Local yarn bombing

Local yarn bombing

I couldn't resist the chance of continuing where I left off with my last post on yarn bombing.  This time I am proudly inspired by South Africa.

Isabeau Joubert is an art director, designer, crocheter and blogger by day and a yarn bomber by night.  It is clear that she is a doer of many things based in Cape Town, South Africa.  Virgin Active approached Joubert to yarn bomb the city as part of their Leg warmer Love campaign.  The first yarn graffiti project was done outside the Biscuit Mill in Woodstock.  A grand total of 24 leg warmers was made and made a huge impression on passersby. 

YARN BOMBING

I recently came across this exquisite work and had to share my colourful energy about the existence of the art of yarn bombing.  Yarn bombing, yarnstorming and guerilla knitting is a type of street art that employs colourful displays of knitted or crocheted yarn or fibre rather than the obvious paint or chalk as seen in graffiti.  As I researched the new term recently added to my vocabulary, I came across some important key concepts that link directly with the term up-cycling.  It is said that yarn bombing began in Texas by knitters who wanted to creatively use the leftover bits and pieces from finished projects.  Yarn bombing was initially almost exclusively about reclaiming and personalizing sterile or cold public places.  It has since developed with groups graffiti knitting and crocheting worldwide.

These photos come from all over the world as the practice has gone global.

Up-cycling: a passing fad?

Most of us are aware of specific trends that come and go when observing happenings all around us.  It is clearly visible in everyday life when noticing the colours around us, specific fashion labels and textiles, even the products we interact with on a daily basis.  Could up-cycling be regarded as a trend which will eventually pass by and maybe return in yet another form some day?

Knowing that Dion Chang is a good trend analyst I quote some of the insights he revealed on this exact question.  Up-cycling is going to grow as the stronger trend against recycling due to its potentially lower carbon footprint and people will want to associate themselves more and more 
with it.

Up-cycling has it's own symbol now which is a green twisted 
arrow that points upwards.

Personally I am still struggling to wrap my head around the thought of up-cycling existing as a trend. People must become more aware of how finite our resources are and while remembering this why not explore some innovative ideas regarding up-cycling.

According to Chang South Africa is a very resourceful society so we almost have an advantage with regards to the up-cycling trend. A few local Up-cyclers include Heath Nash who has really made a mark in terms of eco-design and the other are the guys from Magpie who make huge chandeliers from literally garbage.

Stay inspired and wear confidence with consciousness!

Pardon the absence

I kept busy for some time now with an interesting take on project up-cycling.  This project include a dress made out of labels found on all kinds of garments, including my own and some of generous friends and family.  Evidently I became aware of the absence of the phrase made in South Africa, although I found a few that reads made in South Africa from imported fabric.

I was pleasantly surprised by the way in which this new garment - made from those annoying little pieces of fabric which you only read once if ever unsure about the specific washing instructions -  turned out.  

 

Be inspired by your surroundings and put some extraordinary textiles together and be sure of a pleasant surprise adding some winter warmness to the day.