A new world knitting record!

OK, it’s official: I’m a champion! Well, me and 255 other knitters. We all braved the cold early morning in Martin Place, Sydney today to knit squares to make blankets for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Prince of Wales Hospital and establish the world record for group knitting in the process.

My mum, who has successfully battled cancer on three fronts over the years, couldn’t get to the event today, as she has the ‘flu, but I was there to fly the flag for her — or wield the knitting needles, at least. However, she’s going to be knitting up a storm at home for the cause.

If you , too, couldn’t make it to the event today, but would still like to be a part of this good cause, you can knit squares for blankets at home, plus scarves, wraps, hats or any other garments to help alleviate the chill sensations experienced by patients as they undergo chemotherapy treatment.

To give you an idea of what is needed, we knitted 10-inch squares today using 9mm needles and 8ply wool — you’ll need to cast on around 30 stitches if you’re a knitter with average tension.

All completed items can be sent to the following address up until July 1:

New Idea Knitting Event
Pacific Magazines
35-51 Mitchell St
McMahons Point NSW 2060

Tags: cancer, Charity, Guiness World Records, Prince of Wales Hospital

Knitting world record attempt

New Idea magazine is rallying Sydney knitters to attempt to break the world knitting record for the number of people knitting simultaneously. The event is in support of breast cancer sufferers.

The attempt will be made on Monday, June 15 in Martin Place, Sydney. Knitters need to assemble at 7.30am, when they can check in and collect their goody bag, containing wool, needles and a book of knitting patterns, courtesy of Spotlight, plus a copy of New Idea and a recipe book. Knitters will be making 10-inch squares and need to knit continuously for 20 minutes to break the record.

Squares knitted on the day will be made into blankets and given to women undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer at the Prince of Wales Hospital.

You can download an information pack and find a link to register to be part of the record attempt here. There’s also an address where you can send knitted items to if you can’t make it on the day.

If you can’t make it on the day, you can still send knitted items (hats, scarves & wraps/blankets preferred) to New Idea at the following address:

New Idea Knitting Event
Pacific Magazines
35-51 Mitchell St
McMahons Point NSW 2060

The event is a great chance to meet other knitters and help a good cause at the same time — and how often do you get the chance to be part of a world record?

Tags: breast cancer, Charity, Guiness World Records, New Idea, Prince of Wales Hospital