Hippystitch: Fantasy Fish Yarnstorm

Fantasy Fish

What are we doing?
In May it's Craft & Design Month which celebrates crafts across the UK, and with your help, Deborah New & I plan to make a giant Fantasy Fish installation for Rowntree Park, York in time for the Rowntree Park Birthday Party on Sunday 17 July 2016.

Why have we chosen fish?

In Medieval times, York had the King’s Fishpool. Created by damming the River Foss, this large expanse of water, as well as contributing to the city’s defences, was well known for its abundance of fish. In Rowntree Park, where our display will be, the lake becomes so laden with a variety of fish, following flooding that the York & District Amalgamation of Anglers have to net and rehome them. Also, fish come in many different colours, shapes and sizes. This offers lots of possibilities to both experienced crafters and those who are looking to try making them for the first time. So for historical, local and crafty reasons and just so everyone’s imaginations can run riot – we’ve chosen to make Fantasy Fish!

Workshops

One of our workshops is in Voluntary Arts Week 2016 (6-15 May). This is an annual celebration of cultural creativity across the UK & Republic of Ireland. At our Fantasy Fish workshops, you can unleash your creativity with knitting, stitching, pompom making, finger knitting, or knitting with very large needles.

Workshop Dates

Tuesday 10 May 2016 – The Winning Post Pub
127-129 Bishopthorpe Road, York, YO23 1NZ
19:00 – 21:00

Saturday 21 May 2016 – The Golden Ball Pub
2 Cromwell Road, York, YO1 6DU

12:00 – 14:00

Thursday 26 May 2016 – Rowntree Park Café

Rowntree Park, Richardson Street, York, YO23 1JU
14:00 – 16:00

Drop in – all materials provided

Want to join in but can't make a workshop?
If you can't get to any of the workshops but still want to be involved you'll find some Fantasy Fish knitting patterns here. Completed fish can be left at Rowntree Park Cafe, Rowntree Park, Richardson Street,York, YO23 1JU or dropped off at any of the workshops (see above). If you use twitter why not post a picture and use #FantasyFish in your post.

Fantasy Fish Knittng Patterns

And you don't have to use these patterns - we'd be happy to have a knitted, stitched, felted or crocheted fish of your preferred design.

When will the installation be up?
The Fantasy Fish installation goes up in Rowntree Park on Monday 27 June (by the tennis courts, near the café and beyond) and will be on display until after the Rowntree Park Birthday Party on Sunday 17 July 2016.

And afterwards?

Because the recent floods in York were so devastating to homes and businesses we have decided to raise funds for the York Flood Appeal. After the installation comes down the handmade fish will be sold to fundraise for this purpose. There will be two sales days in the Park on Saturday 27 August 2016 and on Friday 2 September 2016 (unless we have sold out!) Further details about the sales and where in the park they will be, will be available nearer the time.

Want to see what we've done before?

Yarnstorming Event in Rowntree Park - 2013