And then suddenly, the great white shark plunged from the sky, head-first into the roof of the house. Nobody was hurt (apart from the poor shark), but several local residents wondered privately whether it was time they cut back on their drug use. Look!
OK, if you’ve lived in or near Oxford in the UK, you probably already know about the Headington Shark, but I hadn’t seen it for maybe a decade until I happened to be in east Oxford the other day. It’s been there for years (30 years, actually: there are qualified professionals who are considerably younger than that shark). The first time I came across it as a shy young student in the early 1990s was a happy surprise because I didn’t know beforehand that it existed. Then, as now, I loved finding quirky, surreal, and creative touches in the most unexpected places.
Yarn-bombing most definitely falls into that category. It’s hard not to smile when you happen upon an unexpected patch of colour. Personally, I think our village yarn-bomber (no, it’s not me) should be paid a regular stipend by the parish council. Here’s some of her work.:-
It’s been a while since I yarn-bombed our own house, but the post is here if you’re interested. It was fun:-
Reflecting on all this as I inch around the crochet/knitted garden of that project, I wonder whether I could include some miniature yarn-bombing as well, or is that just getting too silly?
Anyway, whilst we’re on the subject of knitting, take a look at this:-
Is this – the garter stitch section at least – the worst knitting you’ve ever seen? Those unintended yarnovers! That complete lack of consistent gauge! Want to know what idiot knitted that swatch? Me. Yup, that hairy mess is all my own work. Because it seems that whilst I can knit drunk, or in the bath, or whilst out walking, or in the dark, I cannot knit without looking whilst lying on my back having sharp needles repeatedly poked into the area around my eyes*. I have officially reached my knitting limit. On the plus side, I coped much better this time with knitting than I did last time without: further evidence of the benefits of knitting.
- Permanent eyeliner tattooing, in case you’re wondering. Not the sort of thing I’d usually do – I haven’t even had a haircut in over a year – but think of all the knitting time it’ll free up!
Ouch!
Yup. Ouch indeed. I’m an idiot, really.
To live in England again – ! When I was there in the mid-80s, the knitting and crocheting market was still geared towards the “older” people. I want o get back over there just to see these yarns bombs!!!
Yes, the knitting market is so much more interesting and diverse, now. Gone are the days when yarn shops sold little more than pastel-coloured acrylics. We don’t have a monopoly on yarn-bombing, though. Is there none near you? (If not, you need to become your local yarn-bomber!) Where in England did you live?
Oh how i love your blogs! You make me chuckle every time. Keep them coming xx Thanks
Aww thank you for such generous words. You’re very kind. I’m trying to keep ’em coming!
Permanent eyeliner…how fabulously glamorous. You’ve got me wandering about my own personal crochet limit now!!
Ha ha, nobody who knows me would call me glamorous! This plan was motivated by pure laziness.
As for personal crochet limit, I’m sure yours is far more extreme than mine – I’m a wimp!
I have always loved the shark at Headington, good to see he/she is still there. Permanent eye liner sounds incredibly painful! Yes to include yarn bombing in your project!
Yup, shark very much intact, although the house itself is looking quite shabby.
This just makes me smile!
Excellent – my work here is done!
(Also, thank you. 🙂 )
I don’t know…those holes add character. I am guessing your new eyeliner adds character as well. I have a mate who designs tattoos. I am sure she will do you a good deal for your full back tat. Just sayin’…
I really DO have a mate who designs tattoos. She asked me if I would allow her to use Earl as a model for a tattoo she is designing for someone who runs an animal shelter in the U.S. who wants one. Earl is dead chuffed. I am thinking I might get her to design me a “shark through the roof” tattoo. One day some poor sucker is going to have to see my aging derriere and as embarrassing as that moment will be, I could implement something right now that will break the ice and diffuse that embarrassment 😉
Ha ha ha! And I do like your forward-thinking, there.
Oh, and Earl is a handsome boy, so I’m not surprised.