The Community Yarn Garden

Chain link fence is a reality in most urban landscapes. Practical and cost effective, it’s the most common material used to fence schoolyards and public parks. Unfortunately, chain link fence is bland and unattractive, providing little aesthetic value to a neighbourhood.  The idea of beautifying the chain link fence surrounding W.E. Graham Park behind Ecole Victoria School on 12th Street and Dufferin was inspired by “The Flower Garden Fence” created by the Ladies Fancywork Society in Denver, Colorado.

When I decided to decorate the fence using yarn, I knew I’d need something weather resistant if I wanted my creations to have staying power.  I decided to use Phentex yarn. Made of synthetic fibres, Phentex is known for its strength, colourfastness and resistance to staining, mildew and sunlight.  I owe a debt of gratitude to the Cote/Rawlyk family who provided me with two large boxes of Phentex yarn for this project!

Here's my loyal yarn bomb team affixing the flowers to the fence with small zip ties.

Many of the flower patterns I used are found in Lesley Standfield's books 100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet and 75 Birds, Butterflies & little beasts to knit and crochet.  I also used the carnation, gerbera daisy and pansy patterns from the ODDknit website, and a pattern for a large five petal flower that you can find here.

My hope is that others will add their own creations to the fence!  I put out an open invitation to anyone who would like to craft a flower, plant, bug or little critter to add to the garden.  I would love to see how much of this fence we are able cover!

Yarn bombing at The Night Oven Bakery

When my friends Bryn Rawlyk and Beth Cote opened The Night Oven Bakery a couple of months ago, I wanted to send a congratulatory message to acknowledge the culmination of all their hard work.  As a fibre artist, I set out to say it with yarn!

For a street pole adjacent to the bakery, I took inspiration from The Night Oven's logo that was created by Ben Lamothe, and knit a crescent moon. For the block letters, I used the free patterns you can find here.

I decided the parking lot could use some colour so I also knit covers for the cement post and drainpipe. The result is a tapestry of the colourful collections of acrylic yarn that I have inherited from various friends, relatives and neighbours. Some of it has even been recycled from my last yarn bombing project, demonstrating the resilience of that good old acrylic!

                    

            

I had a great team that helped me do all of the installation. Armed with darning needles, a ladder, staple gun and zip ties, we got the job done.

      

Now take my advice and head over to The Night Oven Bakery, check out the installation, buy an amazing loaf of bread and treat yourself to a croissant and a latte!