KNIT: Full event programme
The following is the list of hands-on public programme of workshops, drop-in activities, and expert sessions ranging from crochet 101 to mending to guerrilla knitting, hosted over the course of KNIT: Original fashion created from yarn in August 2025.
In this workshop participants made very simple fingerless gloves. It is a very satisfying little project that taught the essential fundamental skills of knitting and it filled in common knowledge gaps for beginner+ knitters.
Skills covered include:
As well as discussing concepts like selecting your yarn and needles, gauge and blocking.
Yarntime for the whole whānau
The following workshops on Sunday 10 August were curated to be fun for the whole family.
The following workshops are funded by the Waitematā Local Board.
Weave a little wonder
Sunday 10 August, 11:00am - 3:00pm
The RAU Textile Research team from AUT taught participants how to get hands-on with their very own experimental woven creation using a mini loom. This playful workshop was open to all ages and skill levels, bringing curiosity and a willingness to weave a little wonder.
Cher led with a swashbuckling good time in this playful knitting workshop for kids (8+) and grown-up buccaneers alike. For those just setting sail on their knitting journey, participants learned the basics of knitting or to sharpen their skills with flair and fun.
Let nothing go to waste! Scrappy scarf knitting used those odds and ends of wool to create something fabulously wearable.
Needles and wool were provided through our Yarning Circle donations, and any odds of wool participants brought with them. The scarf is worked just in knit stitch. Skills taught included how to increase and decrease stitches, work in knit stitch and how to join in yarn. At the end of the workshop, people were invited to take away lengths of yarn to continue their project at their own pace.
Getting Hooked: Crochet for Beginners with Sharleen Greer
Tuesday 12 August, 2:00pm-4:00pm
In this two-hour workshop, basic stitches for crocheting were taught, participants made a flower, and progressed onto granny squares.
About Sharleen Greer
In her community, Sharleen is known as the Crochet Queen for her successful and fun workshops. Her love of crochet started in the seventies when she made crochet waistcoats that are now labelled vintage. Her passion for crochet was reignited in her forties when she attended a workshop on Contemporary Craft. Everyone was knitting and crocheting. Wool was hardly featured with string, rags, paper, wire, and anything else that could form a piece of fabric, being used.
Sharleen specialises in freeform knitting and crocheting and has been a contestant in the World of Wearable Art Awards. She has a passion for finding ways to use the Granny Square in fashionable ways.
Virtual Yarning Circle
Wednesday 13 August, 12:00pm-1:pm
A virtual yarning circle was hosted via zoom as a drop-in session so people could interact from home, not matter where they were based. This session invited participants to interact with the exhibition and each other to share their work and impressions of the exhibit.
Eileen led a relaxed, hands-on introduction to the art of crochet. In this beginner-friendly session, she taught how to hold a hook, make a slip knot, chain stitch, slip stitch, double crochet stitch, and begin a first crochet piece — perfect for total beginners or anyone looking to refresh the basics.
In this workshop with Hazel she combined fundamental techniques of knit and purl stitches to add stretch, air and texture to participants' knitting.
This workshop was aimed at people with a fundamental knowledge of knitting, and will build on basic skills with the following:
As well as discussing fabric qualities like drape and structure, and how to read your knitting.
This fun and fashion-forward crochet session was designed especially for young adults interested in learning how to create trendy accessories — think scrunchies, colourful motifs, and flower bookmarks.
Participants learned about knitwear repair and restoration techniques with knitwear designer Anna Woodruff.
In this class, people discovered the everyday objects used for repair, how to fix a pull or a dropped stitch, and invisible darning techniques.
This workshop is funded by the Waitematā Local Board.
Sock Knitting Session
Wednesday 20 August, 1:00pm - 3:00 pm
Socks: Top-down or toe-up? Circular or four needles? Special yarn? What's the best way to knit them?
4 experienced makers; Diana Fletcher, Margaret Chapman, Sue Monk, and Janne Gailbraith led and shared their favourite methods, tips, and tricks. This free drop-in session offered hands-on help to get people hooked on knitting socks.
The Buddy System 2025 Reunion with Ani O'Neill, Megan Hansen-Knarhoi and Emily Siddell
Thursday 21 August - 11:00am-8:00pm
Friday 22 August - 11:00am-5:00pm
Saturday 23 August - 10:00am-4:00pm
The Buddy System is a 'learn-to-crochet' interactive experience first presented in the Bright Paradise exhibition at Toi ō Tamaki Auckland Art Gallery in 2001. 24 years on, visitors were once again invited to join artist ‘Buddies’ Ani O'Neill, Megan Hansen-Knarhoi and Emily Siddell to learn simple stitches and create a crocheted flower which were added to a growing wall of flowers and green chain stems. At the completion of the KNIT exhibition the installation was disassembled and every flower has been posted as a special gift to someone nominated by each maker.
This project is funded by the Waitematā Local Board.
Learn from Experience
Sunday 24 August, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Expand your knowledge of knitting, crochet, and repair with our expert yarn team.
Do you want to be inspired? Experienced yarners were on hand in the exhibition to help people solve problems, advance to the next stage, learn new tricks, or simply enjoy seeing their skills in action.
Catherine L’Estrange likes to make unique things that people want to use and wear, so that the story of knitting and wool endures.
Cher Lyall is a yarn whisperer with the knack for untangling knitting mysteries, spinning stories (and wool), and helping makers of all ages find their fibre flow.
Marie Shannon has been knitting for a long time, but still can’t hold the needles properly. She has a particular interest in vintage patterns and hats.
This special opportunity was hosted to learn to make AMÉLIE’s signature balaclava in this hands-on workshop celebrating natural fibre, creativity, and whakawhanaungatanga.
Yarn Tasting Experience with Lester from Prosper Yarns
Thursday 28 August, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
This conversation & mini workshop invited participants to learn more about & play with colour, texture, and gauge. Lester brought in different yarns in all the colours and textures created at Prosper. Discussions included different fibres, and yarn constructions, and their resulting personalities and uses.
Participants experimented by knitting or crocheting swatches to see first-hand how the yarns behave on their own or even when held together with other yarns. Prosper supplied the yarn and needles to use during the workshop.
With the generous support of Prosper Yarns.
Saving your faves with St Jude
Friday 29 August, 11:30am - 4:30pm
Participants were invited to bring knits to repair on this visible mending day. Jude Saint was on hand to workshop the perfect repair.
People learned to bring old knits back to wearable condition with simple, effective darning techniques. No knitting or yarn experience required, just a desire to recycle and make something beautiful with what's on hand!
In this workshop, attendees learned how to construct a knitted garment without a written pattern, instead using an already loved garment as a frame - outline - matrix to create a new piece.
MATRIX was open to anyone who would like to evolve from knitting a simple scarf to start free form pattern making. Kat shared their methods of unconventional design and intuitive contemporary patch-working techniques to demystify the process of knitwear design.
