The Godfather of craft collectives
No CommentsManchester Craft and Design Centre is one of my favourite places in the city. For those who’ve never been, this former fish market is a treasure trove of high-quality handicrafts – a hub of creativity long before Shudehill was reimagined as the Northern Quarter and swelled with overpriced bars.
Next Saturday is the grand opening of UK Craft Mafias – an exhibition dedicated to the eponymous movement which uses blogs and social networking sites to instil a maverick spirit in those who make stuff. Activities will include paper cutting, cross stitch, knitting or whatever else you fancy and anyone is welcome to attend – see www.manchestercraftmafia.com/about.htm to find out more.
I must confess that the resurgence of knitting has passed me by – I just don’t have the patience – but if your idea of fun is spending a rainy afternoon poring over tattered patterns and clashing crochet hooks, head up to Oak Street sharpish.
In a separate project responding to the Craft Mafias launch, Salford artists ArtYarn will wrap yarn around the building’s first-floor bannister – and the public is invited to join in. ArtYarn (www.artyarn.blogspot.com) is coordinated by Rachael Elwell and Sarah Hardacre, who aim to promote the diversity and versatility of knitting and crochet in modern art. Their installation Yarn Forward will run alongside the UK Craft Mafias display.
How to take part:
* Knit or crochet a decorative knitted strip 7cm wide x 40 cm long. Any colour, yarn and technique is accepted, the brighter and wackier the better
* Write a small note stating your name and location. Each knitted strip will house a small label stating the maker’s details
* Send your yarn strips to Manchester Craft & Design Centre, 17 Oak Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester M4 5JD or drop them off in person to the office on the first floor
The pieces will be stitched together and wrapped around the craft centre’s first-floor banister at the opening and added to during the exhibition, so you can make your contribution at any point before the end of April.
If you can’t make Saturday’s launch, the craft centre’s bimonthly Lo Fi evenings, hosted by Manchester Craft Mafia, will resume on Tuesday, 7 April. As previously mentioned on this blog, they’re an opportunity for networking and making things with fellow Mancunians – all for just £3.50. For details email nico@opheliabutton.co.uk.
