"Granted tne Fiber Art Now Yarn Bombing Grant in early 2021, Valerie Sherman envisions her yarn-bombing installation in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago as an opportunity for residents to engage as a community and show their pride. Bronzeville, in South Chicago, is a hitorically black neighborhood that is undergoing a renasissance and gaining recognition for its regrowth and renewal." (Fiber Art Now magazine) She is embarking on a project that will involve other crocheters and knitters for a yarn bombing collaboration; and the grant will help her purchase yarn for he local crafters to make pieces for the installation. It is important that the community feels that this is truly their project," say Sherman.
When Valerie moved to the South Loop of Chicago in 2018, she began noticing "squiggly" bike racks around her neighborhood. As a crocheter since childhood, she couldn't help but think that crochet could add a touch of "weird" with color to them and to many of the trees she walked by.
When Covid hit during the last year, she found that as she continued to "bomb" many things, it was a way of connecting with other people while still being restricted in many ways. "My neighbors started noticing my work which I call 'yarn bombing'. Besides beautifying local neighborhoods, my focus has added fostering connections through yarn crafts." she explained in the Winter 2021 issue of Fiber Art Now magazine."
Valerie has also taught knitting at Chicago's Cook County jail for 5 years. She uses her yarn bombing to raise funds in support of social justice, PRIDE month and Black Lives Matter. Big congratulations,Valerie; and we will look forward to seeing the results of your important collaboration!
The book, Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti, published in 2009 by Mandy Moore and Leanne Prain tells the story of Magda Sayeg, the Mother of Yarn Bombing. The Founder of the renegade knit graffiti crew, Knitta Please, did her first yarnbombing in 2005, when on a slow day at her boutique, she created a yarn cozy for the handle of her shop. The rest is history; and it is beautifully curated in this book with fantastic photos from around the world ranging from the petite to the extreme!
Many members of the Crochet Guild of America also got on board the yarn bombing train early as a way to tout their love of crochet and to create awareness of its versatility.
Here is some bombing I have done:
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