Over the last few years I have seen a new type of street art around Vadet in Tungelsta. A number of trees have been fitted with what looks like knitted leg warmers. Yesterday as I was taking some photos of the colorful works of art the artist arrived home so I decided to walk over for a chat. This is Anna-Greta. Her family has owned Vadet for a century. We have never met before, but before I had time to introduce myself she asked if I was that Steffe guy who takes so many photos! As both our families have lived in Tungelsta for a century we had a few things to talk about. Phone numbers was one thing we discussed. My great grandfathers phone number was #1. Anna-Greta's family had #3. That was back when there was a switchboard operator. But I actually know Gretas current phone number, just by knowing that digit. The street art knitting is of course illegal which Anna-Greta pointed out to me when I asked if I could take her portrait, but I'm quite sure that the cops won't be calling her any time soon. Even if they have her number.
21 comments:
Good advertising for her high quality knitting but it seems to be she could knit a family member or a friend a sweater and get more joy?
I'm sure she has done that many many times. She got the inspiration after reading about a similar street art knitting thing at on a bridge near the home of famous painter Carl Larsson.
I've seen this sort of art on street signs in Sydney but never on trees.
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This is pretty wonderful. Lovely.
I've never seen anything quite like this before! Fascinating. More power to her!
I'm with Jacob. This is utterly new to me. Thank you for giving us an entree into the latest x-treme sport and that wonderful criminal knitter you nabbed with your camera.
And here I thought those were sweaters for the trees. Can you imagine how many sleeves she'd have to knit?
tres original et amusant ;o)
Funny story, Steffe. The shared history of your families' phone numbers is amazing. Imagine a phone number with only a single digit! I assume the numbers are a bit more complicated today?
Tree sweaters ... what a lovely gift idea for the well dressed neighborhood tree with everything. -:)
Phwew! For a second there, I thought you were doing a story about Leif! I would have been bummed to know that you were here in Eagan and didn't call us!
It is too pretty to be illegal! That is a wonderful portrait Steffe.
I like it! It's a lovely idea and she has a wonderful, friendly face. I'm trying to figure out why it would be illegal, I don't think it would hurt the tree.
How sweet of her to knit for those trees. Any chance she'd make me a blankie? They're very pretty!
As street art goes, that is very amusing! I've never seen it before. By posting these pictures, you may have started a world-wide epidemic of tree-knitting.
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If I meet Anna-Greta again Halcyon I will ask her to get working on a blankie.
Street art knitting is very popular in Sweden. The possible illegality is that it's seen upon as graffiti and that is of course vandalism, but I don't think anyone will ever be arrested or convicted for creating this type of wonderful street art.
Gee, I still haven't got any knitted leg warmers and now even the trees have been equipped.
Naughty, naughty Anna-Greta! Still, those tree leg warmers certainly look cute :-)
In case you are interested, here is another portrait of Anna-Greta. Standing at her kicksled.
So, I feel as though I am 'drilling' down into your site, Steffe. Fancy having phone #1. I find it sad that knitting is equaed with graffiti.
Nah, the scarf and beanie ... not underground enough for 'the knitter'!!
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