Bombing leaves a yarn trail in town

The library was captured in a web last week.

A perplexing sight greeted residents on Friday afternoon, as a string of art pieces, landmarks and stair railings around town were found covered by colorful knitted and crocheted bits of yarn.

This wasn’t the work of any normal vandal, however, as the Quilt and Textile Museum was quick to take credit for the “yarn-bombing.”

Known in some circles as knitfitti, yarn bombing is a global phenomenon occurring as far away as Eastern Europe.

In La Conner’s case, Amy Green, executive director of the Quilt and Textile Museum, as well as the organizer for the event, hoped that her crew of knitters would highlight an underappreciated aspect of La Conner arts culture.

“We did it because we really wanted to bring attention to the vibrant fiber-arts community here,” said Green, pointing out that the fabric artists in the region are extremely active, with 83 quilting guilds in the state and even more fiber arts-focused organizations.

Green also hopes that the bombing helps serve as a transition point, as the museum plans to focus more on the general fiber arts community.

“The board has a commitment to an increased focus on all the fiber arts,” she noted.

The museum already has plans to carry out the event next year and hopes to get the word out faster to build a more dedicated and well-prepared team of volunteers.

At the beginning of next year, the non-profit hopes to begin planning another bombing, starting early, so that they can develop larger and more elaborate pieces.

Mayor Ramon Hayes, who gave his approval for the event, reiterated the marketing value of the bombing and its importance in creating publicity for a part of the community many might not be aware of. “We look for opportunities like this,” he said, “events that are going to market the town, or are going to market the quilt museum, perhaps finding an interest for folks who may not have even considered quilting before.”

The town’s new yarn decor seems to have garnered approval from passersby.

“I like it,” said Eve Klein, a second-time visitor who had stopped to admire the resplendent blue sweater and green quilt wrapped around the Dirty Biter sculpture in the S. First Street park, named for the town’s most notorious pooch.

“I come from Portland, where weird things are always happening, and I think it fits, and I really appreciate it,” Klein said.

When asked about the “guerilla knitters” of several years ago, who went by the nom de guerres “tree-sweater” and “cahoots,” Green said she had no knowledge of any covert knitting operations prior but extended an invitation to those who may have been involved.

“Whoever those guerilla bombers were, I’d love to have them get in touch, maybe come join us for the next time.”