in this thread for more ideas.
Yarn, needles … what else am I forgetting?
It can be pretty overwhelming meeting with other knitters and crocheters in public, so try not to forget some key essentials when packing up your public crafting bag.
– Camera. Take lots of pictures of your event and make sure to tag them “WWKIP 2008”in Flickr so others can see the fun. Check out some pictures from last year’s events here.
– Sunscreen and water. It’s going to be hot in many parts of the world, but even in cooler parts, sitting outside all day in direct sun can take its toll. Pack at least SPF 30 sunscreen and plenty of water. We don’t want any fiber related injuries due to dehydration.
– Cushy for the tushy. Depending on your KIP’s details, you may need to bring adequate seating arrangements. Grab a fold up chair or a floor cushion to keep you happily crafting for hours.
– Ravelry Buttons. At press time, Ravelry buttons are still not in, but Ravelry Store Chatter indicates that they are en route to the store for purchase soon. Organizers: If you can part with your many buttons, handing these out at your event can be a great way to help everyone meet and mingle.
– Something to craft. And for all things merino, don’t forget a project to work on. In many a crafter’s experience, mine included, bringing a fairly easy, mindless project is best. With all this meetup excitement and with all these crafters together, it may be hard to concentrate. But then what do I know, I worked on the Clessidra last year!
Share your memories, tell your story
After all of the projects and skeins have been packed up, the needles stowed away and fiberists shuffled home, it’s time to remember the fun we’ve had. In the WWKIP Day group, there’s a thread waiting for you to share your stories with Ravelers from this year. Did you finally meet a Raveler in real life you’ve been chatting with for more months? Was this your first KIP, and what made it special? What activities and fun events did your organizer put together? Share them here, after all that’s what this Ravelry community is all about.
Originally published May 19, 2008 in This Week In Ravelry (issue #16). Collage photo courtesy of SheepGeek. Sock photo courtesy of moonrat
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