Editor’s Diary: Yarn Bombing


Yarn bombing art in support of Ukraine on wooden post

Readers of my Editor’s Diary know how much I love my walks in my local area. And also that I frequently come across interesting and unusual things! This week? Yarn bombing.

I try to get out every lunchtime for a decent walk to clear my head after the morning’s work. I’m lucky that, right on my doorstep, I have the perfect route!

It’s a circular walk, which I always prefer. And it takes me from my front door along a well-used footpath that leads right to the shores of the River Tay.

From there, I walk along the riverside and through our beautiful park before arriving back home.

It takes 45 minutes to complete. Though I can do it in 42 if I get a move on and really stride out . . .

It’s a routine that started in March 2020, when I first began working from home. And it has really benefited my physical and mental fitness.

So where does the yarn bombing of my title come in?

What is yarn bombing?

Well, recently, I was marching round my usual route, keeping up a good pace. It was a pretty grey day, and the lunchtime news was grim, too. COVID, cost of living crisis, NHS delays — and, of course, the appalling war.

And then, I rounded a bend towards the entrance to the park and stopped in my tracks.

Ahead of me, I could see a colourful bit of yarn bombing adorning a wooden post. It was a beautiful knitted symbol of solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

I stopped to admire it more closely. It was a stunning bit of craftsmanship, with such attention to detail, right down to the leaves on the sunflower.

I took a photograph to share with you and continued on my way with a smile.

To think that someone had taken the time to create a woolly work of art just to brighten everyone’s day really touched me. And it made me feel very lucky to live in a peaceful, caring wee place in Fife!

Angela Gilchrist

Angela is Former Editor-in-Chief of “The People’s Friend” magazine. Her passions include cats, Highland ponies, good books, vegetarian food and long walks in the Scottish countryside. Her favourite place to get away from it all is the magical Isle of Skye.