SEQUIM –– A loose-knit cell of knitters has claimed responsibility for (yarn) bombing the 100 block of West Cedar Street in Sequim in an unsolicited display of patriotism and craftiness.
The 10-member Fiber Arts Bombardiers draped and wrapped several trees near the Museum of Arts and Culture, City Hall and the Sequim Transit Center with red-white-and-blue knittings in advance of the city’s Fourth of July celebration.
“We are claiming responsibility for this guerrilla activity,” said Chrysalis Carter, a member of the bombardiers code named “Brick House.”
“Why do we do this? Well, because it is delicious fun,” said Gloria “Glory Bee” Skovronsky, the bombardiers’ coordinator.
“Our goal is to inflict as much laughter, joy and good chuckles into town as we can,” Carter said.
That they appear to have done.
In an official statement issued out of City Hall on Tuesday morning, Mayor Ken Hays expressed support for the guerilla group of naughty knitters.
“I love this Boston Tea-Party like ‘arttorist’ attack on City Hall. The perfect outburst of color, fun and patriotism on the eve of the Fourth of July; it makes me want to cry,” Hays said.
“The yarn-bombers are coming, the yarn bombers are coming!”
The graffiti of animal hair and acrylic fibers was firmly attached to the trees and will be removed by the group after the holiday.
The bombardiers have left knittings at several places around the city over the last couple years, including hits on the Sunshine Cafe, Bank of America Park and other downtown targets last October in conjunction with International Yarn Bombing Day.
“You will see us again,” Skovronsky vowed.
The Fiber Arts Bombardiers have a Facebook page which includes a manifesto is at www.facebook.com/FiberArtsBombardiers.
A group of “bombers” out of Cabled Fiber Studio have left its knittings on statues on Laurel Street in Port Angeles as well.
Carter said many of the bombardiers spun, weaved and dyed the material used in Monday’s decoration on their own over the past several months, but also received supplies through A Dropped Stitch, the yarn store at 170 W. Bell St.
Jean Montoya, co-owner of A Dropped Stitch, said her shop was just “a way station” for the bombardiers, sort of a Morrocan-style speakeasy for the group’s suppliers.
Another member of the group code-named No Knot attributed much of their yarn supplies to the Sequim-based North Olympic Shuttle and Spindle Guild, a group that has been known for its knitting, crocheting and felting activities for 30 years.
Members of the bombardiers promised more “bombings” are on the way in the coming weeks, with the possibility of a purple-themed attack in advance of the Sequim Lavender Weekend, which features festivals celebrating lavender sponsored by the Sequim Lavender Growers Association and the Sequim Lavender Farmers Association on July 19-21.
Another bombing may is expected this fall in preparation for the 7th Annual North Olympic Fiber Arts Festival, which will be in and around Sequim during the first weekend in October.
For more on the festival, see www.fiberartsfestival.org.
According to No Knot, there may be more yarnings that come from the group without warning, as well.
“We just want to make the world a better, more fun, more spontaneous place,” the group said.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Joe Smillie can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or at jsmillie@peninsuladailynews.com.
