Knit Your Bits is a craft project about women’s bodies. We’re asking women to sew, knit or crochet part of their body for an exhibition to celebrate International Women’s Day in March 2022.
We want to create positive understandings of the diversity of women’s bodies using craft and community. It will culminate in an exhibition of Bits which we would like to take around Tasmania.
You can be part of this by joining some workshops at various places around Tasmania, or you can take part by working away in front of the telly at home.
If you would like to take part in some Knit Your Bits workshops, be part of the Knit Your Bits exhibition or you have patterns to share, please contact us on @email. Keep an eye on our social media as we’ll be sharing news, resources and updates.
Frequently Asked Questions about Knit Your Bits
Which part of your body?
That’s up to you. Which parts tells a story that you’d like to share?
Does it have to be knitting?
No, but it is a textile project so we are asking that you use material like wool, cotton, sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery.
How do I participate? Do I have to register, or do I just submit a piece at a certain time?
You can do this on your own, or with a group of friends, and just submit your Bits at collection time.
If you are doing this on your own, we ask you to let us know that you are participating, and to stay on this mailing list. That way we can stay in touch with you, and you know what is happening with the project.
Or you can come to one of our groups and you’ll hear all the chat about the project. We’d still ask you to stay on the mailing list so nothing gets missed.
What are the guidelines for Bits? (What size? What details?)
Great question! We just assumed that people would make life-size or smaller. At the moment we don’t know how many Bits we’ll have for the exhibition, so we can say yes to everything. We might need to reconsider size limits if we get lots of contributions. Please get in touch if you’re thinking of creating something big so we can talk to you about it.
What type of Bits are you wanting for the exhibition?
In terms of body bits, that is up to you. You could make your internal bits (eg intestines, brain) or external bits (eg hands, breasts or vulva) …anything. We’ve started a Pinterest page with some ideas that may help you. Go here.
What type of pieces do you want for the exhibition?
The boundaries on this project are
- It is a textile project.
- Your piece of art could 2 dimensional (eg a piece of embroidery on a flat piece of linen or a piece of tapestry) or it could be a 3 dimensional piece of knitting (eg a reproduction of a uterus).
- Your piece of art could be functional (eg a brain beanie, or a vulva tea cosy)
- Your piece of art could be funny, or sad.
- You can incorporate non textile elements into your Bit (eg feathers or fur).
- We would like the Bits to be identifiable as pieces of a body. No abstract art please.
Can I join a workshop or a group?
Yes! If you have told us that you would like to join a workshop or a group we’ll get back in touch with you about this. We are just working out how many women we have in each area who would like to be in groups.
I’m Tasmanian but I don’t live in Tasmania anymore. Can I be part of this?
YES!
Are there other ways I can contribute?
We may have women contact us who would like to participate but who can’t afford wool (or fabric, or whatever). If you would like to help another woman participate please let us know and let us know what you can offer. If someone identifies that they need such help, we’ll get back in touch with you.
I am on the Board (of Women's Health Tasmania). Do I have to knit something?
YES! Honestly, you lot. Put your back into it.
What is the timeline?
We will need to collect the bits by the end of January 2022 but earlier would be helpful. As soon as you have completed your item, please send it to Margie Law, Women’s Health Tasmania, P.O. Box 248, North Hobart 7002. Make sure you include your name, a return postal address and a story about your Bit, if you have one.
What we want from you
What we would love to know is why you chose that Bit? Is there a story you want to tell about it?
The People's Prize
Who judges the People's Prize?
Everyone coming to the Knit Your Bits Exhibition will get a vote. The Bit with the most votes wins.
Who donated the People's Prize?
The money was donated by the women MPs of the Tasmanian Parliament. Some of them are knitting (and crocheting) too.