Wednesday, July 11, 2007

1000 Knitters: The First Public Shoot

ThirdA friendly reminder from the little guy with the camera to you.

The first day of public shooting for the 1,000 Knitters photography project is this Saturday, July 14, from 9 am to 5:30 pm at Arcadia Knitting (1613 West Lawrence) in Chicago.

If you are thinking about coming, and I hope you are, please read the following carefully. I hate, hate, hate lists of rules, but I think setting forth a few will help to ensure a pleasant day for all.
  1. Do I need to sign up in advance? No. Sitting will be on a first-come, first-served basis. I've had terrible luck with advance reservations for stuff like this, particularly on summer weekends. That way madness lies.

    When you arrive at the shop, you'll be given a number. Until your number is called, you're free to roam as you wish. The shop will be replete with a trunk show, sale items, new arrivals, and much more to occupy your time if you prefer to wait your turn on the premises.

    Please don't stray too far, though; if you miss your turn, you'll be asked to move graciously to the rear of the line. Of course, I don't expect that to be an issue. Knitters are always fair and never pushy, unless there are Koigu mill ends going cheap.

  2. How long will the wait be? Honestly, I don't know. It will depend on how many people show up. I intend to keep things moving along as quickly as possible, but I also have to spend quality time with each person to tell our story properly.

    I suppose I could shoot bangbangbang, three faces a minute, like those nice people who issue driver's licenses at the Department of Motor Vehicles; but I fear you might not like the results.

    Besides...you're going to be in a yarn store. With knitters. How much of hurry are you going to be in to get away?

  3. What should I bring or wear? The only thing I will ask of you, other than the gift of your presence, is that you complete and sign a standard model release before you sit. A model release is a simple form which gives me permission to use your image in this project. The form will also ask you to provide your name, occupation, city and state to possibly accompany your photograph in future exhibitions. ADDENDUM: Please note that if you are under 18, you will also need to have your release signed by your parent or guardian.

    As far as what to wear, that's up to you. Just please wear something. Not that I have moral objections to nudity, mind you, but the yarn is rather itchy.

  4. You want to use my name? Can I be anonymous? While I would prefer that you agree to use both your first and last names, I won't insist. But I will ask that you at least provide your first name and initial. After all, part of the point of this is lifting the veil of anonymity that traditionally blankets those who do handwork. If you are not willing to be identified minimally as, for example, "Patricia T. of Niles, Illinois" then you may prefer not to sit.

  5. What will this cost me? There is no charge for participation. What happens when you encounter the bin of sale yarns, however, is your own affair.

  6. Will be allowed to preview and approve my photograph? What, and spoil all the fun on the day I launch the first exhibit? I couldn't possibly do that to you.

  7. I can't be there. Are you going to do this again? Yes! I've got three messages (at least) from other yarn shops waiting for a response and I am hoping to work out arrangements with all of them. In addition, it looks like (this is not confirmed) I may be shooting at Stitches Midwest. And that's just for starters.
Arcadia says they've encountered quite a bit of interest. I'm excited beyond words. Smile pretty, y'all.

61 comments:

Unknown said...

Will you come to Boston if we host a shoot in the shop? I've got a wonderful little alcove...just a thought

(formerly) no-blog-rachel said...

Franklin, if you ever head out West to the Bay Area to do this I hope you blog about it before-hand; there are LOTS of us out here who'd love to 1) meet you and 2) take part!

Anonymous said...

Oooh, I hope you have a great, great time! I only wish I could be there.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like lots of fun. And I can't wait to see the actual exhibition of photographs.

Not to mention some notecards for the gallery giftshops with details like that one in this post on the front of them.

miss ewe said...

Canada is very photogenic. And we have the Harlot. And we make Koigu. And Fleece Artist. And Hand Maiden. And Sweet Georgia yarns... and... and... and...

I'm just sayin'.

Jeanne said...

Any chance one of the potential yarn shops is Threadbear Fiber Arts in Lansing, MI, or Fiberworks Knitting & Weaving in Toledo, OH? If so, I'll be there with bells on (and maybe a shirt and pants as well)! Have a GREAT shoot!

Terri said...

I wish you the best of luck with your 1000 Knitters project. I live in the Kansas City area, and I may actually be at the Stitches event. If possible, please post which day you will be at Stitches.

Lisa said...

Same sentiment from me too Franklin. If ever you come to Texas, I'll round up such a passel of kinitters, you would not knwo what happened to your camera.

Best of love and best of luck!

Anonymous said...

Hmm... I just might show up on Saturday. What a fabulous idea!

Pink said...

I am bummed not to be near Chicago...

Mel said...

What Sean said. You do have a christening shawl to deliver out this way, after all. I'd totally be there, and maybe could convince David, too.

Victoria said...

Many happy and good vibes sent to you for Saturday. :-)

Rabbitch said...

Well, I was going to come but if you're insisting on clothes, I just can't be bothered.

Well, that and the fact that I can't get time off work and don't have the cash to get there. Yes, those little facts.

(Hope it's fun, babycakes).

Anonymous said...

Man, I got goosebumps just from seeing the detail shot of Knitter 0003. This is going to be an heirloom project, indeed. I saw that and had flashes of some of the magnificent art projects from the Depression. I hope when you're finished, the smart ones in the arts field beg you for a traveling exhibit, because if they don't - they're nuts!

And if you ever get to Portland some day for the continuing series, "1000 Knitters: The Second Round", we can start advertising by putting a notice on the new PDX Knit Bloggers group. [g] We found there's a real whack of us in town! (I have a feeling you probably won't need to do that much traveling to hit 1K though. Darn it.)

Anonymous said...

Good luck on Saturday, Franklin.

I have a feeling that more people are going to turn up than you can manage to shoot in one day.

The knitter 0003 detail is wonderful and I wonder just how many of your 1000 knitters you already have in the bag, huh?

All the best,
Dawn

Anonymous said...

BosTON, bosTON, bosTON!

Anonymous said...

Franklin - for those of us who live absolutely nowhere near Chicago, e.g. Dublin Ireland, how about a category for self portraits. Check out my blog for a photo of me knitting for the Tour de France Knitalong. Good luck on Saturday!

Anonymous said...

Excellent idea!

Coming to Atlanta? Knitch yarn store totally rocks and you need to check it out.

Lydia said...

Would totally love to have you in Atlanta, we peaches knit too! Ditto with Debbie Knitch is awesome.

Anonymous said...

Here's to much success! *clink*

Anonymous said...

I wish I could be there - when you coming to the UK???

Eden said...

Hey, you know, Toronto (Canada) is absolutely crawling with knitters. Lousy even...

And just to reiterate what others previously have said, we have for you The Harlot, Amy Singer, all kinds of bloggers you may have read, and other miscellaneous really fabu knitters.

You'd be over-run. We represent when the call comes.

Anonymous said...

I do so hope you'll be at Stitches Midwest!!
Though I'm sad to miss this event, the 1,200 mile commute to make it there would be a tad much. My credit card is limp with relief, knowing that it would have been put to work while I waited in line. We're not telling it how hard it will have to work should the Stitches Shoot take place in striking distance of the market!

Anonymous said...

Okay, everyone's begging you to come to their towns and I have to do the same. The Twin Cities is only eight hours from you by car or Amtrak!

Anonymous said...

Awww man, and there I was thinking this was a nudist project instead....
Thank you for doing this, Franklin!!

Anonymous said...

PHILly, PHILly, PHILly...

besides, you have friends here like joe and carol and marilyn.

stop here on the way to maine...or boston...

(pretty please?)

Anonymous said...

Darn....I'm not travelling to Chicago until the first weekend in Aug....to visit my daughter who also lives in Lakeview :-)
Maybe I'll connect on another photo shoot date.
Love this whole idea!

Knitting Granny said...

Although I HATE having my picture taken, I would be there on the 14th just to have the opportunity to meet you.

Anonymous said...

Yes, come West young man! Do a 1000 West Coast series. Seattle or Portland

I have goosebumps about this project! Saturday while I'm camping in Central Oregon in the heat knitting I'll be thinking of everyone at the shoot. What fun.

Kris said...

See you there!

Lise said...

There are lots of knitters in Ottawa, too - and being the capital of Canada and all ...

The next step will be for you to publish a coffee table book once the exhibits have sold out across the continent.

See you in Ottawa
Lise

shopgirl said...

Oh my, this is fantastic. Would you like to come to San Francisco? I would LOVE to host you!
www.noeknit.com

T said...

First of all: Enjoy your Saturday and bask in the love of all the knitters who will be there. Second: I'm so freakin bitter I won't be there. It's all kind of like when your kid moves out. Lots of happiness for them and a big selfish dose of why the hell aren't they here.

Anonymous said...

You are so damn cool!

-mariannne

TurnipToes said...

I am very excited for you, and I hope it turns out as well as it seems it may.

Kathy (I believe that is her name...eeek) was very nice when I stopped by there to pick some souvenir yarn during my recent trip to Chicago.

Good luck!

Anonymous said...

I just realized I'll be in Chicago this weekend...

Anonymous said...

I think this project is a really lovely idea and am a little bit sad that I am off to the beach here in New England instead of in Chicago heading for a wait in a yarn shop.

Liza the Blogless

JanKnitz said...

The boy takes nice pictures!

:o)

I am impressed with your photo. Looking forward to the completed project.

Unknown said...

And NYC! If you manage to make it to NYC, I'm sure there are lots of us who'd love to take part!

Anonymous said...

I suspect you'll get your thousand before you ever even think about coming to the Denver area, but do keep us in mind!

And I'm definitely buying the coffee table book when it comes out. That detail looks beautiful.

Anonymous said...

I'm just guessing that your not shooting at the Midwest Folk and Fiber Art show next weekend, unless your up to taking outdoor shots. It may make a fun weekend trip for fiber and spinning things (THE FOLD is on the vender list). Check out the site at www.fiberandfolk.com
Hoping to be at Arcadia.

Susan B. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Susan B. said...

What a storming great way to celebrate Bastille Day!

Viva le Franklin!

Beth said...

At the rate you are going, you could probably do a 1000 Knitters for each state, including Alaska and Hawaii, and every other industrialized country. Though, could you find 1000 knitters in Nunavut?

Kristen said...

Woo-hoo! I'm so happy for you that your project is off with a zooming start! Put me in line for the book!

knittingjuju said...

Oh have fun! I once participated in a photo shoot with Spencer Tunic... Is this a related sort of project? Wish I could be there... and I'm so close, too... pout.

katerina said...

I can't wait! I only wish I didn't have to work in the morning so I could get there earlier.. I hope I get a good number....

Anonymous said...

Philly - And Dhi plays fiddle at a wonderful Irish pub in Philly...RIGHT down the street from a yarn store! Woot! (I'm sure I could work something Lebanese up with the band by then.)
;-)

You're the tits, hon.

Anonymous said...

DIDN'T mean to be "Anonymous"!

Dhi

Mary Peed said...

Stitches. Stitches is coming up. Oh man. There goes the budget.

Great picture, btw.

Jennie said...

Franklin, honey, listen to no-blog-rachel. Bay Area--lots of knitters, great variety, and lots and lots of cute gay men. Lots.

They don't call it the Gay Mecca for nothin'!

dpaste said...

This sounds all very terribly exciting. I am willing to bet, Franklin, that you will be agog at the numbers that turn up tomorrow. Have a wonderful time, remember to breath, and be sure to have some kind of relaxing treat waiting for you when the day is through.

Katherine said...

If you come to the Washington, DC area I have a nice little LYS in Laurel, MD--KnitWits Boutique. I know they'd love to host a day of shooting. It's a new shop and needs the publicity.

Matt said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Matt said...

Ok. What kind of idiot would I have to be NOT to want you and 1000 Knitters at ThreadBear. Want traveling expenses? Done. Want a room with a view? Got it. Get back in touch if you're interested. We'll make it happen for ya... who'm I kidding? It's for us, too... ALL of Mid-Michigan would go gaga! Mail Matt

Katy said...

I would love to participate in the project, but even if it doesn't work out, I can't wait to see the end result!

Ms. L said...

Stupid all-weekend music festival, keeping me from getting to Arcadia.

If you're at Stitches MW, though, I'll be there.

Tomme said...

So, how did it go, Franklin? How many knitters did you photograph on Saturday? Did you have a ball, or were you just exhausted?

Unknown said...

Franklin . . . hellllllooooo . . . how did it go?

firefly said...

Awesome photo. I loooove work like that. Will you feature (sell?) some of it in your online gallery?

Annie said...

DO come to Boston!