An explosion of pattern and colour has brightened up the streetscape of East Bridge Street, Enniskillen over the last few days as Fermanagh Cottage Industries partook in International Yarnbombing Day on Saturday (June 10) by decorating their shop front and a lamp post with knitted and crocheted pieces provided by local crafters.

Yarnbombing is the practice of adding knitted or crocheted works of art to public places.

Karen Mitten and Katie Kennedy from Fermanagh Cottage Industries spoke to The Impartial Reporter about what inspired them to take part in International Yarnbombing Day.

"They do it in foreign countries, they wrap them around trees. They cover lamp posts, everything," said Karen.

"It hasn't been done in the town so we thought, 'sure why not," said Katie, adding with a laugh: "And it brightens up our lovely grey lamp post!"

Ahead of the official International Yarnbombing Day, the shop owners put a call-out for submissions.

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"We wanted to get all our customers involved," said Katie, who was delighted with the response, noting that the majority of the knitted and crocheted pieces that adorn the lamp post are the work of local knitters and crocheters.

"It's a mixture of knitting and crocheting, and it covers the whole lamp post," she added.

Talking about some of the people who submitted knitted and crocheted pieces for the yarnbombing, Katie said: "A woman brought in what her mother made. They are wee squares and the lady is blind.

"So it doesn't matter your ability, because people were afraid that you have to be professional and it has to be done a certain way but it's for all levels of abilities."

As well as knitted and crocheted squares of all kinds of stitches, patterns and colours, there were more alternative pieces, with one local crafter hand-knitting miniature jumpers and cardigans which were strung together as bunting and hung along the shop window.

Alongside customers, shop staff and family members also got involved.

"Charlotte, who works here, she brought in her very first crochet from about 10 years ago," said Katie, whose daughter Scarlett also submitted pieces: "She made wee mini octopuses. They were crocheted and stuffed."

Hoping that people will see the yarnbombing and smile, Katie said: "If somebody's having a bad day, it's bright and colourful and it's going to make them smile.

"We plan to have it up and down for as long as we can."

Since lockdown, Katie and Karen have found that knitting and crocheting has had a bit of a resurgence.

"A lot of people started to learn mainly crochet through YouTube.

"And now we have a lot of schoolkids of all ages coming in to get their wool because it's a stress release from exam work.

"They are using YouTube links rather than a pattern. But it's all ages, male and female," said Katie, noting how her daughter Scarlett has recently discovered a love of crocheting: "Scarlett is 10. She's sitting on her tablet in the evening, she puts it down and she lifts the crochet. She could be in foul form then she sits crocheting and the next thing she's in great form.

"It's a real energy booster and mental health booster," she added.

Katie and Karen hope that by displaying the art of yarnbombing outside their shop, they will encourage others to be creative with wool.

"It's just getting everybody involved. And for us, it's something different," Katie told this newspaper.