Tree Scarves

Maybe the snow is really getting to us.

Last Sunday, John and the camera, me and 3 scarves, and a threaded needle went out into our park to a group of 3 trees that we had decided needed to be warmer. All the scarves were too narrow to be attached to the chosen three – so we walked around the park and found a slender young tree and I sewed a scarf lengthwise to it. The tree had looked really cold – like really really cold. It looks cosy now and not at all startled by this new event.

I don’t know that this is knitted graffiti – and it was a bit stressful, and fun, and very odd. I am thinking about that – maybe it wasn’t really odd – maybe we are a bit odd – I don’t know. One young couple came to check on us and seemed quite happy that the tree was now warmer. They hail from Australia and live virtually around the corner from us. The locals (I am presuming Dutch) just walked by.

Because it was a bit stressful I asked my very odd friends and family if I should go and retrieve the scarf before I am taken away – unanimously the answer was no.

So bowing to public pressure the tree still has the scarf on it and it looks great.

One thing we had not considered when we carried out this act is that we can actually see the tree from our house.

And I watch and noone pauses, rushes over, or even does a sideways glance as they go by. Maybe there are other trees in the Netherlands wearing their own scarves so that the locals think it is quite normal.

I have been back to talk to my tree – you can see how our relationship has changed – now it my tree, and I can tell you that the dogs consider a tree wearing a fashion scarf unusual. How do I know this – the snow around the tree is pristine white – no yellow snow here.

But of course this scarf is free for the taking by anyone who wishes it. Just like those that I hung on the railing outside our little steeg.

Tags: art, free scarf, graffiti, Haarlem, knitting, park, snow, tree with scarf