Art with a Needle ~ Week 47
There are a hundred and one excuses for having no personal work to show you today, and I know you do not want to hear them. For a change I will tell you a story…..
About half a dozen years ago, an elderly aunt decided she would travel to Belfast by train and meet me for lunch before returning home in the evening. The day was bright warm and sunny and we sauntered about the town when we had eaten our fill. My aunt suggested walking to Central Station to catch the Dublin train.
As we walked, I shared with her the news that I had a new man in my life. Suddenly with great interest my aunt subjected me to a cross examination more suitable to the Laganside Courthouse that we were than passing.
I was able to tell her that this man was not very tall, mature with his eye well focused on the way ahead. She seemed pleased.
“Where did you meet him?” she enquired.
“Here in Belfast.” I told her adding “In fact I may have the opportunity to introduce you, if we quicken our step!” Soon she was tottering on her heels bubbling with excitement at the prospect of meeting my new beau.
“There he is!” I declared as we crossed the street from the Courthouse to the front of the Waterfront hall.
“Where? Where?” she asked.
Suddenly her face clouded as I pointed to the sculpture of the Shepherd walking his sheep to market!
Sheep on the Road 1991 by Deborah Brown at the Entrance to Waterfront Hall, Lanyon Place, Belfast.
These sheep will look a little different during the days of August. Why? Because they will be “yarn bombed”
Photo by: Moochin Photoman,
A group of skilled knitters will take to the streets during August to wrap their creations around public property like trees, street signs and lamp posts, covering the streets of Belfast in woollen ‘tags’.
Now I need to charge up some batteries and dust off the camera!
nick said,
July 21, 2010 at 9:36 am
Yarn bombing? That sounds fun. I must look out for the woolly adornments! I might even find the new woman in my life. Oh, hang on, I have one already.
steph said,
July 21, 2010 at 10:44 am
You’re a terrible tease, Grannymar
I love the concept of yarn bombing. Great way to make people smile!
Maynard said,
July 21, 2010 at 12:40 pm
You can “yarn bomb” your friends, we could use a new sweater.
How about it Rummy?
Grannymar said,
July 21, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Nick - You be careful in Belfast next month, you never know what might be hiding under a rug!
Steph - The day I stop teasing… I’ll be dead!
Maynard - Is that a sweater dress you want?
wisewebwoman said,
July 21, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Great idea! as a knitter I just love it!
XO
WWW
Grannymar said,
July 21, 2010 at 3:34 pm
WWW - It should be colourful.
Rummuser said,
July 21, 2010 at 3:46 pm
What is the reason or superstition or whatever behind this yarn bombing? The practice is very intriguing.
I am game Mayo, but our lady would like us to become sheep for her to oblige us with sweaters. Are you game for that?
Grannymar said,
July 21, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Ramana - It is a form of promotion for a Festival of Crafts during the month of August.
Maynard said,
July 21, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Rummy we have “mutton” to lose.
Baino said,
July 21, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Haha lovely idea but shouldn’t they be yarn bombed in Winter? I have a friend in Perth who knits socks for poles, no not people from Poland but telegraph poles, bus stop poles. Strange street art in deed but it brightens the place up.
bikehikebabe said,
July 21, 2010 at 10:51 pm
I have a lot of yarn bombs that I did a long time ago. I even did argyle socks–crazy me.
kenju said,
July 22, 2010 at 12:55 am
What a great idea!!! I’d love to see them all.
Grannymar said,
July 22, 2010 at 11:09 am
Baino - I think we will have socks on poles too!
BHB - I saw a company on the net the other day selling argyle socks for kitchen chairs and stools!
Judy - I hope to get to Belfast with the camera at some stage and take some photos.
Brighid said,
July 23, 2010 at 2:37 pm
This was great, what a fun idea. I knit, but mostly premie hats for the hospital.
Alice said,
July 23, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Amusing anecdotal bordering on public interest stories accompanied by photographs is just as artistic an endeavor to me. I love it. Now I would like to knit or crochet something for the sculptures here in SLC.
Grannymar said,
July 23, 2010 at 10:32 pm
Brighid - A very worthy cause.
Alice - You could make patchwork socks!