Decorating the City with Crochet
By Rachel Choi – 15 CommentsHere is something eye catching and interesting that I came across the other day. There is a group of women in Denver that are crocheting things and hanging them in public places. Here is the video for more details!
At first I thought that crochet everywhere would be the most pretty thing ever just thinking about walking around town and seeing crochet. But them I realized, it probably isn’t legal, and not fair for people who aren’t big crochet fans. Right now I don’t know what to think.
What do you think?
It’s very interesting. Thank you for sharing.
I think it is cute, but I would check the laws before I did something like that. I wouldn’t want anything on my criminal record, even if it was some minor infraction.
I think the ladies are fun. I wouldn’t mind seeing an entire city crocheted, but being a crocheter, I’m quite biased. If it was a different art form, I would feel differently, I’m sure.
I think it’s an awesome idea! With everything else that gets put up around cities (handbills, litter, and of course grafitti), who would complain?!?
It looks like they are putting their items in an “artsy” part of town where the patrons are likely to appreciate them and not call it littering. It wouldn’t work just anywhere.
hey now i know what do to with bits of yarn, thanks for sharing this. Our church benches outside NEED to be pretty.
I think it is kind of neat but a little immature. Stop throwing away your crochet and crochet for charity. Crochet afghans for the homeless. Something other than wasting your time and money on something that could land you in jail.
What fun – and whimsy. Can we get the pattern for the great crochet mask? Very fancy…
What interesting comments everyone! Thanks for sharing your ideas, it’s always fun reading about what others think 🙂
That would be a fun mask to crochet Mary!
I know that these ladies are having fun, but in this economic time, wouldn’t it be more useful to donate to those in need? there are many many wonderful charity groups and as one of these ladies said, she doesn’t have to have all these things laying around her house! Since the items will either be taken down or destroyed by weather, why not give to someone who could truly appreciate the warmth and help of items that they can use for a long time. I donate to a charity and the feeling is wonderful and very satisfying. Just think that this project is somewhat of a waste during these hard times.
I agree that donating your work would be more useful too! 🙂
Technically, it’s probably against the law. But it’s one of those things: who is going to enforce it? And picking up people for putting up crochet? Probably any cop would roll his or her eyes.
Maybe there’s the spice of doing something covert that is the lure to do it, but if you really wanted to plaster the town with crochet, I wonder how many store fronts might welcome a cosy around the bar handle to their In or Out door? For telephone poles and benches, probably need to talk to City Hall.
In my city–Louisville Kentucky–there is a city project to continue to spruce up the appearance of the town, called Operation: Brightside. They concentrate on landscaping in public places. If a bevy of needlecrafters approached the mayor with such a project, I do wonder if it might go over better than people suspect?
To clarify–I wonder, if you asked businesses for permission to crochet things to decorate their storefronts, perhaps they might be more willing to allow it than not.
People do like to be asked.
You make some good points Virginia! I think many people would say yes, just because you give them the courtesy of asking first. But if they say no, I’m sure they’ll have a good reason for it.
well that put a huge smile on my face and whilst being ‘graffetti’ its easier removed than the spray paints n posters… I thought it was different and quite funky they’ve got some guts doing it i’m a scardy cat hahahaha my crochet stays in my house lol haven’t even had guts to give it to others yet hahahaaha
Hmm, there are some good points here.
I’ve yet to see anyone offended by crochet. In this particular instance I fall back on the old saying “easier to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.”
It’s environmentally harmless, easily removeable. If someone doesn’t like it, let ’em tear it down. Would you ask permission before giving someone a gift? If they don’t like it that’s what gift receipts are for 😉
Public art can be a gift to the world. It can also be an effective method of communication and I personally think these ladies are making a very gentle but assertive statement in softening the cityscape.
I agree with Red on this one. In addition, when thinking about donating items to charity, depending upon where the work is, a person in need of warmth or color could just take the work down and use it. My understanding is that many yarnbombing groups understand that this might happen and even leave “gifts” as a random act of kindness! I have used my old crappy crochet gone wrong on trees and it has made BEAUTIFUL public art. We didn’t get in trouble, people loved it, AND they took it down to use/sell/whatever. To me, that’s a win-win-win.