Media Resources.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 13, 2012,

Media Contact:  Karen Kendrick-Hands

knitheritagemuseum@gmail.com

mobile 313.600.1670

Interviews, photos available on request

MADISON, WI — What began as an idea to educate the public on the historical and cultural significance of knitting and crochet is now one step closer to becoming a reality. The Wisconsin Historical Society, Dr. Ellsworth Brown, Director, is co-hosting a symposium titled “Knitting Heritage Museum: A Work in Progress,” Nov. 8-10 in Madison with a group of Knitting Heritage Museum volunteers. The Yarn Group of TNNA is a sponsor. Participants will discuss issues involved with making the Museum a brick-and-mortar facility and develop action plans for next steps.

“This symposium is intended for textile curators, conservators and collectors, educators, designers, industry representatives, passionate practitioners, and anyone who has ever thought that knitting and crochet deserved a museum, but didn’t know where to start,” notes Karen Kendrick-Hands, a yarn shop owner, designer and coordinator of the Museum project.

Speakers include:
•    Susan Strawn, author of Knitting America: A Glorious Heritage from Warm Socks to High Art
•    Melissa Leventon, principal of Curatrix Group Museum Consultants and Appraisers, and Consultant to the new Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles in Bangkok
•    Trisha Malcolm, vice president and editorial director of Vogue Knitting
•    Jack Blumenthal, vice president of Lion Brand Yarn
Highlights include the opening of a “Curators’ Choice” exhibit of historic knitted and crocheted objects at the Wisconsin Historical Society, created in honor of the symposium, and a closing book signing with knit and crochet authors and designers as part of the Wisconsin Book Festival, which is free.
Full conference Registration is $175. Attend only Thursday evening’s opening lecture with Dr. Strawn for $25. Learn more at Regonline.com/knittingheritagemuseumaworkinprogress.

About the Knit and Crochet Heritage Project
Begun in 2011, the Knitting Heritage Museum  is an initiative of North American knitters and crocheters exploring the creation of an American institute to provide a place to collect, preserve, document and share our knit and crochet heritage. Learn more at https://knittingheritagemuseum.wordpress.com and like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/KnittingHeritageMuseum