Outlaw Knitters Invade City

In case you missed it as I did, June 9, 2012 was World Wide Knit in Public day this year. I just learned about this phenomenon on the day it was occuring and am now notified so I can look forward to it again next year and maybe even organize a KIP (Knit In Public) day myself, or maybe I'll just knit in public on a few more days than one this year.  :-)

World Wide Knit in Public Day began small in 2005 with about 25 local events around the world. The brainchild of Danielle Landes the day is marked as the second Saturday of June each year and began as a way for knitters to come together and enjoy each other's company as well as promoting the art/craft of knitting, demonstrating to everyone that it's 'not only grannies who knit!' In 2008 there were over 200 Knit in Public events.(Wikipedia)

Currently, a fascinating artistry has begun to occur around Knit In Public Day - often referred to as International Yarn Day which is really a week long. Creative people working in string have 'Yarn Bombed' with enthusiasm. What is the world is yarn bombing? It's a kind of 'non-invasive' graffiti that does no damage but is a creative and colorful art form meant to add beauty and cause people to think differently about city objects.

 

Ishknits on Yarn Bombing

Here are some great images of "yarn bombed" objects.

Yarnbus in Mexico by Magda Sayeg of Knitta Please (Nov 2008)

From buses to bridges, museum facades, bike racks and very small cuffs around street pole signs (covering street signs is not encouraged for obvious reasons), street artists have been creating some very interesting pieces that place them in the world of Art rather than Graffiti. For example artist, Magda Sayeg of the bus design above has had her art displayed in museum galleries and was commissioned by the online handmade giant Etsy to make cozies for the air conditioning ducting of the Etsy brick and mortar shop.

How about this rethink of the traditional English Phone Box.

You can read the whole story about this amazing Phonebox Cozy at Knit the City .

And I simply love this tree sweater by Carol Hummel

Following up on International Knit in Public day, Joann Matvichuk from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, thought that a day honoring the art of the Yarn Bomb would be a great addition in helping to make people more aware of fiber art. The first official International Yarn Bombing Day or IYBD (which is actually a week long) was June 11, 2011.

Here is a gate decorated in a lovely way by Kaths Kreations.

You can almost see where this yarn bomb appears.

 

Eighty feet of bike rack in front of the Berkley Library was installed by the artist Streetcolor who writes a fascinating blog about her work.

Certainly not your grandmother's handknit washcloth or sweater these artists have elevated an old craft to a new level in street art. A little rebellious perhaps must mostly very artful. If you want to follow up, there is even a book called Yarn Bombing by Mandy Moore and Leanne Prain that fully discusses philosophy (non-damaging and temporary), has "patterns" and how-tos, and a full description and pattern for the yarn bomber tool-kit. Plus you may even want to join Incogknito their international yarn bombing crew.

So until next time then, put on your guerilla makeup, load your needles, and stitch. :-)