Knit in Public at Assiniboine Park June 14

Crescentwood

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/06/2025 (448 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Sometimes the most interesting things are hidden in plain view. There is public opinion, public transit, public good. And then there is knitting in public. This weekend marks the 20th anniversary of World Knit in Public Day – the one day a year that introverts who knit can converse with other knitters. Or not. Every second Saturday in June, knitters of all ages will take their needles and gather in a designated public place in what has become the largest knitting event in the world.

Winnipeg organizer Crystal Salkeld is inviting all those who knit to join approximately 100 others to knit for joy on June 14 from 1-4 p.m. at the northwest corner of Assiniboine Park. There is no fee to participate in spirit with knitters from Saudi Arabia, Germany, Australia, Japan, Turkey, Brazil and across Canada, to name but a few of the countries participating.

Those who want to learn this ancient art form, which dates to the 4th century AD, are welcome to check out Crystal’s classes and unique wools at Purl and Hank, of which she is proprietor, at 2063 Portage Ave. (204-832-8554).

“Most people don’t know all the health benefits that come from knitting. It’s not just for grannies,” said Salkeld, a busy wife and mother of three sons.

Yes, men knit in public thanks to football players such as famous football player Jim Brown or movie star Ryan Reynolds. Tell the man in your life that Tom Hanks and David Arquette knit and before you know it men will be knitting on buses, in coffee shops and in line at the grocery store, joining the growing number of gender-inclusive knitters. I’m told that some folks knit as a form of anger management, others for stress reduction – some say it beats speed-dating.

Kids can knit either with needles or by hand-knitting. For many, a knitting hobby that began in childhood became a lifelong activity. The world’s oldest knitter, Australian Alfie Date, began knitting in 1932 and continued making tiny sweaters to aid penguins in distress from oil spills until his dying day at age 109.

Chase the Chill Yarn Bombing was launched in 2011 in Winnipeg (at the time it was just the second event of its type in the world) and is held the first Saturday of December. It involves knitted scarves being left in public spaces throughout Old Market Square. Each scarf has a tag welcoming those who are cold to take one as a gift.

Another avid Winnipeg knitter is Shar Lynn, volunteer Yarn Works co-ordinator at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg. Not only is knitting a passion for her, but it also complements the church’s commitment to social justice and serving the community while doing something she loves. Knitting with purpose for Shar means she is Bear Clan Patrol’s star stitcher. Her creations include black Bear Clan sweaters, orange sweaters for Every Child Matters and unique red dresses to honour Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls. The sweaters are lovingly matched with just the right teddy bear (known as comfort bears) donated by Mennonite Central Committee Thrift Store. Shar Lynn’s bears have appeared at conferences, workshops and in many public displays.

“I feel connected to community when I knit for Bear Clan,” Shar said. While not one for public accolades, Shar has made a tremendous contribution to reconciliation.

One can appreciate knitting be it for personal satisfaction or for therapeutic reasons, to donate warmth to the unsheltered or to craft an heirloom for one’s progeny. The benefits are as varied as the stitches. In the words of Crystal Salkeld, “keep on knitting.”