Prince Harry’s Antics

Do you remember the phantom knitter who did the Olympic yarn bombing in Saltburn?  (If not, you can read more here.)  As it turns out, it’s actually a group of knitters calling themselves “Darn Crazy.”  Their latest installation, gathering all kinds of publicity, is a Prince Harry doll.  The knit likeness poses, protecting his modesty, in exactly the same way which was displayed on the Sun Magazine Cover. 

The members of Darn Crazy wish to remain anonymous; in fact that they joke that their identities are as closely guarded as the crown jewels.  They have, however, provided photos and a statement to local journalist, Mike Morrissey:

“We’re delighted with the imaginative and amusing coverage given… Many satisfying hours of secret planning and knitting have paid off with the many visitors also enjoying our work. We’re happy to share some of the photos we took for our own pleasure while maintaining the anonymity of yarnstorming.”

To the members of Darn Crazy: I love what you’re doing, and will continue to follow.

To Prince Harry:  Try to remember that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.

Hello World

“Hello World” says this little house in Seattle.  On Fifteenth Avenue East, atop Capitol Hill, sits this yarny wonder.  The owner’s of Ada’s Technical Books asked artist Luke Haynes to yarn bomb their new address to announce that they would be opening up shop in the neighborhood.

The Puget Sound Business Journal reports that Haynes engaged friends on Facebook, and encouraged people walking by to get involved in the installation.  About 30 people helped to make the various knit and crochet quilts that were stitched and stapled together around the house.  They used acrylic yarn to help ensure it would stand up well to the elements during the next few months that it is supposed to be in place.

“The yarn bombing is ostensibly sort of the hands of the community holding up the building façade, in a lot of ways,” the artist said. “Because, all of the (pieces) were handmade, and all of the articles were made by people in the Seattle area. It’s kind of like the community coming together to beautify itself.”

They made what?!?

Women in Ottawa are trying to make a point with politicians: stop trying to legislate reproductive rights. Members of Womanspace in Lethbridge are leading a brigade, and asking people to crochet or knit copies of women’s reproductive organs to be sent to Parliament as part of a nationwide protest.

They are handing out pattern, setting up knit and crochet sessions in local pubs, and collecting finished works for distribution.  These will be sent to Parliament at the end of August as part of a national movement on Facebook called Womb Swarm Parliament — Textile Artists United Against Motion M-312.  “People do different colours, but pink has been the dominant colour for the obvious reasons. But it’s also a little bit funny to be sending a pink uterus to a male member of Parliament who wouldn’t feel comfortable holding one,” said Womanspace spokeswoman Jenn Prosser.

Prosser believes that the movement has been so successful because it creates community among the supporters.  “This is a way that they can participate that’s meaningful, but still on their own terms, without necessarily having to go out and put their face in front of someone else’s face in more of an aggressive manner.”  Motion M-312 will be voted on during the upcoming fall session.

Pattern links: knit or crochet

Bus Yarnstorming

Reykjavik celebrated Culture Night on August 18.  Visitors come from all over Iceland to help celebrate local art and culture.  So many people attend that the festival offers free bus rides in order to relieve traffic congestion at the city center.

To help celebrate, the Reykjavík Underground Yarnstormers were asked to yarnbomb a bus.  The team was given six weeks to prepare, had 30 people knitting and crocheting, and then 20 people putting the wonderful installation together.  The results were amazing!

For more information and photos of the event, you visit the team’s blog here:  Bus Yarnstorming

S.O.C.K.

Yeserday, the UK’s Coleraine Times reported on a covert yarn bombing group called S.O.C.K.  The Secret Outdoor Crochet and Knitting group is thought to be responsible for this pink tree.

According to the Times, concerned residents called on the authorities to track down these crafty yarn bombers:

• “They might think they can pull the wool over our eyes, but this is no laughing matter.”
• “Other people might be in stitches about this yarn bomb attack, but I’m feeling pretty needled about the whole thing.”
• “The material evidence is there so the police need to get this case sewn up now.”

Whoever is responsible, I think it’s lovely.

Who’s Afraid?

Who’s Afraid is a ten-foot-tall, bronze sculpture by artist Paul Dibble. The likeness of a graceful dancer faces a giant New Zealand tuatara outside the Regent on Broadway. As of August 21, the young lady is now wearing leggins, haltar top, cap, and scarf.

The members of Woolly Riot were definitely not afraid to take credit for the creative yarn bombing. They admitted to two months of planning in order to dress the ballerina for the remainder of winter.  Click HERE to see a video of the installation.

Awesome work!  I always love a good pair of leg warmers…

Stitch ‘n Bitch

What do you like to do? All the time people ask about hobbies, but when you answer that you’re a knitter, their response is usually silence. Why don’t people find this interesting? How come yarn isn’t as conversation-worthy as running or playing tennis?

In the 1960’s and 1970’s feminists rejected knitting and other crafts because of their historical link to women. They tried to forge a new identity by setting themselves apart from these kinds of traditions. For many years following this, it became the hobby of old people.

More recently, we’ve seen something of a knitting resurgence. In 1999, Debbie Stoller started the first Stitch ‘n Bitch in New York, and in 2003 she published “Stitch ‘n Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook.” By 2004, there were spin-off groups in Chicago and Los Angeles. Today, there are more than 1,300 Stitch ‘n Bitch groups around the globe.

Knitting is “something that women have traditionally done and I went on a mission to take it back,” says Stoller in a recent interview with BBC. It is a difficult craft to master, and it has played a significant role in society. She goes on to say that “In the same way that fishing is not just about getting something to eat, knitting is not just about making something to wear.”

Well Debbie, I happen to agree.  Of Course until society realizes what we YARN-A-HOLICS already have,  people are most welcome to stop by here to ‘bitch’.

Using Yarn to Help the Homeless

Mission Australia is a community service organization that provides more than 550 community and employment services that help over 300,000 Australians a year. Their current campaign, entitled Share Your Warmth This Winter, seeks to provide support for homeless people and families.

What does this have to do with yarn? Staff from Independent Schools Victoria (ISV) are yarn bombing the message. Pictured above is one of the installations in West Melbourne.  This bench cover is emblazoned with a human silhouette to remind passers-by of the problem with homelessness; it can also provide a warm place for someone to sleep.

What an intersting way to get the message across.

Free Willy …or Lolita

Lolita is a killer whale. Also known by her Coast Salish name, Tokitae, she is the only survivor of seven endangered southern resident killer whales captured in 1970 off Whidbey Island. Since then, she’s been living at the Miami Seaquarium.

The Orca Network is currently leading a campaign to retire Lolita, remove her from her small performance pool in Miami, and return her to a net pen in her home waters. This would allow her to hear the voices of her family. To date, the aquarium owners have not agreed.

Tara Melendez, a knitting pattern designer and Orca Network supporter, has designed the pattern for the above mittens which depict Lolita.  People wearing the mittens will help to raise awareness.   “This pattern is my tribute to her tremendous spirit and the hope that, one day, she may be reunited with her family,” says Melendez. 

Do you want to help?  Here’s how:

1. Buy a pair of mittens from the Orca Network.  Proceeds go toward the Lolita/Tokitae campaign.
2. Download the pattern from Ravelry, and knit yourself a pair of Lolita mittens. 
3. Knit another pair of mittens, and donate them to the Orca Network to be sold as part of the fundraiser.

Fibrations: A Fiber Art Festival

Victoria BC’s grassroots fiber arts festival is this Sunday.  FIBRATIONS takes place in the St. Ann’s Academy Orchard, 635 Humboldt Street, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Fifty different fiber artists will gather to sell their products, talk shop with enthusiasts and fellow practitioners, and give demonstrations of their processes.  Niche food vendors will also be on site, including one favorite who makes chocolate knitting needles and crochet hooks.

What makes this festival special?  It was created by volunteers, and focuses on keeping the cost low so that participation can be high.  In order to present, vendors must only donate a $35 item to the raffle.  Patrons buy raffle tickets for $2 a piece, and the money collected pays for the event.

Should you find yourself near Victoria on Sunday, this is a must-see for the YARN-A-HOLIC.