A DIY Eureka! Moment

Today I had a DIY Eureka! moment. Unfortunately I don't get them near often enough. I see fabulous projects that others are working with and I get stuck because I don't have those supplies or that know-how. Today was a breakthrough and something finally clicked - I could use the inspiration from another's project and do it in my own way!

I don't know how to knit, but I am a HUGE fan of guerilla knitting and yarn bombs. Looking at these (usually very public) projects with every color of the rainbow makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. Yesterday, Sweet Peach blog posted about the Beltline Knitterati, and I was once again drawn into the happiness of the patterns and colors and community of this initiative.

As I looked out my own window at the bare trees in the backyard, I had a fleeting thought of "I wonder how long it would take me to learn to knit and do something like this." Now when I say fleeting, I really mean fleeting.  I have no patience for this handcraft, which is why I truly appreciate others who knit so beautifully. So, I sat and poured over those photos over and over again, until...

Eureka!  I can use old sweaters! They are already knitted, so the hard part would be done. But wait! Dang! I just weeded out my old sweaters at the end of the season last year - so I only have those I plan to wear this year. Hmmm, "It's a great idea and I'm sure it will work - and it is so 'me' to find ways to cut DIY corners", I say to myself as I start pilfering through some bags intended for the charity shops. Bingo! I pull out a colorful knit winter cap that my Aunt Bev made for the kids when they were babies.

They both wore the hat for several seasons, but now they are getting older and want to choose their own hats. I found the yarn strings that held the point of the hat and pulled it apart. Then I found the seam and took those strings out as well. What I was left with was a nice rectangle piece that would be perfect to wrap around a tree. 

But despite my excitement and determination to throw a 'yarn bomb', it wasn't going to be big enough to get around that tree out back that I can see from my window. So, on to plan B. What about that boring cement planter on the front steps that I never got around to mosaic-ing this summer? Yes, that will work. And I set about stitching up a back seam with a large needle and some embroidery floss. I stepped back to admire my guerilla knit exhibit.

It may not be the real deal, but it works for me! 

Aunt Bev has since passed, but I think she would be quite happy to know that her colorful little winter hat will now greet us each time we come home.

Now I've got plans! My next thrift store will definitely include sifting through old sweaters. I've got some trees that need some warm knit jackets for the winter! I can't wait!

Until next time...

Mike

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