Every morning was foggy during our three days in Mértola this week, and so there were no stunning Alentejo sunrises for me. However the early morning skies over the rooftops were still dramatic.
And to my delight just around the corner from our accommodation I discovered a street full of yarn bombed trees. The fog was soon forgotten (partly because it was lifting!) as I went from tree to tree.
Yarn bombing apparently started in Texas earlier this century, although it wasn’t until about 10 years ago that it became the worldwide phenomena it is today. There are mixed views about the impact of tying crochet and knitting to trees, with some expressing concern it is environmentally unfriendly. However these knots didn’t look as though they were tied tightly, so can’t imagine these are restricting growth or the sap rising.
I’ve not been able to discover who is behind this wonderful display in Mértola, although I did spot a few painted signs at the bottom of some of the trees indicating that different parishes or areas within the district had produced them. This would make sense as many of the villages to the north and west of Mértola were once renowned for their lace making, their blankets and woven carpets, so crochet designs would be a breeze for them. Whoever created it though I am grateful as it certainly brought a smile to my face on a foggy morning. I am also in awe of their talent,; a pom pom is the most I can manage!
If you are after even more splendid creations than these then there are plenty to be found. For the last few years in Vila Nova de Cerveira, in the far far north of Portugal there has been a yarn bombing festival every summer. There they cover whole houses in crochet. If you are in the vicinity between July and September do visit as it looks incredible. If though you are not planning on heading that far north this summer then there are other towns in Portugal which have crochet movements, and also quite a few in England, Just look at this Yorkshire delight discovered by Restless Jo last year.
PS Did you notice my title? This is a Six Word Saturday; to discover more Saturday delights visit Debbie at Travel Intent. Some may have even stuck to six words unlike me!
So much work has gone into this, I love it!
I was amazed as every time I thought I’d photographed the last tree there was another one ahead!
This is fun and lighthearted. There is a big event in Warwick in south-east Queensland every year in July, mid-winter for us and it includes yarn bombing in a major way. I’m hoping we get to visit this year.
Ooh I hope you do too, be amazing to see through your eyes/lens 😁
Always nice to see a little extra colour, Becky. A kind statement if ever there was one.
Definitely 😊
Great catch. Gotta keep those tree crouches crochet covered 😂😂
There’s been yarn bombs around Berkeley California for a few years now.
hee hee love the thought of keep the crouches covered!!
I can imagine Berkeley covered in crochet and knits – is it done as art or political statements?
Brilliant! That is fantastic yarn bombing, Becky. I love finding it, but it is often rather half-hearted – this is wonderful. And your foggy morning was beautiful too.
oh I am so glad you like 🙂 MrB gave up on me and found a bench to sit on as I was taking so many photographs!!
Those are pretty! I’ve seen lots of instances of yarn bombing, but not on that scale, usually just individual trees or fences. I hadn’t even thought of it harming trees, so I am glad to read that the consensus is it doesn’t.
oh I am glad you like them too, and yes I am so relieved that everyone agrees there is no harm, was beginning to feel quite upset!
Such a wonderful surprise, Becky!
it really was 🙂
I noticed yarn bombing in Alcantarilha about 18 months ago . . .
oh how fabulous, on trees or buildings?
I love to see yarn bombing. I hadn’t realised it was political – it just seems joyful. My sweetheart can be pretty fierce about maintaining tree health and he doesn’t seem troubled by it.
I have not seen any political ones yet, like you I have just seen the joyful ones 🙂
and really good to know your sweetheart doesn’t think they bother the trees, I was feeling worried when I read some feel it is harmful.
Excellent Becky. Yarn bombing has been in Australia for more than 10 years. Gotta watch out for the Knitting Nanas an environmental protest group who just sit and knit in protest ares or in front of politicians offices 😀 😀
Ah well maybe it started in Australia not Texas 😊, wish I could knit so I could become a Knitting Nana (well aunt at moment!!)
How to get going Becky 🙂
https://knitting-nannas.com/
Yarn bombing isn’t easy to discover. How about a bloke doing it first
“The movements origins are up for debate. Bill Davenport gets early credit for yarn bombing’s beginnings. The Houston-based artist began creating and exhibiting crochet-covered objects around his home city back in the 1990s”
Now part of the feminist movement?
“yarn bombing has become synonymous with the current feminist movement due in part to the reclamation of a traditionally feminine act (i.e. knitting and/or crocheting) to partake in the traditionally masculine and male-dominated graffiti scene”
There you go 🙂
As Texas still wins out then on the origins!
Guess so although San Fransisco may argue
hee hee!!