Sunday, February 6, 2011

How a Knit Graffiti "artist" was born. . .

Once upon a time there was a lonely tree root which jutted across a footpath leading to the Nelson Hospital grounds. Before long, a knitter stumbled upon this tree root and the "Health and Safety Officer" lurking deep within her decided "Something must be done!"

First that knitter thought to spray the tree root with fluorescent paint. Next she contemplated tying luminous warning tape to the root. Finally, she decided to get out her knitting needles and crochet hook to accompany some of the ghastliest yarn she possessed in deepest, darkest stash, in order to knit and crochet the root some recognition!!

Using two strands of yarn held together, that knitter knit a big floppy caterpillar body to wrap around the tree root. Then summoning all her long-neglected crochet skills she crocheted all around a tennis ball and lastly embroidered on some eyes and and a nose plus a big happy smile to make a goofy caterpillar head, complete with knitted antennae! The next weekend, in blazing Nelson sunshine and temps in the late 20s she deftly sewed the emerging caterpillar into place around the offending tree root and thus a Knit Graffiti artist was born.

That knitter was me, and this is the caterpillar that started it all on 5th February 2011, when the caterpillar was stitched into place and the newly formed Knit Graffiti "artist" emerged from her cocoon, still wet behind the ears and unaccustomed to flexing her wings. . .

Seems kind of fitting that my first piece of knit graffiti was a caterpillar and there's a whole "emergence/life cycle/re-birth/new-from-old" vibe going on. But it wasn't planned that way, it was simply that the root seemed to be begging to become a caterpillar and what else could I do but oblige?!

Watch this space. . . I think I'm hooked!!

PS Comments most welcome :)

12 comments:

  1. Love it :) Will it be ok in the rain??

    Lots of love,
    Your little sis
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. You are hillariously creative!!!!! Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a lovely idea, I will be watching this space.....

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks :) I am having great fun with this idea - my mind is racing thinking of what I can add a little yarnification to next! I came up with the "word" yarnification after thinking about a neologism to mean "beautification with yarn" - it works for me, anyway!

    Laura, yes it should be relatively durable in the rain as it is 100% acrylic yarn so it shouldn't bio-degrade or fade at all. The caterpillar's head got a bit droopy after a few days but I did some running repairs and he is looking spiffing again, head held high!

    ReplyDelete
  5. LOVE! And I'm sure your grade A stash is happy knowing that the back of the closet stash will be moving on out to better things (and making more room for the yummies to sprawl).

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think that you are very clever! Have you heard any comments about it?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nothing on the general hospital grapevine, but it didn't take long for my departmental work colleagues to work out "who dunnit?!" All comments very positive, they are calling me the Yarn Fairy!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Can't wait to see what else you come up with :)
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Let us hope it doesn't find itself a mate and starts producing lots more roots which stick out to catch the unwary .... or just plain asleep among you! However I must admit I appreciate your originality. Keep up the good work!! Love Mum xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Now what did we name that little critter?? Oh well .. 'Little Rooter' will just have to do! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Naughty, naughty Lulu.
    Nice work Kate. It spices up our workplace!! Your knitter friend at work.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Glad you like the Yarnification!! Today the hospital, tomorrow the city! Keep your eyes peeled ;-)

    ReplyDelete