“One philosophy of yarn bombing is that it’s stealthy, like graffiti,” says Elizabeth Schell, one of the owners of Purl’s Yarn Emporium. That shop is sponsoring a yarn bombing installation on Wall Street that includes knit pieces affixed to lamp posts, trees, parking meters, park benches and one vintage bicycle.
The yarn bombing celebrates the Craft fair of the Southern Highlands, (which runs at the US Cellular Center today through Sunday, Oct. 19) and the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair (held at the WNC Agricultrural Center Oct. 24-26). Plus, says fiber artist Judy Jetson, “The leaves are falling and the trees are getting cold.”
Jetson is part of a yarn bombing group based in Weaverville. Members of that collective along with about a dozen knitters and crafters from Purl’s joined efforts to fashion the knit pieces installed on Wall Street. Schell hopes the work will remain up for two weeks and that pieces can be saved and added to for an even larger yarn bombing next year.
The bicycle, owned by Purl’s, features a crocheted bird on its handlebar. Schell says that the winged creature was not made by anyone from her store — it just appeared about two weeks ago. “We got a letter last week, from the bird,” or, rather, his mysterious maker, she says. “[The bird’s] name is Orville and he’s from Ohio. … I love that about Asheville.”
