When you think of the word “art”, your thoughts immediately picture out a canvas, different types of brushes and different colored paints. However, it presents many forms, especially in the local scene. 

Take for example the art installation by Cebu Crochet Group at the Outlets at Pueblo Verde in Basak, Lapu-Lapu City. It’s part of the Art in the Fork weekend fair, a tryst of all artists and their different forms of art, such as local short films and bands, to dainty necklaces and bracelets on display.

Decorated from the bottom up, the trees located at a mini park adjacent to the food shops are hugged by different pieces of colorful, interlocking loops of yarn and thread. The installation is dubbed as “yarn bombing”, the crochet version of the usual street art and graffiti. It attracts visitors of different ages to a varied display of interesting, quirky and vibrant patterns.

The yarn bomb installation titled Ganchillo Artistico at the Outlets at Pueblo Verde is the first of its kind in Cebu. Adorning three acacia trees, a couple of benches, and lamp posts with crocheted friendly-looking monster plushies, the idea was to incorporate three most common crochet shapes and stitches: doilies or rounds, granny squares and waves or chevron.

“Crochet has always been around us as long as we can remember, (as) we often see beautiful crochet pieces in our homes created by our grandmas, our aunties and moms,” says Sarah Palmares, a crochet artist and one of the people behind the Cebu Crochet Group. She adds that the unique handmade nature of the crochet art is what sets it apart from machine-made knitted materials we see in common stores and boutiques.

Crochet enthusiasts come in all ages, as crochet skills and pattern sharing have been made easier through social media, evidenced by their online presence made possible by the digital age. The importance of the existence of artisan arts like that of crochet—aside from it being used as art pieces—is that it is also used to transform neglected items in the household, such as pieces of tin cans and to turn them into holders for pens or utensils. Moreover, crochet art can also help in patching up and beautifying worn-out pieces of jewelry, such as hanging earrings and necklaces.

As Sarah would narrate, crocheting has been a therapeutic activity for her, a rest from all the hustle at work for the entire day. Bernadette Dy, another crochet enthusiast from the group, recalls her on-and-off relationship with crochet since she was 18 years old. She rekindled this relationship when she had a delicate pregnancy that restricted her to bed rest, when crochet came into the picture and helped give her a sense of purpose despite the stress. When it comes to personalized and heartwarming gift ideas for family and friends, Yasmin Jumao-as sees crochet-making and crafting as a best friend during gift-giving seasons.

In line with the launching of the yarn bombing art installation, the crochet enthusiasts from the Cebu Crochet Group also imparted their knowledge and skills of the versatile craft during the basic crochet-making workshops. As the installation was done through teamwork, skill, and motivation to make the most out of the craft, the group proved that there is more we can make out of crochet than the usual blankets, table cloth and coasters.

When asked for her inspiration behind the art of crochet, Sarah reponds, “To finish something created by your own hand is gratifying. It’s giving a part of yourself to each piece you make, as you touch each strand of yarn as you work.”

Crochet, like all types of art, speaks the artists’ language and is a mirror of their thoughts. It’s an expression of the group’s passion for the craft, continuing to prove the creativity of the Cebuano.