Knitting Communities Together
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of yarn should I use?
100% Acrylic yarn is best for this project because it can withstand the outdoor elements. Feel free to use yarn from your stash. We recommend using larger needles/hooks to make it go faster. Here are some easy to find yarn ideas if you prefer to purchase yarn (all are super bulky weight- ‘6’):
• Hometown – by Lionbrand Yarn
• Bernat Softee Chunky
• Yarnspirations by Caron Chunky Cakes
• Charisma Yarn
What colors should I use?
A bright and colorful palette will be the most uplifting and is what was requested by the Park District of Highland Park. Please do not include any words or messaging and avoid Independence Day color schemes.
What should my pieces look like?
Knitted and Crocheted Pieces in all sizes are welcome. ‘Strips’ (or rectangular shapes long enough to wrap around a tree) will be most useful. We envision wrapping and ‘stitching’ pieces together to create art on the trees. Large Granny Squares are also welcome. Leaving your ends ‘hanging’ will help us with assembly – you don’t have to weave them in!
Where and when should I drop off my finished pieces?
Finished pieces can be dropped at any time, but no later than June 26th, 2023, during business hours at two of our sponsoring organizations, The Art Center of Highland Park and the Park District Highland Park’s West Ridge Center.
About the Project
Knitting Communities Together is an all-ages, multi-town art project aimed at bringing joy, comfort, and camaraderie to the residents of Highland Park and its neighboring communities. Through the therapeutic and community-building process of knitting, we are calling on residents of Highland Park and the surrounding communities to come together to knit or crochet colorful yarn creations over the course of six weeks, culminating in a colorful and collaborative art installation.
Community members can begin knitting now! Knitters are welcome to knit at home or create/discover groups to join. Drop-in knitting and crochet opportunities include:
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- Park District of Highland Park at West Ridge Center Room 1 on Monday evenings from May 8 – June 19 (excluding Memorial Day) from 6-8 p.m. A non-instructional opportunity for knitters to gather (novice knitters are welcome – knitters love to help others learn!). Two bins will be available – one with donated yarn for all knitters to utilize (or donate to) and another for completed strips of knitted yarn.
- The Art Center Highland Park (TAC) will host a free, learn-to-finger-knit class (date/time to be announced). No knitting experience required! TAC will also have bins for donated yarn and finished knitting.
- Other opportunities may arise for knitters to gather – these opportunities will be shared on the Knitting Communities Together 2023 Facebook page. Knitters can share progress, request, or offer yarn to other knitters and learn or post about knitting gatherings. Join today!
“Coloring Day”, meaning the art installation, will take place on June 29th at 3:30 pm when we will come together in Sunset Woods Park in central Highland Park to wrap trees with our colorful yarn creations. This is an all-inclusive event — all of HP and its surrounding communities are invited to participate in this joyful process!
For more information, contact Art Impact Project Art Advocate Gretchen Seymour: gretchenseymour@me.com.
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