On Saturday, local knitters and crocheters have two opportunities to show their yarny pride: Worldwide Knit in Public Day (check out our post for project ideas) and International Yarn Bomb Day. WWKIP has been around for years (and is taking place at two different sites near us), but IYBD is new this year, and it needs you to make it a success!
What is yarn bombing? Simply put, it’s freeing some of your stitching to the world around you. Whether you tie a scarf around a tree or encase your entire fence in stitches, it’s a way to those around you know that there are knitters and crocheters in their midst. Many of us have known about yarn bombing for a while, but it went mainstream this year, as evinced by articles in The New York Times and on the Huffington Post.
Of course, the DC area is ahead of the curve in this as in all things: the Hard Times Cafe near fibre space had its horse yarn bombed last May. Though Alexandria was moving into summer heat, the sneaky folks behind the project decorated the “Horse with No Name” with scarves, ear muffs, and other woolly treats.
Want inspiration for your stitch graffiti? Check out this Pinterst board of yarn bombing worldwide, and check out Stitch London’s pattern for a Floating Flutterguy – they want people everywhere to knit one and release it in their city. He’s cute – he’s quick to make – and he can satisfy both WWKIP and IYBD requirements in one fell swoop! [Best of all, he’ll reduce your stash.]