I left my yarn in San Francisco
In case you all didn’t know, this Saturday, June 11 is International Yarn Bombing Day, as well as the start of Worldwide Knit in Public Week (11th – 19th)!
Unfamiliar with Yarn Bombing? Here is a fine example of what can be done with needles and hooks, a lot of patience and some tenacity, courtesy of an East Bay yarn artist Streetcolor:
Berkeley Bike Rack Yarn Bomb by Streetcolor, 2011
To prepare for this festive occasion, I have been scooting around my San Francisco neighborhood, maniacally measuring circumfrences of things. This afternoon, as I was hugging a concrete pole with my measuring tape, I had the ultimate lightbulb-brain flash to share my measurements with others who may want to participate in the yarn bombing fun this Saturday!
So here are my findings. Please keep in mind that these are specifically San Francisco measurements and may not be relevant to your home town.
(Inches listed are circumfrences only)
CITY STREETS
Standard bike rack / sign post: 7.5″
Metal street or traffic light: 23.5″
Concrete street or traffic light: 27″
Regular traffic light: 17″
Street sign post: 11″
GOLDEN GATE PARK
Park bench slats: 10″ each
GGP map sign legs: 10″ each
Stairway railing: 6″
De Young Bike Rack: 7.5″
Lamp posts: 31″
There you have it, just a small sampling of what’s out there in SF, ready and waiting for your yarn. If you’re like me, you already have spare scraps or swatches that come close to some of those dimensions or you can probably whip something up pretty quickly. You could even make it in public — it is WWKIP Day after all!
Remember to bring some extra yarn, a crochet hook (or two), yarn needle, a pair of scissors and — if there are any left in the world — a trusted buddy. Most importantly, relax and have fun… the chances you’ll actually be arrested are pretty damn slim. Don’t get me wrong: I wouldn’t put it past “The Man” to request its immediate removal (it’s definitely coming down sometime anyway), or at the very worst issue a vandalism fine, but passersby are usually more intrigued than outraged when they do come across a yarn bomb in progress.
And you know what? Grandmas are even doing it. So please, get over that whole “Not Your Granny’s Crafts” bullshit already, get out there and put some yarn on things!!!
Croshame 
Thanks for all the measurements – And I so agree about the ” not your grannies knitting ” nonsense .So insulting to everyone and boring ! Streetcolor
June 11, 2011 at 4:21 pm
HELLO! You are so welcome and thanks for stopping by! I hope your day was prosperous… 🙂
June 11, 2011 at 5:47 pm
great!
June 20, 2011 at 4:06 am
Hi there…Any group yarn bombing events coming up in the Bay Area that you know about or are planning?
June 24, 2011 at 8:23 am
No, I’m afraid I am out of the loop on that sort of thing… but I will keep you informed if I hear of any!
June 24, 2011 at 10:19 am
Thanks so much for putting our video up about Luisa and Nicki, 2/6th of the Looons. If you check out their store, Domus NY, you’ll see they are big adventurers! http://www.domusnewyork.com
Martha & Gabe
June 29, 2011 at 1:53 pm
You are welcome! It’s a great video. Thanks for stopping by!
June 29, 2011 at 3:44 pm
Diameter or Circumference?
September 13, 2011 at 11:13 am
Whoopsy! I meant circumference — fixed that!! (Sorry, it’s been a while since I received my last “D” in Geometry.)
September 13, 2011 at 12:32 pm
In search of help creating a yarn bombing sign for new business opening in Menlo Park. Can anyone help?
April 2, 2013 at 9:50 pm
I would, but I no longer live in California! Sorry. Maybe someone else who happens upon this can help, though?
April 3, 2013 at 7:07 pm