Knit-Out Activity Planning
Organizing Activities for a CYCA Knit and Crochet Event
Responsibilities of Coordinators
Coordinators are in charge of everything necessary to make the event go. They develop a timetable leading up to the event, find a site and organize physical set-up of the space, schedule activities and organize volunteers before and during the event, promote the event, and make sure the actual “day of” runs smoothly.
Coordinators should designate "chiefs," or individuals to oversee the major areas of the Knit & Crochet event. Delegate, delegate, delegate—one person can’t do everything.
Preliminary Planning
Prepare a rough layout of where events and volunteers will be located. Leave enough space for walkways around tables and activities. Stage fashion shows or Show & Tell programs in highly visible areas and remember there must be a cordoned-off space in which models can change.
Designate sub-chiefs and be honest in evaluating each other's strengths. For instance, if someone has a flair for fashion, ask if they would organize the fashion show; if another is an excellent children's teacher, ask her to organize the children's how-to area. When scheduling, remember to arrange to have enough volunteers early in the day for set-up and at the end of the event for clean up and tear down.
Activities Planning
Essential Items Tables and chairs will certainly be needed, so that people can watch demonstrations, and attend lessons. Easels are helpful for signs, and depending on the location, a portable microphone may be required. Platforms or risers also may be necessary for fashion shows and presentations. Check with the facility being considered and ask about the availability of these items; they may loan them out for the event.
Lessons Teaching people to knit, crochet, or craft with yarn, and providing a place for people to come together are the essential missions of these events. Informal and friendly is the atmosphere to strive for. Keep it simple.
Fashion Shows Organizing a fashion show is optional, but they are incredibly fun events. Contact a local crochet or knitting guild and ask for their assistance. Guild members are a wonderful source of attractive, eye-catching projects, plus, they can provide information on how items are made.
Local yarn retailers are another excellent source for garments and accessories. Often, they may have store models that they would be willing to loan. Perhaps they have access to a trunk show, that is, garments provided on loan from a yarn manufacturer, that they would consider presenting.
A Show & Tell portion of the Knit-Out & Crochet event can be developed into an informal fashion show, with knitters and crocheters sharing their project ideas. “Show & Share,” or "Bring 'n Brag" as it is sometimes called, is always a crowd-pleaser. Knitters and crocheters bring or wear finished items and discuss how they were made.
If there is a fashion design department at a nearby college, consider contacting them for garments. A wonderful source of non-professional models is a local high school or college; they would love the experience. Have a script prepared for the emcee that will help the audience understand how a garment is made and what they have to know in order to make a similar project.
Charity Events
Adding a charity project to your event is a win/win idea. People like to share their talents to help others, it attracts knitters and crocheters who might not otherwise have attended, and something very worthwhile is being done for the community. Invite other charities to join, too.
More Information: CYCA Knit-Out & Crochet, Promoting a Craft Event, and The 'Day Of'
Knit-Out Gathering
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