Hebden Bridge Arts Festival

YARNSTORM: pick up your knitting needles to join the fun

At a loose end? Get knitting!

Arts Festival plans to ‘yarnstorm’ Hebden Bridge this summer are gathering momentum as community groups, schools and individuals pick up their knitting needles to join the fun.

Knitted street art, sometimes referred to as ‘yarnbombing’ or ‘guerrilla knitting’ is becoming an international trend. Rebecca Yorke, Festival coordinator said, “We’re very excited that knitting and crocheting are going to play a part in this year’s celebrations. We want to see Hebden Bridge decked with knitted bunting, knitted buns and other birthday-themed pieces to help us mark the 18th Festival and we’d like as many people to get involved as possible.”

Local knitter and seamstress Helen Baron has designed some patterns to get everyone inspired and these will be available from the Festival website or from Ribbon Circus and Word of Mouth Crafts and Supplies. Download Pattern One

Helen has also been busy experimenting with plastic carrier bags instead of knitting yarn and has set the town the challenge of creating a mile of knitted chain to adorn the streets.

“This is so simple”, said Helen. “ You can use any weight of yarn, or string, or strips of plastic bags (not the biodegradable ones). Any colour, any texture. Here’s what you do:

Using needles appropriate for your yarn, cast on about 60 sts (45 if you are using a super chunky yarn). If you are using plastic bags, cast on 40 stitches on a 10mm needle. Knit 5 or 6 rows. Cast off. Sew together using a large needle, or knit together the 2 short ends to make a loop. Don’t forget to interlink the new loop through the last one created to make a chain.”

Recently opened Zeitgeist salon is providing needles and yarn for their clients to knit with while they are having their hair cut. “We think it’s a great idea”, said stylist Deborah Wilkinson. “We’re knitting bunting to brighten up Carlton Street during the Festival.”

“The word is spreading.” said Rebecca. “We’re thrilled that local schools are taking part, as are artists from Brooklyn Studios and members of the newly formed Hebden Bridge WI. It looks like we’re headed for a colourful Festival fortnight!”

The 2011 Festival, which is generously supported by Welcome to Yorkshire, Hebden Royd Town Council and Sweet & Maxwell will run from Friday June 24 to Sunday July 10. The programme will be revealed on May 6 and all information will be at Festival website . To get involved in the knitting project, email hbfestival@gmail.com or leave a message at 01422 842684. You can also visit facebook page ‘Hebden Bridge Summer Yarnstorming’.

Download Pattern One

The 2011 Festival will run from Saturday June 25 to Sunday July 10. To keep in touch with plans, visit www.hbaf.co.uk, email hbfestival@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook.

For Friends scheme and sponsorship enquiries, contact Rebecca Yorke via hbfestival@gmail.com or on 01422 842546 (office hours only please).