DETROIT, June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- City Knits is pleased to host Knit Fest 2005, as part of the Comerica TasteFest, July 2 and July 3, from noon to 4:30 p.m. in New Center Park, at the corner of Second Avenue and West Grand Boulevard, across from the Historic Fisher Building. http://www.cityknits.com/ .
The Knit Fest will provide all comers the chance to learn to knit or crochet. Knitters, and crocheters of all levels are invited to join us to "knit in public" [aka "Kipping"], to raise money for breast cancer research and Stitch an Inch on our "Community Cast-On" performance art knitting project.
This year's Knit Fest will feature a "Stitch to WIN Against Breast Cancer" fund-raiser at the 2005 Comerica TasteFest from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, and Sunday, July 3 you can come learn how to stitch or stitch with friends, and support the fight against breast cancer by sharing in the joys of knitting.
"You don't have to be experienced knitters to participate in this fund- raiser," explained Karen Kendrick-Hands, the owner of City Knits. "In fact, you don't even need to know how to knit."
For a suggested $10.00 donation, attendees will receive a beginner's kit and a chance to enter a national prize giveaway. Volunteers will be on hand to provide free lessons to anyone who wants to learn. 100% of the funds raised at this event will go to "WIN Against Breast Cancer" -- the organization responsible for the creation of the U.S. Postal Service's Breast Cancer Research Stamp, which has already raised over $35 million for breast cancer research.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who has been wanting to learn how to knit and just hasn't gotten around to it," added Karen Kendrick-Hands. Seasoned knitters will also have an opportunity to donate to breast cancer research and education by helping to create a community performance knitting piece.
The highlight of the Knit Fest 2005 will be a performance knitting piece conceived by Lisa Whiting, BFA, (CCS 2005) and assistant manager of City Knits. "Community Cast-on: A Knitting Circle" will engage eight knitters and 16 hands simultaneously knitting around a 16 foot circle to create a giant tubular soft sculpture. The piece will be cast-on at noon July 2, to kick-off the Knit Fest, using yarn donated by Cascade Yarns and Addi Turbo deluxe circular needles courtesy of Skacel Collection.
"I chose ecological wool in various natural shades to reflect the diversity of our community and region," noted Ms. Whiting. "The piece is not about the product itself, but the proximity of people, who may be strangers, working closely together as neighbors to create a community. The sculpture will be the evidence of the joint effort to create something beautiful and meaningful with the simple elements of sticks and string."
Ms. Whiting will supervise the first round of a community performance effort that will travel to area festivals throughout the summer, and be bound off in a four hour celebration of community, fiber and art at the Detroit Institute of Arts on a Friday in September, 2005. Knitters of all skill levels are welcome to jump in and knit a round (or portion thereof) and are invited to donate in any amount to the Stitch to WIN campaign.
This "Stitch to WIN Against Breast Cancer" fund-raiser at Knit Fest 2005 is part of a two-year Campaign being sponsored by The National NeedleArts Association (TNNA). http://www.tnna.org/ . The campaign hopes to introduce the joy of NeedleArts to thousands of people throughout the country, and at the same time plans to raise over $250,000 for "WIN Against Breast Cancer." http://www.winabc.org/ .
The Comerica TasteFest is a five-day outdoor food and entertainment festival in Detroit's New Center during the Fourth of July weekend. The hours for the 2005 Comerica TasteFest are Thursday, June 30th to Monday, July 3, 2005, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and closing at 8 p.m. on Monday, July 4. The event is a family affair which offers free national and local talent on four stages, over 40 Michigan restaurants selling "tastes" of their specialties, free stage shows, activities for children, and a marketplace of unique Detroit products and memorabilia. The Comerica TasteFest is free and open to the public.
For more information about Stitch to WIN or Knit Fest 2005 contact City Knits at 313-872-9665 or
