Yarning Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti - Mandy Moore and Leanne Prain

In the area where I live yarn bombing is becoming quite popular. Fences, bike racks, poles, parking meters and trees are all being decorated by yarn graffiti. It has even come to the attention of the local newspaper. Being an occasional knitter, and having some extra time up my sleeve the idea of beautifying the council with knitted handiwork is appealing.

Yarn Bombing by Mandy Moore and Leanne Prain is just what I need to get some inspiration and get started. Like regular paint graffiti, yarn graffiti has different purposes from activism, to tagging and decoration and this book gives lots of examples of these purposes. The book includes interviews with prolific yarn bombers, their reasons for engaging in yarn art and their styles of graffiti.

For me the most important part is how to get a crew together and take my yarn into the street. There is a chapter on how to decide on patterns, measuring your tagging targets, attaching your yarn and what to do if you are caught! Although patterns and tags differ depending on your target the book gives loads of patterns. There are patterns for basic rectangular tags for those new to knitting/crocheting or new to yarn graffiti and they progress to master tagging patterns such as hanging shoes (as seen on the cover) to mushrooms and elf stockings.

The book is full of colourful photographic examples of yarn graffiti to inspire creativity and appreciation of this art form and I can't wait to get started.
8/10