What's New in Sebastopol

Here are some photos of iKnit Sebastopol's most recent work.

iKnit Sebastopol team leader, Diane Psota, installs a wrap while members of the community look on.

We have received lots of positive feedback from the citizens of Sebastopol. 

One of our most beautiful knitted wraps before it was tragically stolen.

iKnit Sebastopol has succeeded in brightening up the Sebastopol town square.

We would like to thank all of the people who contributed to iKnit Sebastopol. In the future, we will post a list of knitters and crocheters on the blog. If you would like to be included, please leave your name as a comment on this post.
Thank you



iKnit Sebastopol Update

  The iKnit Sebastopol team finished installing the wraps in the town square and has extended the project to some of the trees in front of a few local businesses. The general public has reacted in a very positive way to iKnit Sebastopol and we have continued to receive a steady stream of knitted wraps over the last few weeks.The covered light posts look wonderfully warm and cozy as the weather changes and we usher in the Autumn season. Wraps have been made by many members in our community with the youngest contributor being only nine years old. Overall, the iKnit Sebastopol team couldn't be happier with the outcome of this project. However, the other day we went to check on the light posts and install a few extra wraps on some trees when I noticed that not all of the light posts were covered. On closer inspection it was found that six of the wraps had been stolen off of the light posts! One had been clipped apart and left hanging off of the pole and had to be removed. The iKnit Sebastopol team is shocked and concerned about the fate of the future of our project.  The knitting in the Sebastopol town square is a public art project and we ask the public to leave it on the poles. If you have the knitting or know anything about its whereabouts please drop it off at Tamberlane in Sebastopol, no questions asked. Also, please remember that these wraps will be donated to the Humane Society after the project is over.

Installation On Sunday

The installation date for iKnit Sebastopol is October 24. Only three days away! So remember to finish off your pieces and drop them off at Tamberlane so we can prepare for installation. Not quite done yet? Don't worry. We may still be able put up your piece if you turn it in before November 21 when all of the knitting comes down and is turned into pet blankets for the Sonoma County Humane Society. In the mean time, remember to mark your calenders for October 24 and come to the Sebastopol town square from 10am onwards for the installation of iKnit Sebastopol!

Come Knit With Us

Recently the days have been rushing by at an astonishing pace. Remember to mark your calenders for October 24 when iKnit Sebastopol will be installed. As we approach this important date the community aspect of iKnit Sebastopol can be felt more than ever. Are you looking for inspiration, good conversation, and a few great places to share your love of fiber arts? Check out some of these great community resources:

1. Visit some of Sonoma County's finest local yarn stores such as Balls and Skeins and The Legacy in Sebastopol, and Cast Away's and Village Knitting in Santa Rosa. These shops contain an excellent community of knitters and knitting groups many of which are affiliated with iKnit Sebastopol.
2. Are you looking for inspiration and some examples of the finished project? Just Google "knitting around poles" and check out some of the beautiful examples of knitted street art around the world.
3. Finally, come knit with us every Sunday at the Sebastopol Farmer's Market in the town square. Just bring a chair and your knitting, crochet, or weaving. Hope to see you there.

Let's Start Knitting!

iKnit Sebastopol has been officially approved by the Sebastopol City Council. Now that we have permission, let's start knitting. Here are the facts you need to know to participate in iKnit Sebastopol.

• Use only 100%  synthetic yarn. Remember that after iKnit Sebastopol is over, the wraps will become pet blankets for the Humane Society, so overly fuzzy or fluffy yarns might not be a good idea.
• Create pieces that are 15" wide (the circumference of each pole) by a minimum of 5" to a maximum of 28".
• Crochet, weaving and, of course, knitting, are all welcome and encouraged.
• We will be joining them together on October 24, 2010 and they will remain on the poles until November 21.
• Need more information? Check out our Facebook group or visit a few of our sponsors such as The Legacy, Dressers, Silk Moon, Balls and Skeins, or Tamberlane.
• Finally, come knit (or crochet) with us every Sunday at the Sebastopol farmers market. Hope to see you there!

Here's the prototype post that Diane knit for the City Council meeting.

Moving Forward

Hello everybody,
We are happy to announce that iKnit Sebastopol is on the City Council's agenda for the meeting this Tuesday evening! This meeting will hopefully result in the City of Sebastopol granting permission for iKnit Sebastopol to begin. In preparation for this possibly monumental meeting, we are preparing a petition of people who pledge to knit for the cause. If you would like to add your name to this petition, just leave a comment and your name attached to this post and we will add it for you.
 We are also planning the first official knit out once we get permission, so grab your yarn and needles and stay tuned for updates.
   ~iKnit Sebastopol
P.S. The organizers of the project are working on making a sample version of the knitted pole to present at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, so we should have some photos up by next week.

iKnit Sebastopol

     Knitting has always been a big part of our community and now there is a project that brings this beautiful artform out of knitting shops and living rooms and into the street. iKnit Sebastopol is a fresh, new project that proposes gathering our community together and covering the light posts and gazebo columns with knitting. We are still in the process of obtaining permission from the City of Sebastopol, and arranging precise installation and take-down dates as well as special gatherings and knit outs. So gather your yarn and needles and stay tuned for updates.