Relay for Life - Stitched Up

There is a wonderful group of crafters who are doing relay for life on Saturday 27 March at Frank Kitts park in Wellington.

They asked if I could join the team and do a knit graffiti session to support them, but unfortunately I can’t make it.

If you are able to offer any assistance - knitting, fence weaving, cheerleading, event being a participant (!) PM me and I can give you the contact details. If not, donate! Every little bit counts. There is someone quite close to my family who is currently battling breast cancer so i’m super gutted I can’t go - but also can’t be in two places at once :(

The donation details are:
Donate here
And the team is:
Stitched Up
Event: Wellington

Loving Auckland

Parnell got some loving last night from a team of people gathered together by the wonderful Knitty Graffity. They were machines - putting up 105 hearts in an hour and a half!

I've finally perfected the art of the speedy heart, while keeping with my perfectionist tendencies which dictate that the yarn must all be wound the same way. (Smidgeon obsessive compulsive.) But I had nothing on the speed demons with the fluffy yarn. Best use (only use?) for novelty yarn ever.

We had a great time down there despite the threat (and sprinkling!) of rain. The live music from the bar across the road was awesome and so were the drunk people that wandered out to join in! haha

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

More pics on flickr and on Knitty Graffity's blog.

When do we stop?

First up - CNN! Been meaning to post this for ages, but here it is. Go stiX and the heart fence!

now the thoughtful bit-

Of late i've struggled with whether or not to continue with knit graffiti.

My concept of what knit graffiti is, and why I do it, is pretty strong. I want to challenge, inspire, and do the unexpected. Not only have I not felt that i've been achieving this of late, but the amount of 'knit graffiti' has jumped dramatically.

So I had a conversation with my mother (as you do) about why and how and if. We considered the definition of what I call 'knit graffiti' with 'knit tags'. There are the pieces that are put up because they look pretty, and those that are saying something. The knitted squares that go on trees because it is 'fun', and the carefully considered statement pieces put up to prove that craft can be art.

On the third hand, there are the 'installations' - crafted tags attached with the blessing of an authority, be it in public or in a gallery.

Personally I want to progress OutdoorKnit to keep saying stuff, but say it differently, to continue to find new and different ways to stand up for craft and feminism and thought-provoking public art. Having decided this, I was happy to continue, albeit quietly for the time being.

This week friend in Ireland sent me the link to the video below. I watched it, rolled my eyes and went back to those original thoughts. You can't get more mass media than Vodafone, really.

What's the point if it is mainstream and no longer seen as subversive? And then I thought of Banksy, and even the Wellington graffiti crew who continue to inspire despite the fact graffiti is seen more and more as 'mainstream'. They keep going, so, dammit, will I. But my work will be more considered and carefully crafted. And i'm going to keep saying stuff.

Who's with me?

Spreading the love

This fence was beautified by the students of Miramar South school after I met one of the teachers when we were mid-crafting on Vivian Street. I love that the idea was taken on and that they added their own touch, each student thinking about something they loved about school, their family, or themselves and then weaving each story into the heart. That fence holds a lot of love!

I've heard there are some hearts also at Thorndon School? I'd love it if someone could send me a photo sometime.

Anyway, here's the deal. I have something in the pipelines for Valentine's Day in conjunction with the uber talented and totally inspiring Knitty Graffitty. But then I thought about it and decided I should get more people in on it... so... I want hearts. Tonnes of 'em!

I ask you (very very nicely) to get hold of a little bit of yarn, wrap it on to a bobbin of sorts (we used an ice cream container cut up into 3cm x 3cm squares), carry it in your handbag or pocket, and go fence hunting.

I would absolutely love to post pictures of hearts woven on fences from around New Zealand... nay! The world!

Do you think you can do it? Get out with a group and make people smile!

Dedicate a heart to your loved one for Valentine's Day. I'm not sure I buy into it usually, but it seems a good enough day as any to express some love to your friends or family.

Pxt 'em through to me on 021 2678658 or email nikki@outdoorknit.com and I'll put them up here. Feel free to include a message if you want and I'll put it up with the photo.

errata

Dear Next magazine, 

There are knit taggers south of the Bombay hills. Next time, if you're going to use one of our photos, at least mention us.

Love, 

OutdoorKnit.

PS we did heaps more before the heart fence too, aye. 

Also got my grubby mitts on a copy of Yarnbombing. Freaking cool book. Once there is a little spare time on my hands, the convertible cardi is so going on the needles.

Unfortunately it's my fault we don't have any pics in the book (long story, we were asked!). But OutdoorKnit is mentioned, albeit as Australians. Sigh. Bummer. We is most deffo Kiwis.

Had a fabuloso time at The Annual Wellingtonista Awards. We were pipped at the post by Yayoi Kusama for Best Public Art Experience, and Martin Bosley's City Market for Wellingtonian of the year. It was still pretty special to be nominated, and stiX came! Super excited that's she's back in Welly for a week. I'm on a mission to convince her that the capital is the place to be. 

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. In the very New Year there shall be announcements galore around our Next Big Project. 

Love, 

Knitsch xx

hello, graffiti alley...

Slightly underwhelming photos. 

First strike of graffiti alley in a while though...seems every time i walk through now there is the smell of fresh paint. Love it.

Eeeeek - 2 days!

Late notice, I know! My apologies, I've had a distinct lack of internet over these last few weeks. Get knitting for climate change!

Knitters Unite for Climate Change - Monday, November 30, 2009 at 4:53pm

Calling all knitters, we need you - experienced or not!

It’s really simple, you just need to cast 10 centimeters of yarn onto your needles and start knitting. Then send in what you have knitted and we can join all the pieces together. The objective is to peacefully protest around Climate Change and Copenhagen; we will have messages hanging off the very long yarn trail from Auckland's Aotea Square all the way down to Britomart! That's 800 metres to be exact!

There are no aesthetic requirements for your contribution. We just ask that you get it to us by December 11, ready for December 12th's global day of action calling for world leaders at the Copenhagen climate conference to sign a fair, ambitious and binding climate treaty.

For more information, contact Oxfam NZ's climate change Campaign Coordinator Susi Newborn on (09) 355 6852, or susi.newborn@oxfam.org.nz.