KNITTING

Announces

1st NATIONAL KNITTING WEEK 10-16 October 2005

with Help the Aged

Click here for the National Knitting Week Website

The world’s first ever National Knitting Week, is taking place 10-16 October 2005, in support of the charity Help the Aged.  A creative, stress-busting knitting craze is sweeping the nation, attracting some 2 million fans including celebrities such as Kate Moss and Geri Halliwell.  Now the knitting industry joins forces with GMC Publications for the UK’s biggest celebration of knitting, previewing and combining with Europe’s leading annual knitting event – the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace.

Plans include mass ‘knit-ins’ – ‘flashmob’ knitting, with venues ranging from the Houses of Parliament to major stations; cross-generation knitting – kids join older knitters in some 380 Help the Aged stores; speed knit-offs – a world record challenge; an Extreme Knitting challenge (this knitting group has previously knitted while sky-diving); the sexiest underwear knit challenge; the UK-wide knitting of winter clothing for Help the Aged, plus trendy patterns supplied by Knitting to accessorise/modernise charity clothes.   Challenge winners will be asked to exhibit and/or demonstrate at the Knitting and Stitching Show (opening 13 October).  All details will be supplied in forthcoming editions of Knitting.  National Knitting Week has the support of the knitting industry, including yarn companies Sirdarand Rowan.

As proof of the surging interest in knitting “the new yoga”, Knitting magazine has just gone monthly on its anniversary, . Its launch alone generated over 1700 subscriptions – within a year this figure shot up by 300%, and latest distribution stands at 33,000 rising to 40,000 by June.To match the needs of many new design-conscious fans, Knitting provides a vibrant mix of contemporary and traditional patterns to suit all ages and shapes, all the latest news and events, advice on locating, choosing and using the latest yarns, technical advice and beautiful designs from some of the biggest names in knitting.  These have included Kaffe Fassett, “the UK’s king of home decoration” and the first living textile artist to have a one-man show at the V&A; Sasha Kagan, foremost knitwear designer who has also had her own V&A exhibition; author/knitwear designer Erika Knight, and entrepreneur Debbie Bliss, author of Junior Knits and regular designer for Vogue Knitting magazine, who has her own brand of yarns.

Knitting welcomes new editor Kate Taylor who has overseen the relaunch and is looking forward to ensuring Knitting leads at the cutting edge of this growing industry. She will be using her vast journalistic experience from magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Company, Homes & Gardens and others, and her book The Colour Style File written for Benetton.

Kate Taylor comments:

“The success of Knitting reflects the increasing interest in the craft, from the catwalk to the high street, so we are delighted to celebrate with the knitting industry in a week of fun.  Through dozens of exciting and social events we will encourage knitters right across the UK to come together to raise money for Help the Aged.  Whether they’re experienced knitters or have never held a needle before, Knitting will guide readers through the week with events sure to appeal to everyone. Join in!”

“Knitting has undergone a makeover with a clearer, cleaner design throughout for maximum readability and style. We are offering fashions that readers can create themselves, and giving designers the chance to showcase patterns and ideas with a quirky or experimental slant, including the best of student work encountered at degree shows.”

Further information on Knitting magazine: