Virginia Woolf knitted. Vanessa Bell crocheted. And we are doing both at #Woolf2018.
Vanessa Bell painting of Woolf knitting in an armchair
The 28th Annual International Conference on Virginia Woolf at Woolf College at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England, includes the Woolf Project. And like the theme of the conference — Virginia Woolf, Europe, and Peace — the Woolf Project focuses on peace as well.
Woolf knitting
It reimagines Bell’s portrait of Woolf knitting in an armchair by covering it with pieces knitted and crocheted by conference-goers and University of Kent staff.
Throughout the conference, participants are picking up knitting needles and crochet hooks and choosing yarn from a basket full of colorful skeins and balls to fashion squares and other shapes. These are being joined together to cover an armchair placed in the midst of the conference space.
Knit for Peace
Once the conference is over, the chair cover will be taken apart by Emma Brainbridge of Kent, who has overseen the project, and transformed into blankets for the charity Knit for Peace.
knitting is the saving of life – Virginia Woolf
The Woolf Project in action
A variety of yarn,, hooks, and needles are available for conference-goers to pick up and use.
Emma Bainbridge of Kent with the armchair in its nearly complete cover, complete with accessory pillow.
The Woolf Project armchair covered in crocheted and knitted squares and other shapes created by conference-goers.
Even the back of the armchair is covered with handwork of many colors, shapes, and designs.