Last week, when I was alerted about a new kind of "yarn bombing" taking place in Libertyville, Illinois, I was sure my good friend, Susan Lutz Kenyon and her Crocheters of the Lakes chapter of the Crochet Guild of America were behind it. Susan is a charter CGOA member and has been a loyal member since 1994. Her contributions, both nationally and locally, are too numerous to mention her but very much appreciated.
I was right about Susan's involvement. She and several chapter members were involved in installing their crochet squares on the trees and other members contributed many squares. Proud as I am of everything CGOA and its members do; it is always exciting to me when outside entities decide to focus on crochet for for a good cause, recognizing its beauty and versatility! In this case the town of Libertyville wanted something eye-catching to promote their Fine Arts Month in March. Two women, both named Beth, were the coordinators.
"A cheerful and visible, multi-generational community art project that has given a launch to Libertyville Fine Arts Month!" according to Beth McKenna in an article by Denys Buckstein in the Chicago Tribune Pioneer Press, January 15, 2018. McKenna, along with another Beth (Schrag) were event coordinators for what they called Wrapped in Yarn-Libertyville: Coloring Day. This installation created a gallery of large sleeves on street trees on February 24th. There were many warm hearts and chilly hands that cold winter day, so hot chocolate and desserts were provided by sponsors!
While meeting at the Adler Music and Arts Center for many weeks, approximately 100 volunteers from different groups crocheted & knitted twelve-hundred 8-inch squares; enough to wrap forty-four trees in downtown Libertyville. As the hub of the arts culture in Libertyville, The Adler Center was the perfect venue to bring together the talented makers who worked together using acrylic yarns in the bright colors of red, yellow, green and purple for the greatest impact.
Approved by the City Council and sponsored by the Adler Center, this community art project received many of the squares from residents of Senior Centers, members of the Crocheters of the Lakes chapter and many friends. Together, they created much excitement along Milwaukee Avenue and in Cook Park.
The colorful installation should remain in excellent condition until the tear down on April 7 due to the use of the sturdy acrylic yarns. The memories will live on, though, through the "yarn-stormings" planned for the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6-9 PM at the Adler Center. So many loved the experience during the yarn wrapping that they will focus on crochet and knitting and teaching others who want to learn these craft skills.
For further information on these sessions check the community art project website or Facebook.
Photos courtesy Susan Lutz Kenyon and Wrapped in Yarn-Libertyville.
I was right about Susan's involvement. She and several chapter members were involved in installing their crochet squares on the trees and other members contributed many squares. Proud as I am of everything CGOA and its members do; it is always exciting to me when outside entities decide to focus on crochet for for a good cause, recognizing its beauty and versatility! In this case the town of Libertyville wanted something eye-catching to promote their Fine Arts Month in March. Two women, both named Beth, were the coordinators.
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| The two Beths |
"A cheerful and visible, multi-generational community art project that has given a launch to Libertyville Fine Arts Month!" according to Beth McKenna in an article by Denys Buckstein in the Chicago Tribune Pioneer Press, January 15, 2018. McKenna, along with another Beth (Schrag) were event coordinators for what they called Wrapped in Yarn-Libertyville: Coloring Day. This installation created a gallery of large sleeves on street trees on February 24th. There were many warm hearts and chilly hands that cold winter day, so hot chocolate and desserts were provided by sponsors!
While meeting at the Adler Music and Arts Center for many weeks, approximately 100 volunteers from different groups crocheted & knitted twelve-hundred 8-inch squares; enough to wrap forty-four trees in downtown Libertyville. As the hub of the arts culture in Libertyville, The Adler Center was the perfect venue to bring together the talented makers who worked together using acrylic yarns in the bright colors of red, yellow, green and purple for the greatest impact.
Approved by the City Council and sponsored by the Adler Center, this community art project received many of the squares from residents of Senior Centers, members of the Crocheters of the Lakes chapter and many friends. Together, they created much excitement along Milwaukee Avenue and in Cook Park.
The colorful installation should remain in excellent condition until the tear down on April 7 due to the use of the sturdy acrylic yarns. The memories will live on, though, through the "yarn-stormings" planned for the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6-9 PM at the Adler Center. So many loved the experience during the yarn wrapping that they will focus on crochet and knitting and teaching others who want to learn these craft skills.
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| Young Tree-hugger |
Photos courtesy Susan Lutz Kenyon and Wrapped in Yarn-Libertyville.
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