things to do :: yarn bombing

photo credit: olivia ruth photography

Join Leanne Prain and Mandy Moore, co-authors of the book Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti, as they invite knitters and crocheters to help cover the historic Joy Kogawa cherry tree in hundreds of knitted blossoms.

Joy Kogawa is a Canadian author (born 1935) and the Joy Kogawa house is a cultural and historic reminder of the expropriation of property that all Canadians of Japanese decent experienced after the bombing of Pearl Harbour. In 2006, the house was purchased by The Land Conservancy of BC and established as a place where writers could live and work. While in residence, writers would work to enrich the literary community around them and foster an appreciation for Canadian writing.

Here's some information from the press release:
Knitters and crocheters are invited to drop by and make pink cherry blossoms to help cover this historic tree, whose story is told in Joy Kogawa's Naomi's Tree, a picture book about friendship. Crafters of all levels are welcome to attend these FREE events.

Join one of these two community knit-ins at the Historic Joy Kogawa House, 1450 64th Avenue between 2:00 pm to 3:30pm on:

• Sunday, January 23rd, 2011
• Saturday, February 5th, 2011

Or help to stitch all the cherry blossoms into place at Historic Joy Kogawa House between 2:00 pm to 3:30pm on:

• Sunday, March 6th, 2011

Leanne and Mandy will entertain stitchers with daring tales of yarn bombing feats from around the world, books will be avaialble for sale and signing, and refreshments will be served. Yarn and needles will be provided; however, donations of pink yarn are appreciated!

Can't make it to the event? Mail in your knitted or crocheted cherry blossoms to be added to the tree, as follows:

Historic Joy Kogawa House

1450 W. 64th Avenue

Vancouver BC   V6P 2N4

Or drop your blossoms in the covered bin you'll find down the steps from the sidewalk in front of the house at 1450 West 64th Avenue. Submissions will be accepted until March 1, 2011. All cherry blossoms should be made out of pink yarn.