This year, Volunteering Canterbury is proud to partner with Yarnarchy, a yarn-inspired public art festival, bringing colour and joy to Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Wild crochet and playful knitted works of art are unleashed on trees, seats and buildings throughout the community (see examples in the Gallery below). This year, Cathedral Square becomes an open-air exhibition showcasing the incredible talent and creativity of our community.

Some works are large-scale solo pieces; others are made up of hundreds of individual contributions. All the yarn bombs – every single stitch – are made by hand and involve countless hours of innovation and creativity. Our youngest craftivist is 12; our oldest is… much older than that, thank you very much!

Can you help Yarnarchy bring some colour to Cathedral Square?

Yarnarchy is a super fun micro-volunteering opportunity for all ages. A simple, no-commitment way to contribute your skills and time to your community, bringing colour, creativity, connection and joy to our public spaces!

Anyone can be part of Yarnarchy! We organise workshops where craftivists of all levels can learn and share their skills.

We need your crafty contributions! This year, we are asking for:

  • Black, grey and rock-coloured granny squares and circles to create a collaborative rock yarn bomb.
  • Crocheted or knitted flowers that we can give away to people on the streets. Here are some patterns to help get you started.

Contributions can be dropped off at the Volunteering Canterbury office, 213 Lichfield Street, by 12 September, during normal business hours.

Yarnarchy displays will be place from 19 September to 18 October.

Every year Yarnarchy celebrates local craftivists with this annual yarn bomb festival. From the members of the public who thank us every time we install Yarnarchy, to the craftivists who are encouraged to be bold, creative and put their work ‘out there’, Yarnarchy is a gift to the city of Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Follow along and keep up to date on Facebook and Instagram.

And one final note: once we gift Yarnarchy to the ‘Square’, anything can happen! We may have to remove installations before 18 October if they are vandalised or damaged.

So grab your yarn, your hook or needles, and get creating!