Yarn Bombing - Activism and Social Statements in Yarn

Yarn Bombed Trees in the Castle Crown Wilderness Area: http://stopcastlelogging.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/castle-yarn-bombing/

Have you ever heard of yarn-bombing? It's graffiti made out of yarn - either knitted or crocheted. Sometimes it's created simply to beautify an area, sometimes to make a social statement, sometimes as a protest, and sometimes as a tribute or memorial.

I love the idea of using yarn to decorate public spaces, and to make social and political statements. It's fresh, original, creative, light-hearted, eye-catching, and non-violent. The recent yarn-bombing of the Castle Crown Wilderness area (pictured above - this is a beautiful and ecologically important wilderness area in South Western Alberta, where I spent 2 summers doing research on hummingbird behaviour; it's one of my very favourite places) reminded me of this neat phenomenon, that I wanted to share with you.

Here is another fantastic picture that I love, of a Yarn Bomb of the famous Wall Street Bull:

(from Knit Spirit: http://knitspirit.tumblr.com/post/2496039589/wall-street-bull-warms-up-with-custom-crochet)

Here are a few other Yarn-Bombing examples and websites that I like:

The YarnBombing blog - tonnes of great pictures of projects from all over.
I think this blogger is based in Vancouver - gotta love the Canadian connection :)
http://yarnbombing.com/

A recent Yarn Bombing protest against the logging in the Castle Crown Wilderness Area
(a beautiful and ecologically important wilderness area in South Western Alberta, where I spent 2 summers doing research on hummingbird behaviour):
http://stopcastlelogging.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/castle-yarn-bombing/

A famous yarn-bomber in LA calls herself "Captain Hook" (love it!). She makes outfits for public statues in LA:
http://www.npr.org/2011/04/25/135705721/crochet-vandals-do-graffiti-like-your-grandma
You can watch her and her accomplice in action in this video:
http://vimeo.com/22832301

Last year Yarn-bomers from all over Canada made cherry blossoms which were used to decorate the historic home of Japanese-Canadian Author, Joy Kogawa:
http://yarnbombing.com/category/historic-joy-kogawa-house

Art Installation  - 99 Trees in Austin
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/99-yarn-bombed-trees-by-knitta-142211
I also love the pseudonym of the artist - KnittaPlease :)

There is even a book on Yarn-bombing. It's something of a How-to for folks who want to give it a try.
http://www.arsenalpulp.com/bookinfo.php?index=294


Apparently there is also an International Yarn Bombing Day - this year it is on June 11, 2012. Maybe I'll participate this year...