Kirk Dunn

Kirk Dunn, an actor, writer and internationally renowned knitter, is fascinated by the many ways in which knitting can bring people together and help them see eye to eye.

In this multiplatform world, he uses original, out-of-the-box knitting and his unique perspective in a variety of ways.

  • As visual art to create conversation around interfaith empathy (see his installation, “Stitched Glass”) and homophobia

  • As the foundation for theatre that uses knitting to tackle anti-Semitism and Islamophobia (book his one-man show, “The Knitting Pilgrim,” or the upcoming WWII play “Spycraft” about a woman who spies on the Nazis by knitting code into ordinary garments)

  • Kirk hosts a podcast and digital series to enter into gentle, curious conversation with people of other faiths to understand their point of view (check out “The Knitting Pilgrim Talks” on YouTube or Spotify)

  • He designs patterns that feature an artist’s palette of rich colours (see his original patterns available on Ravelry)

  • Kirk gives workshops in improv on the needle, colourwork, and knitting and spirituality, to share the amazing transformation this humble craft can offer individuals and communities.

The Knitting Pilgrim

The Knitting Pilgrim, featuring actor and knitter Kirk Dunn, is a multidisciplinary one-man show that combines personal storytelling, image projection, and three huge knitted panels that look like stained glass windows, to explore the connection amongst the Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The play recounts Kirk’s fifteen-year artistic and spiritual journey of hand-knitting the ambitious project, and looks at why people struggle to get along today, the meaning of art, the hell of grant-writing and the power of love to overcome major obstacles (and minor mishaps).

The show, along with a Q&A/meet and greet immediately following the performance, which gives audiences a chance to come up on stage, see the panels up close and meet Kirk, is available for booking, nationally and internationally. Please use the contact page of this website to reach out.

To enjoy the positive media coverage of our 90+ past shows, please scroll below.

The Knitting Pilgrim 2025 Tour Dates

Ontario

British Columbia

United Kingdom

  • Friday, May 02, 7:30 PM, Portgordon Village Hall, Cross Street, Portgordon, Buckle, Moray, AB56 5QW, Scotland

  • Saturday, May 03, 7:30 PM, Braemar Village Hall, 33 Mar Road, Braemar, Aberdeenshire, AB35  5YL, Scotland

  • Sunday, May 04, 7:30 PM, MacRobert Memorial Hall, The Square, Tarland, Aberdeenshire, AB34 4YL, Scotland

  • Wednesday, May 06, 7:00 PM, Bradford Cathedral, 1 Stott Hill, Bradford, BD1 4EH, UK. Click HERE for tickets

    • Colour With Kirk Knitting Workshop, Thursday, May 08, 10:30 AM, Nelson Library, Market Square, Nelson, BB9 7PU UK

    • Colour With Kirk Knitting Workshop, Thursday, May 08, 2:00 PM, Colne Library, Market St, Colne, BB8 0AP UK

  • Friday, May 09, 7:00 PM, The Rainhall Centre, Rainhall Road, Barnoldswick, BB18 6HJ, UK

  • Saturday, May 10, 7:00 PM, Accrington Library, Accrington, BB5 1NQ, UK

  • Thursday, May 15, 7:30 PM, JW3, 341-351 Finchley Road, London, NW3 6ET, UK. Click HERE for tickets

  • Friday, May 16, 7:30 PM, Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, London, SE1 9DA, UK. Click HERE for tickets

Ontario

Media Coverage and Testimonials

Brian Carrol Tweet.JPG
“Kirk’s commitment to seeing this remarkable 15-year project through is outstanding. He has taken an accessible medium like knitting and not only placed it in the Museum, but used it to communicate ideas that can help repair our social fabric. And then to combine it with a piece of theatre - that is to truly create a unique offering. ”
— Nataley Nagy, Executive Director, Kelowna Art Gallery
“In the knitting world where grey and beige plain sweaters seem to rule, how extraordinary to find this energetic man knitting such detailed and intricate color. I applaud his moxie!”
— Kaffe Fassett, Textile Artist
“The Knitting Pilgrim is astounding and the opportunity to engage with it and Kirk’s amazing story-telling talent is a much needed balm for our age, for any age.”
— Peter Smith, Project & Creative Director, Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity
Toronto Fringe, Bloor St. United Church. Credit: Matthew Sarookanian

Toronto Fringe, Bloor St. United Church. Credit: Matthew Sarookanian

What Audiences Are Saying:

“This show was transformative. When something you looked at before you came in, you can see the exact same thing after you leave and it looks different to you, and you think differently about it, and you feel differently about it … That’s the mark of really, really, really exceptional theatre. When people ask me how this play was, I say I really cannot describe it to you: it is beyond description. I would give this 6 stars, if I could, out of 5. ”
— CFMU Hamilton Fringe Review
“A brilliant show that sticks with you, teaches you how to think, about faith, empathy resilience, and art. When doubt about your talent slips in and dogs your every step keep knitting. The end created a wonderful gasp and the tears begin to flow. This is a brilliant moving piece. ”
— Deb K.
“This is a wonderful, compelling, one-of-a-kind show! My favourite at the Fringe thus far. A “from-the-heart” tale of artistic creativity, religious tolerance, and the difficult beauty of finding your path. Went with my teenagers and we haven’t stopped talking about it since! ”
— Cynthia S.
“You should see this work in person at the Fringe while you can. For it is my belief that years from now, after the tapestries have finished touring as part of this show, and then have gone on to tours of major museums across the country ... that this work will rank among the great pieces of Canadian art, and indeed one of the great pieces of art in the world”
— Scott W.
“I couldn’t have said this better, Scott. I was truly shocked by how MOVING this show is, on many many levels. I couldn’t talk when the tapestries were revealed. They are stunning. I hope this show travels the world, and then comes back to Toronto where I will see it AGAIN.”
— Patti L.

STITCHED GLASS - THE DOCUMENTARY

This 30-minute documentary film by filmmakers Ian Daffern and Omar Majeed had its 2021 premiere at the International Festival of Films on Art, and was nominated for the Golden Sheaf award at the Yorkton Film Festival. Watch the trailer below.



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