Yarn Bombing Day – June 11, 2024

History
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate

Yarn Bombing Day is celebrated on June 11 each year. Yarn bombing, also known as yarn storming, is a style of street art that involves crocheting or knitting patterns onto a public structure or form, such as benches or trees. Yarn bombing is considered a manner of reclaiming and beautifying public spaces because yarn does not damage property as spray paint does. This unique art trend began in 2011, to take knitting and crochet beyond caps and clothing to contribute color and meaning to urban environments.

History of Yarn Bombing Day

Yarn bombing is thought to have started in the United States with Texas knitters looking for a creative way to use their leftover and incomplete knitting projects, but it has since spread throughout the world. “Bill Davenport may be termed the grand old man of Houston crocheted sculpture,” according to the Houston Press, who was creating and exhibiting crochet-covered items in Houston in the 1990s. In 2002, artist Shanon Schollian created stump cozies for clear cuts in Oregon. Magda Sayeg of Houston is credited with starting the yarn bombing phenomenon when she wrapped the door handle of her store in her boutique with a custom-made cozy yarn in 2005.

With the invention of the stitched tale the movement progressed from basic ‘cozies.’ Lauren O’Farrell of London, who started the city’s first graffiti knitting collective, Knit the City, is credited with the idea. The ‘Stitched story’ concept tells a story using handcrafted amigurumi creatures and characters. The Knit the City collective was also the first to adopt O’Farrell’s phrase yarn storming instead of yarnbombing to describe their graffiti knitting.

Yarn bombing has become increasingly popular around the world. In September 2011, the Collected Thread business in Oklahoma City yarn bombed the city’s Plaza District to commemorate its third anniversary. Yarnbombing Day was first observed on June 11, 2011, by Joann Matvichuk of Lethbridge, Alberta.

Yarn Bombing Day timeline

2005

The First Yarn Bomb

Magda Sayeg of Houston wraps the door handle of her store in her boutique with a custom-made yarn.

2009

Book Release

The book “Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti,” is released.

2010

Wall Street Bull

Artist Agata Oleksiak wraps the Wall Street Bull in meticulously sewn yarn.

2011

The First Celebration

Yarn Bombing Day is first observed on June 11by Joann Matvichuk of Lethbridge, Alberta.

Yarn Bombing Day FAQs

How long does yarn last?

Natural yarns biodegrade in as little as five months after being thrown.

Do you necessary authorization to yarn bomb?

You must get authorization to lay yarn bombs on public property, otherwise, it will all be for naught.

Is yarn bombing bad for trees?

Yes, yarn bombing can be harmful in certain circumstances.

Yarn Bombing Day Activities

Make your own yarn bombs
Take some yarn and a needle, and start knitting. Make some yarn bombs right now. Yarn bombing isn't limited to public constructions; you can yarn bomb anything in your own home. You may make covers for your phone, laptop, home, vehicles, and anything else you can think of.
Research famous yarn bombs
Another interesting way to commemorate International Yarn Bombing Day is to go online and look up some of the most famous yarn bombs that have occurred over the years. You'll witness some wonderful knitted artwork and learn about some very amazing stories and legends.
Start a yarn bomb project
Make a group yarn bomb project with all of your family members. Create some spectacular patterns with your friends, and bless your neighborhood with tons of color and fun. All you'll need is a few snacks, some good friends, and a lot of wool to have a good time!

5 Fun Facts About Yarn

Knitting relieves stress
Knitting or crocheting with cotton yarn helps to relieve stress and to burn calories.
The oldest yarn samples
The oldest-known fabric and yarn samples were discovered in Switzerland and are considered to be approximately 7,000 years old.
Yarn bombing is 1,000 years old
Yarn bombing is a hyper-local activity with roots in a thousand-year-old craft.
The oldest yarn graffiti artist
A 104-year-old great-grandmother, Grace Brett, was one of the most famous yarn bombers.
Knitting history is unclear
Knitting yarns degrade with time, making it difficult for archaeologists to identify how old this art form is.

Why We Love Yarn Bombing Day

Knitting fosters a sense of community
No knitter is an island, from knitting circles to local Stitch 'n Bitchs to Knitting Behind Bars. Knitting is a sociable activity that anyone can partake in. It fosters a sense of community while also providing a relaxing experience.
Knitting is a stress reliever
Knitting's repetitive and rhythmic motions make it a great stress reliever. Repetitive motions cause the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter linked to feelings of calm and well-being.
Knitting is nostalgic
Knitting brings back memories. It aids in the recall of persons who have taught us. Our mothers and grandmothers, relatives, and friends who sat with them as they taught us how to use needles and hooks, as well as a strand of yarn that miraculously transformed into something lovely!