Crochet Art Spreads Love in Bay St. Louis

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If you frequent Old Town Bay St. Louis, you’ve probably noticed an interesting phenomenon lately – "yarn bombing." Who is responsible for these uplifting messages?

- by Wendy Sullivan

If you frequent Old Town Bay St. Louis, you’ve probably noticed an interesting phenomenon lately – crocheted flowers on the backs of stop signs, messages of gratitude and hope on utility boxes, encouragement to talk on benches – appearing throughout our arty coastal community.
“Yarn bombing” is described by Wikipedia as “a type of graffiti or street art that employs colorful displays of knitted or crocheted yarn or fiber.” This international art form has found its way to Bay St. Louis through the efforts of Knotty Harts. 

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Our anonymous local group of Knotty Harts explained, “after the long depression of being shut in with Covid and the string of negative news, we wanted to bring something fresh, positive, fun and engaging to our small town.” Bringing yarn art to the community is a form of brightening otherwise dull and uninteresting spaces. 
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This flock of butterflies recently landed for a few days in Old Town.

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Photos of the fun projects on Instagram carry the goodwill even further. The account of KnottyHarts@Instagram already has nearly 1,500 followers. The account’s profile reads, “Spreading love, color and conversation with yarn in the streets. Be happy. Be well. Mental health matters.”

Inspired by the anonymous artist Banksy, one of the Knotty Harts crew states that their work is “about the art of spreading love and encouraging those who need it in the community.”
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The local focus is on inclusion and tackling mental health issues in “a colorful, light-hearted manner.” Using crocheting as a form of therapy for the artists as well as the community, the Knotty Harts have found that the hobby “boosts their mood, stimulates the brain, and instills purpose and achievement.”
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A flock of butterflies adorns a storage shed at Ruth's Roots Garden

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Butterflies land at Ruth's Roots Garden

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With a mission to “spread love, color and conversation with yarn in the streets,” the Knotty Harts often receive requests to decorate businesses, homes and areas of the community. Families can be found using the art for fun scavenger hunts with children exclaiming in delight as they find new pieces and practice newly acquired reading skills. 
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Crocheted entryway at Ruth's Roots Community Garden on Court Street.

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During the Halloween season, the Depot District gazebo was decorated with many handmade ornaments for folks to take home.

For Christmas, the Knotty Harts plan to put out several small crochet ornaments for “scavenger hunt-savvy folks” with placement clues on the Knotty Harts Instagram account. The person who finds and collects the most and reaches out to Instagram@knottyharts will get a free artist choice tree wrap.
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As Knotty Harts explained, “This art is all about YOU, and we want you to receive it with the love and positivity it is intended.” Regular updates on their work can be found @knottyharts on Instagram. 
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Click here to see more on KnottyHarts Instagram page!

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