Knitting bridges generation gap (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Knitting bridges generation gap

8:32am Tuesday 26th August 2008

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Knitters as old as 90 shared their knowledge with the younger generation to create brightly-coloured patches for a “knitted river” which will go on display at this year’s Saltaire Arts Festival.

Thousands of stitches went into the water-themed artwork as pensioners joined children as young as three for a day of knitting at Cartwright Hall, Bradford.

Organiser Maria Crimmins said: “It was been fantastic. We have got a big shopping bag of completed pieces that people have come along and done.

“We’ve been so busy and had so many people come and help.

“The eldest contributor is 90 and I think we had somebody who was three. We have had grandmas bring their grandchildren and while they have been getting stuck in, they have been teaching the children.

“They have all had a fantastic day.”

More than 50 people went to the Knitting and Wellies event, which also included a trip for the youngsters around Lister Park’s water features.

Maria said: “The park ranger came around and he took a lot of the children off for a walk around the park. They got caught in a shower and came back absolutely soaked but they really enjoyed it.”

The knitted river, which is more than 35 foot long and made up of ten-inch squares in shades of green or blue, was created with wool provided by Texere Yarns, based in Barkerend Road, Bradford.

It was going on display at a Knitting Picnic at Roberts Park in Saltaire before being showcased as part of the festival Arts Trail from September 13.

Maria, who founded the Saltaire-based Knitterati group last year, said she hoped it would encourage more people to take up knitting.

She said: “What is interesting about knitting is that it is not an art that terrifies people. It is a really nice way of passing on skills from the older to the younger generation and for everyone to have a go.”

e-mail: marc.meneaud@telegraphandargus.co.uk

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