Yarn bombing, a new kind of street graffiti

Fiber artists go underground to mix wool and whimsy

By Elizabeth Vassolo
Published: September 14th, 2009 | 10:45am

Yarn bombing, the task of attaching yarn tags to unsuspecting objects, is an underground fiber art movement popping up throughout the world that is one part whimsy and one part renegade. Mandy Moore and Leanne Prain have chronicled this form of street graffiti in their new book, Yarn Bombing The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti.

Groups who treasure their anonymity with names such as Incogknito from England, the Ladies Fancywork Society from Colorado, and Stickkontakt from Sweden, create yarn cozies of various sizes, colors and patterns that adorn everyday objects like street signs, door handles, and trees.

They sneak around town, usually at night or as dawn breaks, dressed inconspicuously with tapestry needles in hand to attach their work to the unsuspecting urban environment. Some groups leave calling cards that include their Web site, so whoever finds the tag can track the group’s pieces. The tags may be removed quickly or may stay attached for years. That is part of the drama and excitement – once a tag is placed, no one knows its future.

Yarn graffiti allows artists to create street art without damaging property. It can easily be removed and is not illegal. Moore and Prain also say that yarn bombing, like traditional graffiti, can be used as a submissive form of communication.

Knitting and crocheting by its very nature is a form of expression. It is a creative outlet to make things that are useful or just beautiful and a way to give the gift of knit to others. So taking to the streets as yarn bombers do is a seemingly natural progression for fiber crafters.

And quite frankly, it’s cute and clever. It brings a smile to those who see it. Imagine walking along and seeing a tree trunk wrapped in a band of colorful yarn. It is like a sweet little hug. Or while touring a big city, seeing statues in the town square wearing knit caps. These items, left secretly behind by a conscientious bomber, give an unexpected splash of color and personality to an otherwise concrete experience.

Moore and Prain give the reader step-by-step instructions on forming a graffiti group. They also provide plenty of patterns for tags and accessories for the tagger, like bike gloves to wear for a fast getaway, a hat and scarf combo for ultimate head coverage, and a tagging tool kit cuff to keep the tools of the trade secure and within reach. Interviews with yarn graffiti group members round out each chapter.

The best part of this is that even the newest needle worker can join the movement to make and share a touchable piece of art for their neighborhood.

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ABOUT THE BOOK

Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti (Arsenal Pulp Press)
By Mandy Moore and Leanne Prain
232 pages
$19.95