Yarn Bombing?
A new worldwide craze has knitters and crocheters adorning city objects—lamp posts, fire hydrants, statues, bike racks and the like in knitted apparel. Produced in workshops mostly on knitting machines, then fitted stealthily during darkness, these creations, ranging from leg warmers to car covers, has been dubbed a “feminine” form of graffiti. (This in itself is a bit sexist, as many men knit.)
The garments fray within a few weeks, disintegrate, leaving bits of yarn for birds to build nests.
As a knitter, I’m baffled.
Why make something—and these projects aren’t your “make in an hour TV slippers”—that doesn’t last?
Sure I make sweaters and blankets for babies that outgrow them; and sweaters for myself that go out of style. Baby items are passed down to another child and I bring my old things to Goodwill. Someone might enjoy it!
My sister has recycled old sweaters by boiling them up so they shrink, creating “felted “wool, and has made new sweaters by sewing pieces together. I’ve seen puppets and stuffed animals made the same way.
I’m all for public art. My town has a rotating sculpture display. While I might not like everything, I like seeing art in unexpected places. I love the painted deer, bears, and cows that some towns sponsor, often as a contest or for fund-raising, providing artists opportunities to showcase their talents.
Many charities are devoted to knitting for hospitals and the military.
Surely the expertise and imagination of these handcrafters could be put to better use. Inanimate objects don’t need warmth; pre-mature babies and soldiers do.
