Yarn Forward

Yarn Forward News...

2009-12-14T01:17:00.000-08:00

As the year draws to a close, so too does the Yarn Forward project. Well, that is, we think it does. The beautiful covering consisting of knitted contributions from all over the world has astoundingly stretched its way around over three quarters of the first floor banister rail at Manchester Craft and Design Centre.

And the individual pieces of your handiwork have raised so much interest, wonderment, marvel and positive feedback that the Kelda and Kate and all the residents from the Craft and Design Centre want to see it completed. Everybody there loves it!

So, we’ll let you know what happens. Yarn Forward into 2010? Lets see…

ArtYarn have been so inspired to work on this project; in constant awe of the overwhelming amount of creative contributions we have received. Humbled by every piece, it’s amazing how a simple guide of a 40x7cm strip, can be interpreted with such imagination, skill and love.

We hope we have been adept enough in crediting everybody who has taken part in this project and provided you with pictures that have well represented your work.

It is with abundant gratitude that we thank every contributor for their superb submissions.

And having installed a further sixty strips this week we have a few more people to mention…

Pamela Vose from Manchester
2 strips by Kelda Savage from Manchester Craft and Centre
Lisa Freeman from Atlanta, USA
Danette Devlin from Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
Joanna Lewis from London
3 colourful strips by Elaine Frankonis from Massachusetts, USA
Hilary Keefe from Longton, St Lukes
Sue Stone from Sheffield
Mavis Plant from Penshaw, Tyne and Wear
Victoria Sheppard from Althrincham
Steph Phillips from Creative Crochet & Fibre Art (hookandscumble.blogspot.com)
Jenni Hird from Wigan
4 strips Kate Day from Manchester Craft and Design Centre after her mum taught her to knit again.
Sophie Cunningham from Levenshulme
Jean from Bury
Rosemary Marshall from Bury
Delia Barrington from Bury
2 strips by Penny Savage from Sutton-In-The-Elms, Leicestershire
2 strips by Jenny Rowley from Broughton Astley, Leicestershire
3 strips by Mrs B M Drabble from Prestwich, Manchester
Birgit Erwardt from Garbsen, Germany (www.rosenduft-und-maschenzauber.blogspot.com)
2 strips by Suzanne Barr from Hadleigh, Essex
2 strips by Helen O’Donnel from Cheadle Hulme
Alison O’Donnell from Cheadle Hulme
Jackie Griffiths from Chester
Sylvia Bulley from Newport South Wales
4 strips by Sue from Sutton-on-Sea
3 strips by Lynn from Sutton-on-Sea
Felicity Criddle from Hove
Amy Hultum from Chester
Jill Pendlebury
2 strips Tricia Stokes
2 strips by Ann Pilling
Sue Highland
Sue Holden (sorry ladies, we don't know where you're from)
Roger Newton from Withington, Manchester
Bev Speight from Manchester
Rita Mori from Hulme, Manchester
Delia from Didsbury, Manchester

Chunky knitting by Jenni Hird from Wigan.

Crocheted flowers by Birgit Erwardt from Garbsen, Germany.

Knitted ghosts by Pamela Vose from Manchester.

Alien invaders by Sophie Cunningham from Levenshulme

Magic Mushrooms by Delia from Didsbury, Manchester.

Yet Further Yarn Forward

2009-10-27T03:05:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much for all your wonderful wooly work!

Giving us the pleasure of installing more strips to the bannister at The Manchester Craft & Design Centre.

The latest participants, new folks and our ever faithful friends who continue to contribute, are:

Pamela Vose from Manchester (and the Kings Arms Knitting Club)
Vicky Ingham from Loughborough
Adèle Waples from Braintree in Essex
Richmal Wigglesforth from Manchester (and the Kings Arms Knitting Club)
Pauline Hession from Liverpool
Christine Kriebel from Dortmund in Germany
Sandra Wielaert from Den Haag (The Hauge) in the Netherlands
Anne Karategih from Düsseldorf in Germany (www.myspace.com/haekelschutzbund)
Kelda Savage from Manchester (and the Craft and Design Centre)
Kay Savage from Loughborough
Marjorie Darnborough from West Lancashire

Curly Crochet by Adèle Waples

Representing the Northsea by Sandra Wielaert

(blue strip; fourth from left) "waves going both sides...yarn used is old Tvinngarn from Norway, 100% wool."

And we've received even more examples of your creativity...so watch this space...we'll make another installation in the next few weeks when you'll see your strips up there...

Half Way There!

2009-09-02T09:03:00.001-07:00

With a further twenty seven strips added to the banister at the Manchester Craft and Design Center yesterday, we're half way around the first floor!

And with another four months left to run on the project we'd like to ask for your help in covering the whole of the hand rail and really crowing the glory of your marvelous work.

For full details of how you can be part of this colourful and conversation stopping project click on the 'Take part here' link to the right.

And we give our most gracious appreciation and gratitude to all those new and continuing contributors who are making this exciting work possible. You're amazing and this really is your project.

Strips were installed yesterday by:

Lisa Victoria from Glenwood, Iowa, USA
Anita Crabb from Cannock, Staffordshire
Valeria Thompson from Bristol (www.rubysbuttontin.typepad.co.uk)
Kimberley Harwood from London
Martin Bowcock from Northern Quarter, Manchester
Marie Pattison, from Manchester and the Kings Arms Knitting Club
Joanne Columbine from Ramsbottom, Lancashire
Marion Reed from Newport, South Wales

And a very special thanks to OKADASCAT from Hartlepool who sent another seven strips to the stupendous amount she has already contributed...you rock kidder!

Crocheted flowers and a ladybird by Marie Pattison.

An amazing orange bow by Marion Reed - which I particularly liked as it matched the orange laces in my trainers!

Try summat new!

2009-06-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

Here are some lovely stitches you may wish to try out to make your yarn strip for the Yarn Forward project. Just make sure your strip measures 7cm wide by 40cm long.

Knitting..

Close Checks - www.knittingonthenet.com/stitches/closechecks.htm
Squares in Squares stitch - www.knittingonthenet.com/stitches/squaresinsquares.htm
2 colour diamonds stitch - www.free-knit-stitch.com/knit-stitch41-60/52.htm
Icicle stitch - www.free-knit-stitch.com/knit-stitch21-40/39.icicle.HTM
Eye of the Partridge - www.knittingfool.com

Crochet...

Crochet cable stitch - www.lionbrand.com
Rasberry stitch - freevintagecrochet.com/how-to-crochet/raspberry-stitch
Open work and lace -www.mypicot.com/crochet_patterns_openwork_lace01.html

Yarn Forwarding >>>>

2009-06-20T11:14:00.000-07:00

Artyarn returned to the Manchester Craft and Design Centre today to install another batch of knitted and crocheted yarn strips. As always there was plenty of interest in all of your strips from the visiting public.

Many thanks to the following recent participants..

Roger Newton, Withington MCR UK
Jacky - Liverpool UK
Susan Ward - Warrington UK
Alexandra Weinig, Frankfurt Germany
Lucy Meakin - Stockport UK

(click on images for larger pics)

More 'Yarn Forward' and Now More Time!

2009-05-17T01:25:00.001-07:00

The Yarn Forward project has created such a buzz around Manchester and beyond that the lovely Kate and Kelda from the Craft and Design Centre want to extend the deadline for the project and keep it all year!

The deadline for receiving strips to add to the hand rail is now DECEMBER 2009. So as well as there being bags of time to send in a strip and participate with knitters and crocheters from all around the world, your handiwork will be displayed all year for all to see.

So, to celebrate we installed some more of your wonderful yarn strips yesterday...all to the angelic sounds of a harp!

Many thanks to the following contributors:

Sea anemones and coral life from Inga Hamilton aka rockpool candy, Northern Ireland.

www.rockpoolcandy.typepad.com

A colourful collection from the 'Knitty Gritty' monthly knitting circle, Touchstones Rochdale.

Another sparkly strip from Julie Lawrence of Monton, Salford.

Kate Fairhurst from Polis, Cyprus.

Julian Jefferson from Touchstones Art Gallery, Rochdale.

And another sea inspired strip, this time from Richmal Wigglesworth from Manchester.

Ripped Up and ReSewn

(rippedupandresewn.blogspot.com)

Joan Boardman from Rochdale.

And this weekend opened a new exhibition at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre.

Eve Bennet - 'Head Full of Magic' 16th May to 1st August 2009

A feature of the 'NOT PART OF FESTIVAL' - The Manchester International Fringe Festival.

new deadline

2009-05-12T13:44:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that the deadline has now been extended until December 09, so there is plenty of time to send us your yarn strips for the Yarn Forward project.

Corner's covered!!

2009-05-04T05:15:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend we have been back in action at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre to finally cover that corner piece of the bannister and to add a few more strips that have been sent in by some vey skillful people indeed. can you spot your strip??

This is my favourite crochet hook! It's held together with cellotape and a bit of glue and I refuse to part with it. I think its due it's third makeover.

I'm now deciding what to crochet to add a decorative feature to this corner pice, any suggestions???

We have lots more bannister to cover, so if you have already contributed and want to make another piece you are very welcome to do so.
If you would like to contribute to the project but haven't found time yet, there is still plenty of time to send in your yarn strip. Make sure it reaches us before the year is out, include your name and loction and send it to us at:

Manchester
Craft and
Design Centre

17 Oak Street
Northern Quarter
Manchester
M4 5JD
UK

Forward, Forth

2009-04-30T15:16:00.000-07:00

Another week and we are forthwith further forward with the Yarn Forward project. And we've received in some terrific strips today...

Jill Wood from Audenshaw has blown us away with this strip, upon which is a slumbering bear! Absolutely amazing Jill! The strip is entitled 'Bear-in-a-blankie'! Jill also contributed another piece, crocheted in circles called 'Small Whorls'. And Audenshaw is the home town of the Elwell half of ArtYarn, so, to the heart...a big shout out to the Audenshaw Massive!!!

Two lovely pieces of knitting from the lovely Miss Wigglesworth of Ripped Up & ReSewn, who, to our pleasure, joined us at The Kings Arms Knitting Club on Monday night. We hope you had fun and to see you there again soon Richmal.

And two little gems of crochet from Victoria Hillon of Chorlton in Manchester. Fantastic flowers Victoria, we're much obliged for your participation in our project.

So we've added all the strips together and installed 22 more to the banister today.

Thanking all the recent contributors ever so kindly:

Julie Lawrence, Salford UK
Kandy Diamond, Chesterfield, Derbyshire UK (www.knitanddestroy.co.uk)
All Kandy's first year students from the Textile Design & Design Management [BSc] at The University of Manchester
Amanda Doran, Leicester UK (www.brassicapatch.blogspot.com)
Susan Diskin, Arc Studios, Stockport, Greater Manchester UK
Carol Light, Arc Studios, Stockport, Greater Manchester UK
Suzanne White, Arc Studios, Stockport, Greater Manchester UK
Ros Purkis, Arc Studios, Stockport, Greater Manchester UK
Brigitte Surberg, Lübbecke, Deutschland DE (www.myspace.com/mollithewoodtagger)
Sarah Russell, Dorking, Surrey UK
Claudia Neugebauer, Wels, Austria A (www.neugebauer.at/akw & www.hipstrick-claudianeugebauer.blogspot.com)
Victoria Hillon, Chorlton, Manchester UK
Jill Wood, Audenshaw, Tameside, Greater Manchester UK
Richmal Wigglesworth, Manchester & Bradford...if we've remembered correctly! (www.rippedupresewn.blogpot.com)

Brigitte...we've taken some pictures of your strips in situ, as requested, so if you drop us an email at: artyarn at hotmail dot com; we'll send them through to you.

There's another six strips that we didn't get time to install today, so if you don't just see you handiwork here, we're very sorry. We'll be installing them on Saturday so more pictures will follow.

And Rachael is going to crochet a corner bit so watch this space for more Yarn Forward!

Incoming...

2009-04-27T09:13:00.000-07:00

Big shout out to Kandy Diamond of Knit and Destroy who dropped by the Craft Centre last Thursday with this cool checkered strip. Absolute pleasure to make your acquaintance Kandy and hope to see you again soon somewhere around Manchester.

Kandy also brought in a batch of strips that have been machine knitted by first year students of the Textile Design and Design Management [BSc] at The University of Manchester. Massive thanks to you all for these ace bits of knitting.

This strip has been knitted by Sarah Russell, from Didsbury, who's now living in Dorking. Sarah explains that the black and yellow represent the emblem of Manchester; which is the worker bee, and the blue and red for City and United football teams. You've made a Manc Masterpiece Sarah!

These pieces of colourful crochet have been sent in by Jacqui Wood and have been made by members of the studios at Arts for Recovery in the Community (ARC), in Stockport.

And some crazy crochet from Claudia Neugebauer, aka "extremhäklerin" (extreme crocheter), from Wels in Austria. Claudia also participated in ArtYarn's Yarn Bombing UK:DIY project, so thanks for supporting us once again!

These beautiful bobbles have been knitted up by Amanda Doran from Leicester who tells it's a; "Sample made from charity shop finds of unidentified yarn. Knitting is an immediate form of creating using affordable materials."

'GRAPEFUL'

as in 'Hail Mary, full of grape, the bawd is with thee...'

And these lovely pieces from Brigitte Surberg, aka 'Molli the Wood Tagger', from Lübbecke in Germany.

'Frei Geist / Free Spirit'

We'll be installing all these sensational strips on Thursday so keep posted for more in situ images...

Gathering Momentum

2009-04-23T15:14:00.001-07:00

Excitement is reaching giddy heights as we install a further twenty six strips to the Yarn Forward project today and swiftly begin to cover the next section of the first floor hand rail at Manchester Craft and Design Centre.

Members of the Craft Centre are reporting a huge interest in the piece, telling us that many people are stopping by the strips, turning and reading the tags and delighting in the knitted pieces you are all making. The Yarn Forward project has become a real buzz in Manchester and beyond...and it's down to your contributions.

And we are so thrilled by the support of everybody out there who has sent us a piece of their handiwork. Thank you, abundantly, for your interest, enthusiasm, time and creativity.

Today we've installed pieces by, and offer thanks to:

Pat Donohue, Manchester UK
Catherine Leese, Sale, Cheshire UK ("Buttons & Bows")
Diane Hudson, Downham Market, Norfolk UK (a Manchester 'ex-pat')
Lesley Huckle, Withington, Manchester UK
Andrea Dewhurst, Manchester UK
Mrs Doris Scott, Rochdale, Greater Manchester UK
Okadascat aka Chris Walker, Hartlepool UK (www.okadascat.blogspot.com)
Cheryl Beswick, Rochdale, Greater Manchester UK
Jenny Beswick, Rochdale, Greater Manchester UK
Rachel Kelly, Salford, Greater Manchester UK
Sophie Stewart, Manchester UK
Gwen Taylor, Rochdale, Greater Manchester UK
Sharon Jue, Oakland, California USA
Catherine Walker, Wellington, New Zealand

And for Catherine Walker, as you asked to see your strip and we aim to please, here is an image of your terrific orange moss stitch strip. Do email us if you would like the image sending through.

A huge 'ta' must also go to Craft Centre resident Dave Goodwin of DJG Art for supplying the brews all day and a couple of chocolate digestives!

That is not all...to our joy there is yet another intake of incredible knitted and crocheted strips waiting to be installed, so we'll get some more images up over the weekend and add the strips to the others next week.

Seven Super Strips

2009-04-21T00:54:00.001-07:00

On our visit to the Manchester Craft and Design Centre yesterday we were quite literally overwhelmed with surprise at the amount of strips waiting for us there. Twenty six in total!

Thank you so very much to everybody who has taken such enthusiasm and contributed a part to this collective and collaborative project.

We will be installing all the strips on Thursday so in situ images and a list of all the lovely new project participants will follow.

Oooh, and a quick note for Catherine Walker from New Zealand; we have your strip and will certainly put up an image of it installed for you, as requested my dear.

In the meantime here are seven super strips from the shed load we received yesterday...

'One For The Boys'

Nico Dawson of the Manchester Craft Mafia and Ophelia Button

www.opheliabutton.co.uk

Andrea Dewhurst from Manchester

Sharon Jue from Oakland, California, USA

Knitted with Sharon's own hand spun yarn.

Diane Hudson from Downham Market, Norfolk

Pat Donohue from Manchester

Chris Walker aka okadascat from Hartlepool

www.okadascat.blogspot.com

Rachel Kelly from Salford

Yarn bombs and workshop

2009-04-10T09:31:00.000-07:00

To accompany our project 'Yarn Forward' at the Manchester Craft and Design Center, we managed to place a few sneaky little yarn bombs in and around the building for people to discover..

And on the opening day of the UK DIY Craft Mafia's exhibition, ArtYarn led a free crochet workshop inviting memebers of the public to come and learn, share their skills and have a nice afternoon of yarny business..

Getting stuck in to some serious crochet

Valpuri's beautiful knit work , a strip for the bannister

The end of a very busy afternoon.

About to turn a corner...

2009-04-09T01:02:00.001-07:00

After an installation of more strips on Tuesday...we've reached the end of the first section of handrail at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre...and we're about to turn the corner!

Petra, your pretty pink strip has been added in there. And many thanks to Jane Cummins and Marie Pattison who each made a new strip at The Kings Arms Knitting Club on Monday. Marie making her very first piece of anything crocheted! And Jane knitting up a beautiful blue fluffy strip!

Once again, out wholehearted thanks to everybody who has taken part in this project so far and to all the supportive bods at the Craft Centre.

Further Forward...

2009-04-04T14:17:00.000-07:00

More knitted strips have been arriving at Manchester Craft and Design Centre and the first section of the hand rail is almost covered!

Abundant gratitude to the latest contributors of the Yarn Forward project, who are:

Patricia Brown of Tricoteuse, Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK
Tracey Gaughan, Glasgow, Scotland, UK (www.craftytrekky.blogspot.com)
Jane Cummins of The Kings Arms Knitting Club, Sale, Cheshire, UK
Petra Hoschtitzky Arts & Crafts, Manchester UK

Petra, we'll be installing your beautiful pink strip on Tuesday and a photograph will follow for you.

And warmest thanks to Kelda Savage, Kate Day and everybody at The Manchester Craft and Design Centre for all your help and support.

Ooooohhhh...and if you're in the area and drop by to check out the Yarn Forward project, we recommend you try the Suki Tea on offer in Cafe Aromat...'Apple Loves Mint' is a favourite so far!

Knitting resource..

2009-03-28T11:42:00.000-07:00

If you're on the look out for some new knitting or crochet stitches to knit your yarn strips up for the Yarn Forward project look no further . Here is a great link for you to find a whole new directory of beautiful stitches. ...

http://www.pattern-knit.com/

The lovely people at pattern-knit have kindly advertised the yarn Forward project on their home page for us, so we say a big thank you for all your support!!

Installation 1

2009-03-20T17:16:00.000-07:00

Over the past few days ArtYarn have been busy at the Manchester Craft and Design centre with all of the received strips of knitting and crochet.

Stage one of the installation has taken place, attaching the yarn strips to the first floor bannister. It is already looking vibrant and eye catching , which ever angle you view the installation from, and has already been of great interest to the visiting public.

We are still collecting yarn strips, so there is plenty of time to send in your knitted or crocheted strip to the Manchester Craft and Design center. Also, if you would like to many more than one, please feel free!!!

For those of you who have already contributed a massive thanks to you all:-

Marie Pattison, Manchester UK
Dawn Elwell, Audenshaw, Manchester UK
Margaret Dayman, Angus, Scotland
Abbaballistic, Haringley, London UK
Helen Best-Shaw, London UK (www.busknitter.blogspot.com)
Samantha Thorley, Sale Moor, Manchester UK
Cathy Henry, Ontario Canada
okadascat, Hartlepool UK (www.okadascat.blogspot.com)

Pictures from today..
Installation 1

First Lot up and looking amazing...

Keep posted for pictures from the Yarn Forward workshop taking place Saturday 21st March from 2pm @ The Manchester Craft and Design Centre.

Wir mögen stricken!

2009-03-17T09:19:00.000-07:00

Mehr kommen, aber, Schande! Schlechte Handarbeit!

new strips!

2009-03-14T09:45:00.000-07:00

Back in Manchester strips are being made thick and fast by ArtYarn and many other participants. Thank you to Charlotte Topliss from Withington, Greater Manchester and Mrs.Thompson from Levenshlume, Greater Manchester.

You can read more about many other yarn projects up and down the UK to get involved in by visiting the website ukhandknitting.com who have kindly promoted this project.

Setting the Scene

2009-03-11T07:55:00.000-07:00

Well, now the yarn strips are starting to come in, lets have a look at where they are going to go.

Here is the first floor balcony at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, where your knitted and crocheted strips will decorate the handrail.

Making for a sublimly colourful and tactile wrapping, we hope the strips will snake their way all around the thoroughfare.

So, get sending in your strips to take thier place in this communal creation at the Craft Centre, or come along on the 21st of March, between 2-4pm, to whip up your strip live and direct!

Bits from Berlin

2009-03-11T07:49:00.001-07:00

Here's 23 strips, coming straight out of Kreuzberg 36. And winging thier way to Manchester via Luftpost, courtesy der Deutsche Post...

1st strip recieved!!

2009-03-10T05:04:00.001-07:00

Last night at our weekly knitting club at the King's Arms in Salford, we had a very special guest!
That Roger! (aka Roger Newton) came along to show us some more of his incredible crochet work and to drop off a crocheted strip, made to perfect measure, for the Yarn Forward project.

I really hope that roger will become a regular member of our knitting club!

UK Craft Mafias exhibition

2009-03-05T06:46:00.000-08:00

ArtYarn invite you to knit or crochet decorative strips of yarn for the instillation ‘Yarn Forward’ at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre.

To accompany the UK Craft Mafia’s exhibition, ArtYarn will be installing a yarn wrapping round the 1st Floor banister of the Manchester Craft and Design Centre to celebrate the many versatilities and techniques of knitting and crochet from around the world.

How to take part:

Knit or crochet your knitted strip to measure 7cm wide x 40 cm long. Any colour, yarn and technique is accepted, the brighter and wackier, the better.

Write us a small note stating your name and location. Each knitted strip will house a small label stating the maker’s details.

Send in your yarn strips to the following address (or drop them off in person to the craft centre office on the 1st floor) :

Manchester Craft and Design Centre
17 Oak Street,
Northern Quarter 
Manchester,
M4 5JD
England UK

Deadline to receive yarn strips: December 2009

The Yarn Forward project has created such a buzz around Manchester that the lovely Kate and Kelda at the Craft and Design Centre want to extend the deadline of the project to December 2009.

This means that there is now even more time for you to be part of this project and that the installation will be displayed throughout the year!

Happy Knitting & Crocheting.
ArtYarn

For further info please visit:
http://artyarn-yarnforward.blogspot.com/
http://www.craftanddesign.com/exhibitions/craft_mafia_uk
http://www.ukdiycraft.blogspot.com/

In the heart of the city's creative Northern Quarter, and situated in the former Victorian Fish and Poultry Market, Manchester Craft and Design Centre is home to 18 studio boutiques, where talented artists and designer-makers produce and sell their work to the public 6 days a week (7 in December).

Work ranges from jewellery, accessories and clothing to furniture, lighting, textiles, ceramics, photography and painting. To complement the resident studios, the centre also runs an exciting exhibition programme, showcasing work by both emerging and established international makers.

In-house Cafe Aromat serves delicious homemade food to eat-in or take away.