Yarnbombing

I just love yarnbombing! It is a great way to bring joy, colour and of course yarn to the wider World and, quite frankly, is cool.

As I've been browsing Pinterest (I spend way too much time on there) I've found lots of images of yarnbombing and have narrowed them down to my 5 favourites.

One of the most infamous Guerilla Knitting groups is Knit the City. Their yarn bombed phone box is awesome.

During the 2012 Olympic Games, a mystery knitter produced this fantastic yarnbombing in Saltburn-by-the-Sea. 

These pretty flowers attached to fencing really brighten up the area.

What can I say about these yarn bombed steps in Finland? The cathedral steps where covered in 7800 crocheted blankets which where then donated to shelters. 

And finally, I couldn't resist this Tardis post! 

WHY YARNBOMBING?

There is a reason I've become slightly obsessed with yarnbombing. I've been asked to organise some for the upcoming Christmas Artisan Market taking place in Wigan in December. Of course, I jumped at the chance when asked and have already started to get community groups involved as I'd like it to be a real 'people's art' installation. Being a practical crafter, I couldn't just yarnbomb then take it down so I've been in touch with local homeless charity, The Brick, and all large pieces will be washed and turned into blankets and scarves while garlands and decorations will be used to decorate the room where the Christmas meal is served. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP?

I'm looking for lots of help to not only make the yarnbombing eye catching and a real spectacle but also to ensure that there are plenty if pieces to donate to The Brick at the end of it all.  

I need:

Garlands off pom poms, stars and other Christmas themed items approximately 1m long

Large rectangles measuring approximately 1m x 50cm and 1m x 30cm

Any other festive items to attach to the top of bollards and hang from trees.

Donations can be sent to myself - email me at thegingerbreadbunny@hotmail.co.uk for my postal address.

Off the Needles - Doggy Blanket

This is the first in what is going to be a long line of posts about items, of many different crafty natures, that I have finished.  I have borrowed the Knitmore Girls term 'off the needles' as I think it is fab!  I am aware that as late I have not been too 'on the ball' about updating my blog and so here I am remedying that.


The first item I want to share is my most recent completed project - the doggy blanket for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.  I have been knitting this as park of the KAL hosted by Plutoniummuffin.  I finished it last week and hopefully it has arrived or will do in the next few days.  The pattern was very easy to follow and I just love the little raised paw prints you get - so cute.

This is the first 'non-scarf' project I have made and I really enjoyed the knitting part.  Sewing 25 squares together and weaving in the ends - not so much but I kept going because it was for the doggys!

If you want to know more about the blanket and how you can knit your own blanket for BDCH click here for the blogpost!

Doggy Blankets

On Sunday I answered a plea.  A plea for help.  A plea for support.  This plea came from the lovely Plutoniummuffin who wanted kind knitters to join her in knitting blankets for the abandoned and mis-treated dogs rescued by Battersea Cats and Dogs Home in London.  This was a plea that, as an animal lover and supporter of animal rescue charities, I had to answer.

Some of the dogs who arrive at BCDH find kennel life stressful, may be ill or need an operation and are taken in by foster carers whilst they recover. The blanket is part of a 'doggy bag' which they take to their foster home to comfort them and then, when they are rehomed, they take this with them to ease the transition - what an amazing idea. 

I have been meaning to do for a while, and I downloaded the pattern a few months ago, but never got round to starting it.  This was the kick up the bum I needed to get it done and so I replied and joined the Knit A-Long (KAL).

Plutoniummuffin was very excited and you can see her reaction here on her blog. 

I chose my yarn, DK acrylic, in purple, lilac, royal blue, turquoise and yellow and retrieved my funky purple 4mm needles and started knitting those squares. 

The pattern, written by the wonderful Deadly Knitshade of 'The Scarf of Doom' fame, is entertaining (as always) and very easy to follow.  I have completed 5 squares so far in royal blue and I love the patterns for the paw prints - so cute! 

There is still time to join the KAL and to show your support for the dogs at Battersea Cats and Dogs Home (they are always wanting blankets so even if you can't join us now, you could add it to your queue for a future date!)  Links to the pattern, Plutoniummuffin and the Ravelry group are below.  What are you waiting for?  Get knitting!

Plutoniummuffin Blog,
@plutoniummuffinTwitter
Battersea Cats and Dogs Home
Blanket pattern on BCDH website
Blanket Pattern on Ravelry
Ravelry Knit A-Long Group

Keeping the troops warm!

Sometime in October I answered the crafty call of Louise from Caithness Craft Collective (check out her fabulous podcast if you haven't already done so) to put my crochet to good use; making hats for the troops in Afghanistan.  This project had been born by a lovely lady on the Isle of Man, who, if I have my information right, is related to someone currently serving out in Afghanistan. 

So I got out my hook and my yarn and began to make my hat.  I posted it to the Isle of Man and, feeling rather pleased with my efforts and with a slightly more shiny halo than usual, forgot about it!  I had done my bit.

Fast forward to 2 weeks ago now and the arrival of a bluey (a letter used by the armed forces to send mail overseas) through my door.  Mr Bunny was at home that day and text me, rather worriedly I think, to say this bluey had arrived.  I spent most of the day wondering who it could be from.  Once I got home I discovered that this particular letter was from one of the soldiers who has received our hats thanking us for making them. 

How lovely is that?  I didn't expect anything but to receive anything but to know that our efforts are appreciated is amazing.  It reminded me of the importance of saying thank you when someone does something for you and, if a soldier serving out in Afghanistan can say thank you then I definitley can!