Happy Yarn-Storming Day one and all!
It’s one of our favourite days in the handicraft calendar; a day in which an explosion of colour – from neon pink to fluorescent yellow – sets the world ablaze in a totally unique form of street art. From the most banal everyday objects in public spaces, to trees and transport, kniffiti or yarn-bombing is taking the world by storm.
Thought to have originated in Texas USA by clothes-shop owner Magda Sayeg, yarn-storming began as an effort in warming up bare, unloved environments. Sayeg started by simply knitting a cosy for her door handle, and soon progressed to wrapping the public stop-sign outside of her shop. The rest they say is history. In the few years since, the street-art craze has swept the globe, with countries such as Germany, Italy and the UK all joining in and reclaiming public spaces in their wake.
The yarn or fibre doesn’t necessarily have to wrap around an object, and it can be knitted, crocheted or simply cross-stitched. Tiny knitted creatures, from aliens to dolls, strategically perched or all strung up in a tangled web, can be used to decorate objects or even jazz up cracked pavements.
The artists tend to be a bit Banksy-esque in their identity, and often keep incognito. We do however love the duo Knit The City who comprise of “The Deadly Knitshade” and “The Fastener” and Juliana Santacruz Herrera‘s work.
Below are a few examples of some of our favourites:
Knitted Stairs. photo cred Magda Sayeg – Art and About Sydney 2011
Decorated Potholes in Paris – Juliana Santacruz Herrera
Be careful however, as installing without permission can be considered as graffiti and illegal. The art is usually considered temporary and if need be can be taken down. Knit at your own peril 😉