A beautiful “spin” on an ugly campaign – Yarnbomb for Yes connects people

Helen Thomson, better-known as a classical soprano and LGBTIQ+ issues advocate, is also an
inveterate knitter / crocheter.
In these troubled Postal Survey times, Helen, like many, has struggled to come up with positive
responses to the unfolding campaign. “The wonderful QTas Choir, who I’m lucky enough to
direct, have done two Marriage Equality appearances, at the recent rally and also as part of a
Flashmob. That was awesome, but it still didn’t feel like enough. I still felt helpless and
disconnected, and I know lots of other LGBTIQ+ people and broader community are feeling
exactly the same.”
Which is how the Yarnbomb for Yes project came to be. “Our first yarnbomb went live in the
courtyard of Salamanca Arts Centre on Thursday, and the other secret, high-profile Hobart
location is set to be yarnbombed at the end of October.”
The project has a website, a Facebook presence, and has held knit-ins in Hobart, Cygnet, and the
Tasman Peninsula to prepare material for the yarnbombs. “The idea is to connect people, in a
time when it’s all too easy to feel powerless and isolated; to create something large, bright,
beautiful and eye-catching, somewhere where lots of people go; to do something tangible, fun,
positive and creative at a time when the dialogue around LGBTIQ+ equality feels incredibly
negative and vitriolic, and just returning a Yes ballot doesn’t feel like remotely enough.”
Helen is also teaching beginner yarn-crafters to make objects to contribute to the project. Her big
success story is her friend Carmen Burnet, who decided to get involved with the project after an
attack on a young trans woman in Hobart barely made the news because the same news cycle
incorporated the incident involving Tony Abbott and Astro Labe. “As well as raising two foster
kids and studying at Uni, Carmen has also cranked out what has to be several square metres of
material for the yarnbombings, and she also helped with the Salamanca Arts Centre installation,”
says Helen. “She’s a superwoman.”
So what does the project need? “We’re having one more big knit-in this Sunday October 29 from
10:30am at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. The idea is that people rock up and make lots of stuff,
crocheted or knitted, to wrap around, hang off, and generally ornament a top secret, centrally
placed, high-profile Hobart object. We’re particularly after hearts and round things, in a single
bright colour anywhere on the rainbow spectrum. You can also make items independently and
post them in or drop them off – all details are on the website,” Thomson adds. Patterns for hearts
and round objects, from simple to complex, can be found on the Yarnbomb for Yes website at
yarnbombforyes.com. “Or,” Thomson chimes in, “go free-form – as long as it’s round or heartshaped
and in one of the rainbow colours – and as long as you’ve woven your ends in(!), we’ll be
stoked!”
Donations of knitted or crocheted items will close on Sunday October 29.
Entry to the Bonorong event is free, and light lunch, tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided, but
reservations are essential for catering. Search Eventbrite for “Yarnbomb for Yes” to book!
Helen Thomson