Mayor's stitch in time saves local knitting group's 'yarn bombing'
by JENNY MONROE
Mayor Paul Porter gets some knitting tips from Lorraine Yarr, from the 'Stitch 'n Bitch' group, when he called at their weekly session at Lisburn library. US311O-527cd
LISBURN'S Mayor has come to the rescue of a local knitting group who feared they were going to be stitched up after being refused permission to display their handiwork.
Cities across the world - including Lisburn's neighbour Belfast - are being bombarded this month with yarn in public places as part of a celebration of homegrown crafts. Lisburn's very own Stitch'n'Bitch group decided to get involved and add a splash of colour to the city with their knitting' but finding locations proved a problem.
All the landmarks they wanted to 'yarn bomb' were out of bounds.
But when the Mayor Alderman Paul Porter heard the local knitters were getting the needle he stepped in and organised Council permission for them to decorate the Cannon in Castle Gardens. Yarn Bombing sees yards of material draped over city centre landmarks to put a fresh spin on familiar locations.
A spokesperson for the group said: "We are really excited to get to bring Yarnbombing to Lisburn.
The cannon in Castle Gardens is a wonderful 3-d piece which has really fuelled our imagination, and we hope it inspires others to get their knitting needles out and spread some yarn."
The notion of 'yarn bombing' emerged in the US where knitters decided to
invent new ways of
using leftover material to add splashes of colour to their buiite
environment.
Speaking about the initiative Mr Porter' said: "I am pleased to be able to support this craft initiative and am eager to see the results of this novel activity as the group add a temporary splash of colour and interest with their skilful creations. As part of Craft NI's August Craft Month, this group are showcasing their talents by wrapping their handiwork around the cannon in Castle Gardens. "Yarn bombing is especially fitting given the history of the Linen Industry in Lisburn. I would like to thank everyone involved in this celenration of craft."
Ulster Star
13/08/2010
