LONGMEADOW – The Town Green in Longmeadow will be bustling with local knitters and crocheters on June 8 in celebration of World Wide Knit in Public Day.

The international event, World Wide Knit in Public Day, began in 2005 and is the largest knitter-run event in the world with more than 200 different countries participating.  Co-Chair of the Longmeadow event, Carole Mazzarino, explained that she first organized the event when she facilitated Novel Knitters at Storrs Library in 2013. The event used to take place in the library, however when the Library was closed on Saturdays in June, they changed the location.

“It didn’t make sense to host the event on a different day, when everyone else in the world was knitting on the same Saturday in June!” Mazzarino said. Last year‘s World Wide Knit in Public Day was on the Green and hosted by a local knitting teacher. This year, Mazzarino and co-chair Maryann Reardon took over the event and hope to keep the event annual.

“This year we are looking forward to having many local knitters, crocheters and groups come together for a day of knitting, friendship and participating in an international event. Novel Knitters, two Prayer Shawl Ministries from First Church of Christ, the Adult Center Knitters from Longmeadow and Enfield, and local knitting groups will be attending,” Mazzarino shared.

On June 8, local knitters and crocheters are welcome to come out to the Town Green from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with chairs, lunch, water, sunscreen and their own supplies to work with. All ages and skill levels are welcome to join the group.

“It will be a perfect day for everyone to get together for a relaxing day to knit and enjoy lunch together,” Mazzarino said. Additionally, there will be a raffle with prizes donated by Northampton Wools and other knitting shops. The group hopes to have approximately 100 knitters attend.

Sponsors for this years event in Longmeadow include Knitting Criations, Michaels and Webs.

Knitters and crocheters can gather on the Green on Longmeadow St., Route 5, directly across from the First Church of Christ. Bathrooms will be available at the First Church if needed. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held downstairs in Bailey Hall at the First Church of Christ on the Green, which is located at 763 Longmeadow St. For more information on World Wide Knit in Public Day, visit www.wwkipday.com.