In 2005, Danielle Landes began World Wide Knit in Public Day ("WWKIPD"). Since knitting is a solitary act, the idea was to bring knitters together and let them enjoy each other's company. This is promoted as a specific day to get out of your house and go to a local event (with your knitting bag and needles and yarn) just for knitters.
According to the World Wide Knit in Public Day site, the celebration began with 25 local events in 2005. By 2009, there were 751 events. Many countries have participated over the years, and they include: Australia, China, England, Finland, France, Ireland, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, and the United States. Until 2014 WWKIPDAY took place from the second Saturday to the third Sunday of June each year; making it a week long celebration of knitting and other fiber arts. It has been celebrated on one day since 2015.
Here on Long Island, the Floyd Memorial Library in Greenport has curated a summer exhibition called Textile Tales: The Entwined Stories of Fiber Art, which will run from June 9th until August 6th. To celebrate textiles through yarnstorming, the library has partnered with CAST, a non-profit organization based in Southold that has been serving low-income individuals and families on the North Fork of Long Island since 1965. CAST helps struggling community members meet their basic needs in the areas of nutrition, clothing, energy, employment, and education. Colorful knitted and crocheted pieces will decorate the exterior of the library and CAST's Southold headquarters.
The installation will be held on June 10, which is International Yarn Bombing Day and also World Wide Knit In Public Day. Yarn bombing is also known as yarnstorming. Some call it guerillaknitting or urbanknitting. It's a form of street art, but instead of paint or chalk, it's done with yarn or fiber. Here is detailed information from the curator, which appeared in the library's newsletter:
I am honored that I was asked to display one of my dolls at the exhibit and also to contribute a few granny squares to be used in the yarnstorming displays. I am also looking forward to speaking about the first ladies and their needlework on July 22 at 2:00 at Floyd Memorial Library. This event is open to adults and children.
To learn more about WWKIPD, please visit: http://www.wwkipday.com/about/.
To learn more about Floyd Memorial Library in Greenport and its Textile Tales exhibit, please visit: https://floydmemoriallibrary.org/.