There Will Be Math

 There is very little needed to yarn bomb.  You need yarn.  Some prefer wool but I think the only yarn to use is cheap acrylic, the cheaper the better cos it is probably older and you can not destroy it.  If you find a thrift store that sells yarn you can get it really cheap.  However remember you may need a lot depending on what you are doing.  I know we used several thousand yards creating the item for the Irish Market.  Dig through your stash, you know you have tons of little balls of leftovers.  I think worsted works best.  You do not want to use a thin yarn or you will be working on it forever. 

Hooks or needles, I prefer wood or Karbonz, much easier on my hands but use what you are comfortable.  Get different sizes cos we all know if the label says size 4 it is not always a size 4.  I once ordered yarn based on what the pattern called for which was worsted and when I got it it was more like sport.  Not a good thing.  Once again you can get hooks and needles at thrift stores, but be careful because a lot of them are the Boye medal needles and plastic hooks. If you can not work with these wait til places have them on sale.  Of course you probably have several in your stash.

You will need yarn needles to sew pieces together, make sure you get the metal ones, don't ask how many plastic ones I have snapped in half pulling through stitches.  

Tape measure. I told you there would be math. If you are doing a piece for a specific item you want it to fit so you will need to take measurements. You also need to get your gauge down, so you have to make a dreaded swatch or two. 

Lots of scratch paper.  I can not tell you how many pieces of paper we went through drawing up our plans, color coding, etc.  Colored pencils are needed if you want your colors to look good together or for creating charts.

First you need to know what you are "dressing."  Then take the measurements and start the planning and drawing.

The book talks about stealth knitting/crocheting and hanging the project.  People may ask you what you are making.  I don't agree with that. Tell people what you are doing, they may want to help knit/crochet or help you hang it or let people know so the work can be admired.  

If you have a basket of swatches and do not know what to do with them, use them in your yarn bomb.  

The book has several patterns in it.  There is a chapter on rectangle tags (they call the pieces tags).  The book is full of beautiful pictures showing what all you can do.

How about making flowers and planting them in a flower bed in the dead of winter?  How about wrapping trees in vibrant colors?  Wrap a fence post.  Wrap a bus stop bench.  

There are several interviews with yarn bomb groups.  You may run into police or security who will charge you with littering or graffiti and you will have to pay the ticket.  You may find people will steal or damage your work.  

It is a fun book. If you have every thought  of yarn bombing get the book there are tons of ideas, lots of help and just have fun.