The Wind Knitting Factory Demo
Watch a traditional Dutch knitting demonstration at Windmill Island Gardens in Holland.
Visiting Windmill Island Gardens this September? You're in for something truly special. Dutch designer Merel Karhof will be demonstrating her one-of-a-kind Wind Knitting Factory—a wind-powered machine that actually knits scarves as the blades turn. Karhof is traveling across the US to historic windmills and cultural sites, bringing this innovative creation that celebrates the shared windmill heritage between the Netherlands and America. You'll find her set up near De Zwaan windmill, where you can watch the three-foot diameter blades catch the wind and create beautifully crafted scarves in landscape-inspired colors.
This is a free demonstration included with regular park admission (Holland residents get in free with proof of residency). Families and anyone curious about creative engineering and cultural traditions will enjoy spending an afternoon here. Come anytime during the four-hour window and stay as long as you'd like to observe the process. It's a chance to see an artist at work and learn about a fascinating blend of traditional windmill engineering and contemporary textile design.