Yarn bombing has taken the knitting world by storm over the last few years, so much so that there is now an official Yarn Bombing Day. Here’s all you need to know about knitting graffiti, and how you can get involved in this year’s event.
What Is Yarn Bombing?
Yarn bombing – also known as yarnstorming or even guerrilla knitting – is the practice of adding knitted works of art to public places. For example, a yarn bomber might create a colourful design and wrap it around a tree or a lamppost.
The guerrilla art movement took off a few years ago, and its aim is to take knitting and crochet beyond hats and clothes and to add colour and meaning to urban locations.
It is not about vandalising or marking territory like standard graffiti. Instead, it is used to convey meaning and create a sense of belonging in those who encounter it, as well as drawing attention to something that most people ignore.
When Is International Yarn Bombing Day?
The first International Yarn Bombing Day took place on 11th June 2011. This year’s event takes place today.
Check Out Some Amazing Yarn Bombing
Yarn Bombing is all about being creative and fun. From bollards to bridges, below are some of the interesting yarn bombs we have seen over the years:
- See how Southwell in Nottinghamshire was yarn-bombed in 2017
- Watch the yarn-bombing of Whitchurch Bridge in May 2017
- See what a 104-year-old yarn-bomber did in Selkirk along with the Souter Stormers yarn-bombing group
How to Join In This Year
Yarn bombing is all amount making urban environments more beautiful, and the best way to get involved is to create your own work of knitted art.
Find a tree, lamppost or dull looking park bench or bus stop, and find a way to make it more interesting. Make your own statement, or simply bring life and colour to somewhere lacking in these attributes.
You could even set about making something useful. Why not patch up a broken fence with your work of art?
Get Your Wool Out!
There is still time to join in the fun for this year’s International Yarn Bombing Day. But remember that you don’t have to create your work of art for the day itself. You can get involved at any time of year and simply use this year’s International Yarn Bombing Day as inspiration.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get knitting.
Image credit here: http://mentalfloss.com/article/77154/10-impressive-yarnbombing-projects