Spesh!

The Annual Wellingtonista Awards are drawing ever closer, as with Christmas and all those other fun December things.

We are always a bit surprised when people get excited about what we're doing - it's just what we do, you know?

But we'll go with this - a nomination for Best Art Experience (up against some pretty awesome candidates); and a little birdy tells me there is a second nomination to come. Ooooer!

Head over to the Wellingtonista to vote for the best of Wellington 2009 and it would be fabulous to see you at the awards ceremony at the splendid Mighty Mighty on December 17.

It's been a busy wee while here at OutdoorKnit.

Knitsch yarns had a wonderful soft launch at Craft2.0 on Thursday to the gorgeous sounds of Spartacus R. Thanks a million to the wonderful Sue who does an amazing organising job every time.

Same night I got my dirty little paws on the latest issue of World Sweet World.

It's been a week of great magazines - new Peppermint, new WSW, and the launch of extra curricular...

Most importantly though, there is an article on the one and only stiX in the pages of WSW. Awww.

And again, same night, Kowhai of the Wellingtonista passed on our official looking T4WAs nominations - complete with fanfare. Needless to say it was a little exciting. See the one on the left? Yep, that says Wellingtonian of the Year. What an honour. We're nominated alongside some pretty amazing Wellingtonians so it is pretty special just to be considered for the category. Voting is open from now until 15 December, so get your votes in!

Possibly there are enough superlatives in just this post so shall leave it there. In the next few days the grovelling shall begin - we need help!

Spesh!

The Annual Wellingtonista Awards are drawing ever closer, as with Christmas and all those other fun December things.

We are always a bit surprised when people get excited about what we're doing - it's just what we do, you know?

But we'll go with this - a nomination for Best Art Experience (up against some pretty awesome candidates); and a little birdy tells me there is a second nomination to come. Ooooer!

Head over to the Wellingtonista to vote for the best of Wellington 2009 and it would be fabulous to see you at the awards ceremony at the splendid Mighty Mighty on December 17.

errata

Dear Next magazine,

There are knit taggers south of the Bombay hills. Next time, if you're going to use one of our photos, at least mention us.

Love,

OutdoorKnit.

PS we did heaps more before the heart fence too, aye.

Also got my grubby mitts on a copy of Yarnbombing. Freaking cool book. Once there is a little spare time on my hands, the convertible cardi is so going on the needles.

Unfortunately it's my fault we don't have any pics in the book (long story, we were asked!). But OutdoorKnit is mentioned, albeit as Australians. Sigh. Bummer. We is most deffo Kiwis.

Had a fabuloso time at The Annual Wellingtonista Awards. We were pipped at the post by Yayoi Kusama for Best Public Art Experience, and Martin Bosley's City Market for Wellingtonian of the year. It was still pretty special to be nominated, and stiX came! Super excited that's she's back in Welly for a week. I'm on a mission to convince her that the capital is the place to be.

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. In the very New Year there shall be announcements galore around our Next Big Project.

Love,

Knitsch xx

When do we stop?

First up - CNN! Been meaning to post this for ages, but here it is. Go stiX and the heart fence!

now the thoughtful bit-

Of late i've struggled with whether or not to continue with knit graffiti.

My concept of what knit graffiti is, and why I do it, is pretty strong. I want to challenge, inspire, and do the unexpected. Not only have I not felt that i've been achieving this of late, but the amount of 'knit graffiti' has jumped dramatically.

So I had a conversation with my mother (as you do) about why and how and if. We considered the definition of what I call 'knit graffiti' with 'knit tags'. There are the pieces that are put up because they look pretty, and those that are saying something. The knitted squares that go on trees because it is 'fun', and the carefully considered statement pieces put up to prove that craft can be art.

On the third hand, there are the 'installations' - crafted tags attached with the blessing of an authority, be it in public or in a gallery.

Personally I want to progress OutdoorKnit to keep saying stuff, but say it differently, to continue to find new and different ways to stand up for craft and feminism and thought-provoking public art. Having decided this, I was happy to continue, albeit quietly for the time being.

This week friend in Ireland sent me the link to the video below. I watched it, rolled my eyes and went back to those original thoughts. You can't get more mass media than Vodafone, really.

What's the point if it is mainstream and no longer seen as subversive? And then I thought of Banksy, and even the Wellington graffiti crew who continue to inspire despite the fact graffiti is seen more and more as 'mainstream'. They keep going, so, dammit, will I. But my work will be more considered and carefully crafted. And i'm going to keep saying stuff.

Who's with me?