Yarn bombing is a form of street art, almost like graffiti, only sweeter and less criminal. Knitters use yarn bombing to make a statement and draw attention to everyday objects that usually go unnoticed. They do this by covering lamp posts, trees, even statues with decorative knitted material.
Whether you want to do your own yarn bomb or simply start your own knitting journey, The Foundry Works sell a wide range of hand-dyed yarns and knitting accessories to fulfil all of your knitting needs.
Where Did Yarn Bombing Begin?
Yarn bombing began in the United States in the early 2000s. Magda Sayeg was the first to yarn bomb her shop doorknob, putting a sweet little cosy over it. This received a lot of attention from the public, which influenced Magda to start yarn bombing other objects in her town. She recognised how people started to notice things that they hadn’t before.
Since Magda began the trend, yarn bombing has become increasingly popular worldwide.
The Best Bombs
There have been many crazy yarn bombs all over the world, for all different reasons, some peaceful protests and some artistic expressions. Here are the top four yarn bombs worldwide.
- In Dresden, Germany, political yarn bombing included wrapping an entire tank in front of a military museum in decorative yarn.
- In London, UK, an entire bus was yarn bombed.
- In New York, at Christmas, a billboard was created entirely out of yarn for an advert for Miller Lite Beer.
- In the USA, the side of the bridge was yarn bombed by the artist Andy Warhol.
Is Yarn Bombing Illegal?
It is very unlikely to be prosecuted for yarn bombing as it is different to graffiti, being non-permanent and easy to remove.
Graffiti destroys the landscape, whereas yarn bombing positively transforms it.
Creating Your Own Yarn Bomb
Yarn bombing is something anyone can do. It’s also a great way to raise money for charity.
If you’re part of the knitting community or you just fancy making a statement, why not yarn bomb something in your town? But – make sure you get permission from the relevant authorities first, if not, all your hard work could be for nothing as it is likely to be removed.
Follow these five steps to help you achieve a successful yarn bomb.
- Plan
What object would you like to yarn bomb in your town? The possibilities are endless; however, you do need to think about safety – don’t block any signs.
It’s best to start off small. You can always move onto bigger objects when you’re more confident. Maybe start off by yarn bombing a small object in your home for practice.
- Measure the Object
So, now you know where you’re putting the yarn, measure the object. This is important so you can make sure you knit enough material.
- The Theme
Are you doing this for charity? If so, what charity? If it’s for breast cancer, you could create the pink ribbon. If it’s not for raising money – think about what you could do to attract attention and brighten up your town.
- Allow Yourself Plenty of Time
Don’t rush the process, yarn bombs can take a while to create depending on the object you’re covering. It’s all about time and patience.
- Post on Social Media
Once completed, post a picture of your yarn bomb on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and any other social media site. Let people know why you’ve made it. Social media is a great way to raise awareness. People may even visit your yarn bomb from different towns!
Wrap Up
So, now you know what it is, you can start to create your own street art.
Happy yarn bombing!