Utopirama: Yarn Bombing (The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti)…

Utopirama time again! This feature is where I share with you books that are almost certain to inspire a sense of warm fuzziness in the cockles of your heart.  Today I have a bit of a subversive choice, but it made us all smile and has engendered within us a new sense of happiness related to the possibility of secretly beautifying dowdy places.  I give you….

Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti

by Mandy Moore and Leanne Prain

Quick Overview:

Yarn Bombing, for those who don’t know, is the art of attaching crocheted or knitted pieces to random objects in the real world.  A car antenna, a neglected sign post, even the cold top of a lonely bollard – all of these are perfect locations for yarn bombing.  This book takes the uninitiated through the process of yarn-bombing from its inception in the mid-2000s in Texas.  It includes the history of yarn bombing, the philosophy of a wide range of yarn bombers and lays out a step-by-step guide for those intrepid crafters who know just the place for an injection of whimsical craft (and/or political statement).

I stumbled upon this book while browsing in the craft section (for Mad Martha, obviously) of my local library.  I only discovered yarn-bombing earlier this year and all of the shelf-dwellers immediately fell in love with the whole idea of non-permanent, aesthetically pleasing graffiti that is designed (in most cases) simply to uplift the spirits of all those whose eye falls upon it.  If you are unfamiliar with yarn-bombing and what it might look like, here are some instances…click on the image for the link.

The book contains a bunch of patterns for pieces and also for clothing to wear while yarn bombing, as well as interviews with prominent yarn bombers from around the world.  And it’s just beautiful to look at too.

Utopian Themes:

 Crafting positivity

Urban beautification

Whimsical imagery

International co-operation

Protective Bubble-o-meter

   

Four protective bubbles for the unexpected joy of spotting granny squares in the urban wild

Mad Martha even got in on the trend after being inspired by this book.  Here’s a little piece she made for the tree outside our dwelling.  It’s not much, but it’s a start towards Utopia in craft.

Until next time,

Bruce