Showtime!

The first Maker Faire Detroit came and went in the blink of an eye. Despite the heat and humidity, people came and sat (or stood) to help knit or crochet a scarf. A scarf for a statue. It was extra super mega awesome! People who never held a knitting needle or crochet hook. People who hadn't "used" for 10, 20, 30 years. People who can't let a day end without knitting or crocheting. Children, teenagers, adults, male, female. All learning, teaching, having fun. All engaged in a subversive fiber act. (Oh, yeah, by the way, this was never really officially sanctioned by the powers that be where Tommy lives.)



The energy and enthusiasm of complete strangers involved in a community project was amazing. Some heard about it through the Maker Faire site, some through Ravelry, some through posters at their local yarn store and were looking for us. Others, hearing about it for the first time as they walked by the booth, took time out from their day and added to the "starter scarves." The refrain "I'll just do one row, honey" frequently could be heard. ("Just one more row" was a close second.) Still others, who were unable to attend Maker Faire, sent their squares to be part of the awesomeness.



This awesomeness could not have been accomplished without volunteers. Carolyn Lynette helped with the organization of the project, endured email rants and neurotic ravings as well as womanned the booth on Saturday. Char Sobieski set up her spinning wheel to show people this craft (and donated a lovely skein of her hand-spun yarn for the project). Mary Sebastian came quite a distance to help out and never seemed to tire despite the long, long day she spent enabling and assisting. Elanda Geter helped at the booth on Saturday and then volunteered for some more punishment booth activity on Sunday. Elizabeth Najduch, not a knitter on Friday but definitely one by the end of Saturday, was there both long days as tactical support and photo documentarian. Kathryn Anderson, Carol Radke and Dawn Hammontree were the enablers on Sunday. Dawn, who saw the announcement on Ravelry and volunteered, brought her spinning wheel and spun while multitasking with other booth activities. (She also made a swatch for the scarf out of yarn made from the sheep in Greenfield Village, some of which she dyed herself.) Lisa Cieri was not able to be at Maker Faire but she was a great help with the organizing, knitting some "starter scarves", hand holding, cheerleading and creating the wonderful banner on the top of this site.




The support of Neighborhood Knits was also instrumental in getting this project accomplished. They helped get the word out, helped in yarn and swatch donations and also provided a coupon to people who participated in the project at Maker Faire.

Truly, words cannot express the appreciation of everyone involved to make this crazy scheme work.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!

More pictures will be posted here and on Flickr once I get my act together. Stay tuned for the assembled scarf and the bedecking of Tommy!