The largest knitting event in the South West was held at Tregenna Castle, St Ives on Friday 13 October 2006 in aid of the RNLI for National Knitting Week. Speed knitting World Record attempt The event included a satellite link up with London's Knitting and Stitch show at Alexandra Palace in which speed knitting champion Frances Jago took her place in the national heats of the knitting world championships.
 | | Frances Jago and Johnny Rutherford |
Frances couldn't face leaving her beloved Cornwall to compete in London so the satellite link was set up so she could compete. She knitted 250 stitches in just three minutes and the current World record is 255 stitches in three minutes. Once this is confirmed and verified she will be the fastest knitter in the country. Frances will then go on to represent the UK in the World Championships held in the USA in early 2007. The day's events The day's events also included Dave Nicoll, RNLI area fundraising manager donning his lifesaving gear and crocheting with boat hooks.
 | | Julia and the largest knitting needles |
A 'fleece to garment' competition or 'Sheep to Shoulder' took place with The Guild of Cornish Spinners and Knitters going head to head with the Guild of Scottish Spinners and Knitters. The fleece was carded, spun and knitted to a specific design. The Scots won this event for the second year running. A Guinness World record attempt at knitting with the largest ever knitting needles took place and the needles, measuring 3.5 metres high by 6.5 centimetres diameter, knitted 10 stitches, 10 rows and cast off. This has been sent to the Guinness Book of Records for verification. Organiser Julia Hopson from 'Knit Wits' in Penzance said: "The event went really well it's a shame we didn't beat the Scots but we will next year. There were three schools there who we taught to knit and hopefully we managed to get the next generation involved and hooked on knitting. "It was great fun and a fantastic day, seeing such ancient skills such as spinning being transmitted via latest technologies like satellite. " The event raised £350 for the RNLI but raffle tickets are still available via the Knit Wits shop in Penzance. | 
