By Frederick N. Rasmussen , fred.rasmussen@baltsun.com|September 08, 2009
If the Old Farmer's Almanac's prediction of a cold winter ahead is correct, at least one tree in Hampden will be snug against the blasts of wintry winds, plummeting temperatures and snow.
Monday, while most folks celebrated the unofficial end of summer with a last dip at the beach, a walk in the woods or a backyard picnic, a group of Hampden knitters - young and old - were busy wrapping a flowering cherry tree on 36th Street in a knitted sweater.
It replaced a sweater that had been put on last year and removed in June so the tree could "breathe" over the summer, said Sue Caldwell, owner of Lovelyarns, a Hampden yarn and knitting supply shop.
"We actually made a little bikini for it for the summer, but it fell apart," said Caldwell of the tree that stands in front of her funky-colored brick rowhouse shop with a sign inviting knitters to "Come Stitch 'n Bitch, Hon!"
A band of devoted knitters made the six segments of the sweater that were appropriately labeled "A" through "F" for easy assembly.
"A dozen knitters altogether contributed to it, including a young girl, India Olcheforte, from Washington, who heard about and sent a piece she had made," said Caldwell. "People were free to do anything they wanted. The only thing was they had to use green, white and purple yarn."
Caldwell's mother, Bea Schwartz, 84, a veteran Pikesville knitter who wasn't present for the installation, contributed the piece that girdled the lower tree trunk, and invited passers-by with the words "HUG ME" that she had worked into her design.
The Hampden sweater tree is an example of an urban outdoor art movement that is called graffiti knitting, yarn bombing or yarnstorming.
"It has been popularized in the U.S. by Knitta Please and is very popular in England," explained Caldwell, who was dressed in dark pants and a pink top emblazoned with the words: "Knit Happens In Hampden."
Before the actual application could be made, a small branch or two had to be snipped off, so that the knitters with yarn and needles in hand could fit and sew the pieces together.
Eventually, participants used a ladder to stretch the sweater into the upper areas of the tree.
Caldwell was amazed at how fast the work was completed. "Many hands make light work," she said. "It took forever last year."
Angel Gilmartin, 29, from Dundalk, made a quick stop to help before heading off to a Labor Day crab feast. "I'm a knitter and just had to stop by. I just love this. Isn't it so fun?" she said.
Lucas Antoine, 28, a Baltimore public school Spanish teacher and knitter who described himself as a "master sewer," was high in the tree sewing the final piece into place.
"This is the part I really enjoy," he said. "I think it really looks great."
The knitters completed the job in under an hour, with a little encouragement from sidewalk superintendents, dog walkers and those out for a midday stroll.
They also had just finished knitting 600 sweater caps that will be distributed to students at Arlington Elementary School in Pimlico, Caldwell said.
Caldwell was pleased that the tree was dressed in time for next weekend's Hampdenfest. "I just hope no one decides to pour a beer on it," she said.
