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Just want the pattern? Get it here!
Remember how I said that once I’d had the idea to make a company logo dog sweater, I couldn’t NOT do it? I had another one of those tonight.
Outside our building is a sorry little sidewalk tree. At the height of summer, it had about five leaves. A dead glowstick has been dangling from its branches for three months.
Tonight while I was out on a smoke break, I looked at the tree and thought, “Man, that is one sad tree. It looks cold and wet and pathetic. It needs a sweater!”
I went home and whipped one up, it only took an hour and a half to knit. Then another fifteen minutes or so, standing outside in the cold at half past midnight, stitching it up.
If you would like to make your own little tree sweater, here’s my pattern!
—————
Update: February 19, 2006
The treesweater is looking a little worse for wear, but it’s still hanging in there! The branch that was its “arm” has been broken off and the seams are looking a little ragged - presumably from the attempts of stupid/drunk people to pull it off. (Hello?)
Update to the update: I hadn’t looked closely at the branch until today (3/23/06). The branch has actually been cut by some sort of gardener person. I love this!
It was someone’s job to go out there and prune the branch, and the sweater was obviously in the way. That person had a choice: cut the sweater, or leave it be. They looked at the sweater, then very carefully cut the branch so that about an inch protrudes from the arm of the sweater, thus leaving the visual integrity (the “sweaterness,” if you will) intact.
Big hugs to the landscaper who did this!
———————————-
Update: March 23, 2006
My treesweater made the cover of this week’s issue of The Stranger, a free alternative newspaper published weekly here in Seattle.
Also, a shout-out on The Stranger’s blog.
Huuuuge props to my roommate/coworker Raleigh, for discovering the news!
Raleigh was standing out on our balcony at work having a smoke when he noticed a guy walking down the sidewalk stop short at the treesweater. The pedestrian gaped in surprise, then hold up his copy of The Stranger to the tree, confirming it was the same treesweater.
Is it possible to die from being thrilled? I will let you know.
———————————-
Update: March 28, 2006
I have received so many wonderful comments and emails about the treesweater - it’s quite overwhelming!
First of all, I want to say that I strongly encourage you to make your own treesweater. I’ve posted the revised pattern over there on the side bar. Trees come in so many different sizes and shapes that I expect you will have to modify the pattern considerably, in order to get it to fit your own tree. If it helps you to visualize what you’ll need to knit, you may want to start by making a mock-up in paper, and practice taping it onto the tree.
If you do make a treesweater, please send me pictures! You can email me directly by putting “blog” to the left of the at symbol, and “fisherking.org” to the right of it. Please do not send me spam. I assure you, I have no desire for pills which claim to either reduce or enlarge various areas of my body.
I have been mulling over the idea of sweatering trees all up and down Eastlake, although the task is rather daunting. Perhaps other Seattle knitters and treesweater enthusiasts would be interested in a mass treesweatering event? Arbor Day is the last Friday in April. I’m just saying.
Those of you who have been mocked for making your own tree couture, be strong. Some people just don’t get it. Pity them, for they lack whimsy, and are forever doomed to lead lives of unspeakable dullness
———————————-
Update: April 09, 2006
A friend tipped me off to the fact that I’ve been Metafiltered!
I have been reading Metafilter ever since it got slashdotted back in, what was that, 1999? Unfortunately, I have long since forgotten my password, and the email address on my Metafilter profile is no longer correct. (I spend more time at Monkeyfilter anyway, no insult meant to the Metafilterites.)
Anyway, I was only trying to log in so that I could gush about how unbelievably famous I felt, being linked on Metafilter and all, so it’s probably not worth the trouble.
I also wanted to respond that everyone on the thread is right - the treesweater is meant to be cute, funny, and also a little bit sad. And that it is indeed the same tree - between the time when my first pics were taken, and the time that a photographer snapped his Stranger cover pic, a gardener trimmed the “arm.”
Rock on, Mefi!
———————————-
Update: April 18, 2006
The sun finally emerged today. Since it was a slow afternoon at work, I thought it would be a good time to get some snaps of the treesweater, and address some of the more common questions that I’ve gotten.
This is a top-down view; as you can see, it is quite loose. It has about three inches of ease (which is pretty significant, in a sweater that’s only nine inches around), so fear not - it does not bind or chafe the bark in any way.
To everyone who asked “How’d she get that on there?” - a view from the back. It’s pretty obvious if you see it in person, despite my Ninja Seaming Skills! (The seams have become more prominent over the months - they used to be almost invisible, I swear!)
A view from the front, same angle as the photo on the cover of the Stranger. Here you can see what I mean by “It’s gotten a little bedraggled lately.”
Several people have commented that the treesweater will cause damage to the tree by trapping moisture. (I have to ask - what kinds of sweaters have you folks been wearing? Neoprene?) I suppose that theoretically this is true, but the treesweater has good exposure to sun and wind, and dries off quickly.
I was curious to see if this was the case, though, so I tugged the sweater down off the arm and carefully inspected the bark. I guess I was afraid that there would be a sweater-shaped black mass of goo, and then I would feel awful about the whole thing, and have to spend my lunch hour out there scrubbing the tree with a toothbrush, or something. But as you can see, after four months of treesweater wear, you can’t even tell where it was. (That white goober is the remains of a spider’s egg sack, yuck!)
Hypothetically the treesweater, if left there long enough, could inhibit the growth of the tree, or constrict it somehow. But as you can see, there’s plenty of room for growth. Extra-plenty, if you take into account that this tree isn’t growing, like, at all. (I love this tree, but arboreally-speaking, it’s kind of a loser.)
The compulsive part of me would really like to knit a replacement treesweater. It’s looking a little worse for the wear, and also it is feeelthy. (I had to run inside and wash my hands after handling it for these pictures.) But it seems like a replacement sweater just wouldn’t be as iconic as the original. I’m still on the fence about that.
———————————-
Update: April 23, 2006
Late-breaking treesweater update - the treesweater is missing. Treesweaternapped!
Is it the work of anti-treesweater activists? A treesweater fan who just couldn’t help themselves? Or just some random, meth-addled hobo? Unknown.
Well, I know what I’ll be knitting tonight…
————————————-
Update: April 25, 2006
Treesweater the Second:
———————————-
Update: May 1, 2006
The lovely and talented Meieli Sawyer Detoni has written up an article on the treesweater, which has been published in New Zealand’s fashion culture magazine, Thread. Go read it!
———————————-
Update: May 24th, 2006
Philbert made a denim miniskirt for the Treesweater tree! Too funny!
———————————-
Update: June 21st, 2006
Everyone has a MySpace page, now Treesweater does, too!
———————————-
Update: June 26th, 2006
Someone gave the Treesweater a flower!
———————————-
Update: November 9th, 2006
Well, the second treesweater was a real trooper. It has braved the elements since April, but the latest bout of weather has taken its toll. Clearly, it was time for a replacement, which I’ve just sewn on.
Bit dark out there for photography, but here’s a shot of the old one.
There are a few holes, as you can see. It was essentially being held together with filth. (Eurgh!) I shall have to remember to replace the third sweater more promptly.
———————————-
Update: November 25th, 2006
Treesweater got a shout-out on Cast On, Brenda Dayne’s superb knitting podcast! Which reminds me, I need to get a picture of the most recent sweater, eh? Someone has left a little plastic antler for Treesweater, which is delightfully Grinch’s-basset-hound. Pictures next week, I promise!
———————————-
Update: January 22, 2007
Hooray, I made Kerrang Radio’s Ugly Phil Breakfast Show podcast! This means that you can listen to my interview if you like, for about the next 24 hours until its taken offline. (Their podcasts expire rather quickly, I notice.)
Click here to listen while you can! My interview appears at about the 4:30 mark.
For dads and other people having problems listening to the interview:
1. If you get an error when you click that link in your browser, click here to download and install Quicktime first.
2. If you already have iTunes installed, you can locate it by searching their podcasts directory for “Ugly Phil”. Download the 1/22 episode.
3. If that still doesn’t work, let me know and I can probably hook you up.
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Oh my goodness. I am now compelled to knit a sweater for my neighbor’s tree.
Comment by Patti —
3/6/2006 @ 11:53 pm
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Excellent! If you do, please take pictures! I think more trees need sweaters.
I’ve been meaning to knit a replacement sweater, since the existing one is looking a little ratty. I think for the second version, I would knit it side-to-side, with a buttonhole for the sleeve, and then just seam it up along the armless side. (I’ll post pics if I do this - my explanation doesn’t make much sense when I write it out like that.)
Comment by Erika —
3/7/2006 @ 12:52 am
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Erika. I love these tree sweaters. You are so cool. Great art, babe.
Comment by regina hackett —
3/23/2006 @ 5:29 pm
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Thank you!
Comment by Erika —
3/23/2006 @ 11:29 pm
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Hi Erika,
I’m a writer in Seattle for a national newspaper - and I think I’d like to do a story about you and your tree sweater (I’m waiting for my editor to confirm the paper’s interest).
Could you please email me with your email address (which I don’t seem to find on this site) and your telephone number?
Thank you -
Jessica
Comment by Jessica —
3/24/2006 @ 12:46 pm
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Erika, the woman who launched the movement to finally give small trees the sweaters they’ve deserved all these years!
Comment by Brizone —
3/24/2006 @ 1:23 pm
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I just moved to Eastlake from The Hill. I quickly began to really like my new neighborhood. But this just up the ante! I love this place. Thank you.
Comment by Eastlake is for lovers! —
3/24/2006 @ 1:34 pm
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[…] g outside in the cold at half past midnight, stitching it up. More on Erika’s blog [Link]. Technorati Tags: knitting, silly, treehugger Via Make.
[…]
Pingback by Zero tee tee zero » Tree sweater —
3/24/2006 @ 5:47 pm
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I work next door to the tree and have admired its sweater for months. Often I’d wondered who was behind this fabulous piece of urban art. I wonder no more–thanks for making me smile every time I walk by that tree! I’ve been showing everyone I know the cover of the Stranger this week because I’m so stoked about Eastlake making the cover…
Comment by W. Turkey —
3/24/2006 @ 7:21 pm
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You have made me so happy. Your tree-sweater fills me with warmness just as it does that now-happy tree.
Comment by Brantley Harris —
3/25/2006 @ 1:15 am
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I live in Michigan’s upper peninsula, and as soon as the snow melts enough so that I can get to my scrawny tree in my front yard, I’ll knit a sweater for each season. That should stop a few people in their tracks as they pass by!
Comment by Miss Elaine Eous —
3/25/2006 @ 1:53 pm
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this is hilarious! my roommate and boyfriend made fun of me like crazy for knitting my little orange tree a scarf! (they called it a sweater) thanks, I guess I’m not alone
Comment by Adrielle —
3/25/2006 @ 1:59 pm
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[…] ::: « Interesting maps Arbre couture http://erika.fisherking.org/?page_id=271 This posting made me smile: The “Tree S […]
Pingback by meltinggaze.com » Blog Archive » Arbre couture —
3/25/2006 @ 8:36 pm
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That is so darn cute! I wish I could knit so I could make one or several for my trees, it would drive my father-in-law nuts!
Comment by MadamRuppy —
3/26/2006 @ 9:22 pm
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Love it! I thought I was the only odd person. I have a wonderful bottle tree, perhaps I will make a hat for it! Keep up the great ideas. Joan
Comment by Joan —
3/27/2006 @ 9:10 am
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Cool sweaters! I love this sort of thing. How big can you go? You’ve gotta aim high… Now Oak trees… There’s a fine bunch of trees, all old, and they say we need to keep the old warm…
Comment by Paul —
3/27/2006 @ 11:58 am
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Best. Knitting. Blog. Story. Ever. I can’t tell you how happy this whole entry makes me. Thank you so much.
Comment by Donna —
3/27/2006 @ 3:03 pm
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“the landscaper” is a super-star (:
Comment by johnie1 —
3/27/2006 @ 3:48 pm
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Hi Erika,
I’m the guy that snapped the pic and sent it to The Stranger. I just couldnt resist because its so damn cool, and I love random art stuff such as the tree sweater. I live nearby on franklin ave and I noticed the ’sweater’ as I was passing by one day.
I’m glad you stepped fwd to be recognized for this contribution to our lovely neighborhood, and please keep on rockin the yarn! -steven
Comment by steven —
3/28/2006 @ 11:01 am
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[…] teen minutes or so, standing outside in the cold at half past midnight, stitching it up. Link with pattern (via Make: Blog) Posted on Tuesday […]
Pingback by Neatorama » Blog Archive » Erika Barcott’s Tree Sweater. —
3/28/2006 @ 12:32 pm
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[…] it warm for a moment. Knit it a sweater, keep it warm all winter. Via Neatorama, Erika knit a tree a sweater : Remember how I said that once I’d had the idea to make a company logo dog swe […]
Pingback by Musings of an Eco-Entrepreneur » The tree sweater —
3/28/2006 @ 12:51 pm
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So here I am WAY up in the north of Alberta Canada and how I came across this I will NEVER know - but I have now sent links to my friends and family all over the world and as far away as Singapore.
Thanks for the smile.
I don’t know how to knit, but I will be trying to make tree sweaters
Thanks again
Comment by Julie —
3/28/2006 @ 2:17 pm
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You rock! I’ve been fascinated with the Stranger cover this entire week, only to find a link to your site from NotMartha today! Congrats.
Allison
Comment by Allison Smith —
3/28/2006 @ 5:46 pm
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Awesome! Actually I want one of these for my cat that’s missing a front leg. This would be a perfect fit!
Comment by FlatGreg —
3/29/2006 @ 2:21 pm
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looks like it hit ‘treehugger’ no less…
Comment by Derek —
3/29/2006 @ 3:01 pm
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Seen this?
http://www.knittaplease.com/Home.html
Comment by Guy —
3/30/2006 @ 1:34 am
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Can you make a sweater for Gatbier aswell? Gatbier has the elegance of a dead tree.
Comment by Einherjar —
3/30/2006 @ 2:00 am
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hat ez naon beteg
)
Comment by bikbukkfa —
3/30/2006 @ 4:06 am
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It is very quite !!!
Comment by Maya —
3/30/2006 @ 5:15 am
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i have seen a lot of useless work , this one tops it.
but cute.
Comment by Hemaworstje —
3/30/2006 @ 5:55 pm
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I found this from LiveJournal. How magical! I showed the pictures to my Mom and she said “how could you look at something like that and NOT smile?” :] It’s so wonderful.
Comment by symmetry —
3/30/2006 @ 9:06 pm
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I love this idea, but I’m a bit worried that if I did this it might encourage people to attack the tree, which happens round here far too much as it is.
*lives in an area with a lot of fire-scarred trees*
Comment by Vashti —
3/30/2006 @ 11:43 pm
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HAHAHAHA AWESOME!
this blog entry just reached germany - so greetings from here!
Comment by Tobi! —
3/31/2006 @ 6:13 am
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Have you seen this new york artist who showed at cornish college a few months ago? very cool…
www.heather-hart.com/sculpture.html
Comment by Charlotte —
3/31/2006 @ 9:15 am
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Just be sure to use a yarn which won’t trap water against the trunk - you don’t want to encourage mold or pests to attack the tree.
Otherwise, very cute.
Comment by BJM —
3/31/2006 @ 9:28 am
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I love it! Did a random passerby put the picture on the magazine, or is that your magazine, because it is very cool. Reminds me of the Knitta tags, but with more character.
Comment by Ashley —
3/31/2006 @ 9:35 am
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Erika - Thank you for this bit of urban creativity and caring.
Comment by Delica —
3/31/2006 @ 6:55 pm
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This is art.
Comment by oynreb —
4/1/2006 @ 1:07 pm
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WOW! Could become a world wide movement of something. Don’t know what kind of movement at this moment but when needed: dutch treeknitters will join!
Comment by froukje —
4/1/2006 @ 2:14 pm
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In Atlanta I’ve seen two street signs with shoes on them–painted plywood shoe bolted to the bottom of the sign. One on N. Highland north of Ponce and one in Cabbagetown.
Comment by Lane —
4/1/2006 @ 10:19 pm
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[…] it le blog d’Erika et de son Tree Sweater. A moi aussi l’idée a beaucoup plû, et j’ai eu envie de tricoter à mon tour […]
Pingback by Blog Tricofolk » Toujours là… —
4/2/2006 @ 9:26 am
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http://www.myspace.com/knittaplease
Comment by poopscape —
4/2/2006 @ 5:08 pm
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I saw your sweater on the cover of The Stranger and thought it very sweet. How cool to read the story behind it and with your photos! Thanks for helping to make Seattle an even prettier place.
Comment by Cathy G in Seattle —
4/2/2006 @ 9:52 pm
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oh wonderful: a new movement has born!
I would love to knit some sweaters for the dutch trees
good on you!!
Comment by astrid persons —
4/3/2006 @ 8:06 am
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funnily enough i had the idea to do the exact same thing about 4 years ago. i was talking with an old friend up from kansas city and we were joking around about how the trees looked cold, and i told her to make some tree sweaters. she never did anything about it, but i’m glad someone did! i’ll have to pass this on to her! that is so awesome.
Comment by travis —
4/3/2006 @ 12:30 pm
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I’m in Canada (west coast) and received your blog from my son in Japan. Great idea. Love it!!! Now I’ll get busy and carry on your work in this part of the world.
Comment by Shirley —
4/3/2006 @ 6:08 pm
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[…] e. I dunno what it is, but there was something about this one-armed tree-sweater that filled me with pathos … Leave a reply […]
Pingback by lian chang . cc is under extensive tweaking » Cute threads —
4/4/2006 @ 10:26 pm
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Great project! Gave me a good chuckle. I don’t know if you’ve seen this site or not, but someone sent it to me once. I thought you’d get a kick out of it, as it is knitted artwork. http://www.yumlum.com/galleries/knitwear/knitwear_art.htm
Comment by Pmm32183 —
4/8/2006 @ 9:06 pm
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[…] oodness People need to be nicer to trees This is a good start. link […]
Pingback by radio ball dot net » Blog Archive » People need to be nicer to trees —
4/9/2006 @ 8:09 pm
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This is so awesome.. must.. learn.. to knit..
Thanks! This made my day.
Comment by ian! —
4/9/2006 @ 8:09 pm
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[…] g så sorgligt och fruset ut så hon stickade en liten kofta till det. På hennes blogg kan man följa utvecklingen och även se mönstret om man vill sticka sin egen trädkofta. […]
Pingback by Vargklo » Blog Archive » Trädkofta —
4/10/2006 @ 9:37 am
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i have seen this a few different places and everytime i see it i am all “how frickin cute!” anew! my idea for the sweater that might hold up better (?) hemp is rot proof and really strong, as is ramie, and some other things like that. whilst they are not super soft, i think a tree wouldn’t be such a crybaby as me when faced with a non-pima cotton garment. you know? ok, that said, i really do plan to make one, despit it being spring now, but maybe i can do one that is a bit more summery. that said, i love your amazing ideas. so inspiring.
Comment by natasha —
4/11/2006 @ 2:47 pm
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[…]
Erika’s Knitting Blog - Redshirt Knitting » Tree Sweater I could see myself doing this in […]
Pingback by Squid Action » Untitled —
4/11/2006 @ 3:26 pm
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told my son i wanted to take up knitting. this beautiful tree sweater confirms my decision..thanks…
Comment by joon —
4/12/2006 @ 11:08 pm
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well done first time i c sumthing like that
Comment by morne —
4/13/2006 @ 9:44 am
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i saw this link on the blog i share with my friend, heather. the tree sweater is just too much fun! makes me wonder what other stationary objects could be sweaterized…
Comment by Tammy O. —
4/13/2006 @ 9:57 am
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precious! I love the idea; I might just have to make one myself.
and congrats on your new-found fame!
Comment by kelli —
4/13/2006 @ 3:01 pm
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It makes me feel real cosy that you care!
Comment by linda —
4/14/2006 @ 1:38 pm
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What if tree sweaters were cardigans? Then they could easily be taken off, mended, washed,etc. As cardigans, you could make a killing selling them. But dont do that… Whimsy should not be about money
Lovely idead, made me smile.
Comment by Pam Shorey —
4/15/2006 @ 6:41 am
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so sad to see his wee removed limb removed in a savage attempt to remove the sweater. but on a brighter note the tree and sweater made cuteoverload.com congrats and great work/site!!!!!
Comment by gardenhoe —
4/15/2006 @ 2:21 pm
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What happens when it rains? Nobody likes wearing a rain-soaked sweater!
The thought of it makes me sadder than a naked tree without a sweater.
Somebody, quick, make a tree raincoat or tree poncho to keep the tree sweater dry!
Comment by Defenestrated Pocky Sticks —
4/15/2006 @ 2:39 pm
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This is just the sweetest art ever! I adore the love behind it.. and the delightful caring it shows! Beautiful !
‘
Peace and love!
Ngaire In Brisbane, Australia
Comment by Ngaire —
4/15/2006 @ 2:47 pm
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Hi Erika,
I was catching up on Cute Overload and I saw your fantastic stripling sweater. This winter was a bit colder than usual in Scotland - I think we need some of those wonderful little sweaters here. So simple - so brilliant.
cheers, Annette - Edinburgh, Scotland
Comment by Annette —
4/15/2006 @ 3:20 pm
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Oh, this is fantastic!! You are fighting the fight for trees and anthropomorphists everywhere, LOL!
Good on ya.
Comment by pheral —
4/15/2006 @ 5:10 pm
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Sooo CUTE!! It will be winter here soon and there will be so many trees needing stylish attire! Well done and best wishes from New Zealand.
Comment by Teri —
4/15/2006 @ 5:49 pm
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that is the cutest thing I ever saw. I always worry about the trees that don’t get decorated at Christmas time–do they feel it if the tree next door is lit up and they are not? thank you!
Comment by angela —
4/15/2006 @ 6:58 pm
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Malia Jensen did something similar to this in 2002 at Jamison Park in the Pearl district in Portland, Oregon. She made “slips” for the trees growing along the eastern edge of the park. I’ve included a link in the URL section of my comments. If you go there and then click on the link called “Jensen’s Inventory”, and then go to the fourth or fifth image you can sort of see what she was doing. It’s not the best photo, but when I saw the image at cuteoverload I immediately thought of her.
Comment by Charles Powne —
4/15/2006 @ 9:03 pm
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It takes so little - something whimsical like a tree sweater - to lift the spirits of so many. Such a gentle way to change the world. The ripple in your little pond, Erika, seems to have become a giant wave, giving us one more reason to believe that we, all over the world, want the same things: Peace, Love, Serenity and Laughter.
Thank you.
Comment by Victoria —
4/15/2006 @ 11:25 pm
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i also saw the tree sweater on cute overload and followed the link here. i love it! it’s amazing to think that a small gesture like that can turn into so much! and i like the symbolisim. it *is* cute, funny and alittle sad (maybe lonely?). i feel like giving the tree a hug or something!
and i like that now the gardener left alittle stumpy, it’s so damn tender, i can’t stand it!!!!!!!! this tree and it’s sweater is too cute. i feel so warm & fuzzy now.
Comment by one time darlin —
4/16/2006 @ 12:19 am
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so in the summer, will you be knitting the tree a hawaiian shirt?
Comment by bethany —
4/16/2006 @ 6:46 am
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So, i read cute overload every morning cause i like a little cute to start off my day and i came across your little tree sweater. I must say it is the most heartwarming thing i have seen in several days. So often we (in western culture) see only the negative impacts of the human race against nature (not that we are in any way seperate from nature, but i digress) that it is a great show of the human warmth towards our enviroment and nature that you knitted this little tree a sweater. Your little sweater is a big show of human kindness and compassion.
thank you
Comment by tea lights —
4/16/2006 @ 9:24 am
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Haha, that is just too much…it’ll be great for Earth Day. It lit up my day…how simple, yet artistic, and all the while shows that some people really do care. Thank goodness. And thank you so much for showing this!
Comment by Lisa —
4/16/2006 @ 10:33 am
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I found this on Cute Overload too. Erika, you’re my kind of girl and too bad there aren’t more of you in the world. Utterly wonderful. As the late great Ann Landers used to say, thanks for the upper.
Comment by Sharkbabe —
4/16/2006 @ 11:50 am
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Tree sweaters are the opposite of thneeds. Remember the Lorax? In Dr. Seuss’s most perfect book, the Onceler cuts down all the truffula trees to make sweaterlike garments called thneeds. He romps through the entire forest, and all the barbaloots and swommee swans have to leave due to the environmental degradation of unfettered capitalism.
I hope you have brown barbaloot sightings in Seattle soon.
Chris
Comment by Chris in St Pete —
4/16/2006 @ 3:42 pm
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I found the photo of the tree sweater on Cuteoverload.com and showed it to a friend. She triggered a memory of a friend who had a Goddess invocation that applies here:
“I am the Mother of All Things and All Things must wear a sweater!”
Comment by Holly Kim —
4/16/2006 @ 4:28 pm
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adorable!
maybe it should have a kicky blouse for spring?
Comment by hapto —
4/16/2006 @ 7:37 pm
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I’m gonna make one of these — next fall, in cotton lace and place it somewhere in Portland Oregon! Wonderful, Wonderful and thanks so much for this idea.
ART lives in the yarning community
Aimee
who usually is a dainty knitter of shawls
Comment by Aimee —
4/16/2006 @ 7:53 pm
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That’s awesome
You’re cool.
Comment by Ray —
4/16/2006 @ 9:45 pm
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Erika,
Your tree sweater is clever. My friend sent me the link, not sure where he found it.
It is interesting how much conversation a little bit of yarn and an hour or so of your time has created. You say the tree sweater is a little worse for wear. Do you have any recent photos of it?
Meg in PA
Comment by Meg —
4/17/2006 @ 6:25 am
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I saw this on cuteoverload.com too. What a cool idea! And I like how you made the sweater because you were truly concerned about the tree’s well-being! * Good job, Erika! *
On my way to work in the morning, I pass 2 big trees in someone’s front yard that have FACES on them, and THAT always makes me feel whimsical when I see them. Each tree has attached tree-colored (ceramic?) eyes, nose and mouth…&:o)
Comment by Judi —
4/17/2006 @ 7:06 am
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Your work reminds me of Janet Morton’s. Are you familiar with her? She’s a Canadian artist, and a total genius.
link
Comment by Martine —
4/17/2006 @ 7:55 am
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Mad! The world needs more such madness, i.e. the compassionate, creative, tree-hugging kind. I love this. Greetings from the Scottish Highlands.
Comment by Aelfwyn —
4/17/2006 @ 8:01 am
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you are also on www.digg.com so everyone that loves the tree sweater can go to digg and digg it!
http://digg.com/search?search=tree+sweater&submit=Submit
very cute idea!!
Comment by Raven —
4/17/2006 @ 10:02 am
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well it is nice to see in this poor misguided world we live in, under the overwelming threat of nuclear war, thanks to you president. that someone give’s a damn about the really important things on this lonely planet, top drawer, well done! andy uk.
Comment by huff_diggler —
4/17/2006 @ 10:29 am
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I think I might love you.
Comment by TheIdleReceptionist —
4/17/2006 @ 1:00 pm
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a friend fwd’d this to me and it made my day, thanks!
, the color, the basis of creation… the lead up about seeing this pathetic charlie brown tree w 5 leaves, you really presented a backstory that we all could sympathize with. your work shows compassion, mixed in with a big dose of humor and whimsy… and we seattlelites can relate to that wet barren winter starkness, so it lifts our spirits to see that little cute sweater on the tree.
the big difference that makes your sweater cuter than other similar projects is the ’sweaterness’ of it: the proportions, the ‘monosleeve’
thanks for the inspiration!
Comment by bozo —
4/17/2006 @ 1:30 pm
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I could not love this more.
Comment by Maya Papaya —
4/17/2006 @ 4:15 pm
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We were thinking you could use grass clippings in the summer to make it a hula skirt.
Comment by Marian —
4/17/2006 @ 8:03 pm
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Hey! I’m in Eastlake - I should look for that tree! I’d do a sweater for some poor shivering woody-type-friend (er, but not THAT kind of woody type friend).
Comment by moiraeknits —
4/17/2006 @ 9:26 pm
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I am perplexed at how happy this tree sweater makes me. But it fills me with joy. Why is this? I don’t know. ‘Cept I keep sending out this link because Happy Tree Sweater has brightened my day. I got here from Cuteoverload.com, and I’m sure a lot of people did as well.
Thanks for making me happy today.
Comment by Skye Henderson —
4/18/2006 @ 6:40 am
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I absolutely love love love your sweater. This really made me smile this morning and if I had done that for someone, I would want to know. You deserve all the compliments.
Comment by Missy —
4/18/2006 @ 7:40 am
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Missy (the post ahead of mine) is my sister- in-law, she posted it as something surely to make us smile- and it did. In Texas we should put bathing siuts on trees. Your sweater is quite adorable and the world is a better place with you in it.
Comment by Kimierk —
4/19/2006 @ 9:50 am
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[…] « colour!
Tree Sweater
April 19th, 2006
This tree sweater is the cutest! Too bad I just went through my stash and got rid of all of my scraps and cra […]
Pingback by ::: tyttö ::: » Blog Archive » Tree Sweater —
4/19/2006 @ 6:54 pm
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Oh, what a nice little story and what a nice little sweater for a little sad tree.
Love Olga from Denmark
Comment by Olga —
4/20/2006 @ 1:35 am
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Long live the tree sweater…kudos on a job well done!
Comment by Hachie Gal —
4/20/2006 @ 11:28 am
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Wow wow i love this!!!! Some see a silly sweater i see an artist and a tree lover at work!!!Im living in indiana and from Seattle, (born and raised there) I will be there the end of June and will look for your tree sweater Yea! Marion
Comment by Marion —
4/20/2006 @ 11:35 am
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You certainly have brought a great deal of happiness to a lot of people all over the world!! Why is knitting a sweater for a tree any different from making items to ‘dress’ a Christmas tree!!! Well done and thank you for the ’smile’
Comment by Iona from Scotland —
4/21/2006 @ 7:07 am
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In all the many trees I’ve seen in my life (born and raised in Oregon, currently living in Arkansas…long story) I’ve never thought of or seen a treesweater. My best friend still lives in Salem with her own business “theribbonjar.com” and blog “lifeincolor.typepad.com” and she is very crafty and loves to knit. She directed me toward your treesweater via her blog because she thought it was so cute. Thanks for making my day and reminding me how wonderful the Northwest is!
Comment by Ceara —
4/21/2006 @ 6:47 pm
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i used to be a tree surgeon in england and used to work on trees,and have never seen a tree sweater before,it looks like a good idea nice one erika
Comment by linton hack —
4/22/2006 @ 10:31 am
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hey i like to think that spider found a beautiful place to bring up a family (:
Comment by johnie1 —
4/22/2006 @ 3:42 pm
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You’re awesome! Treesweater totally made me smile this morning. Thank you!
Comment by Mary Van Note —
4/24/2006 @ 9:38 am
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This is so neat! I love seeing examples of whimsical creativity, in this age of cynicism. Word of the treesweater has now officially reached North Dakota. I heard it first on the Girls Only discussion group on SuicideGirls.com, so there are at least 1116 members who are grinning and giggling at the little tree. Just thought you’d like to know.
Comment by Roz Corwin —
4/25/2006 @ 1:41 pm
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Toooo much fun!!! I just finished one for the skinny maple tree in the front yard. I’m in a quiet cul-de-sac, so I don’t anticipate any crowds…just some confusion from my neighbor, who doesn’t “get” spongebob either…. My granddaughter looked at it and then asked, “what about it’s hat?” so……
Comment by Sandie —
4/26/2006 @ 1:10 am
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What a lovely sweet tender thing to do…. You are the best… I love trees too and I think you are great… Keep knitting and doing your art!
Comment by Susan in Oklahoma —
4/26/2006 @ 9:33 am
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Wow, thats soo cool! Now the tree looks so happy! Good job making a trees day!
p.s. I think every tree should have one of thease!!
Comment by anna —
4/28/2006 @ 2:12 am
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omg go trees!
Comment by Paige —
4/28/2006 @ 1:12 pm
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I just love this whole story.
Comment by alison —
5/1/2006 @ 10:04 am
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Nice one! Keep it up, this made my day.
Comment by Steve —
5/2/2006 @ 6:11 am
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OMG!! Heartless TreeSweater Thieves!!!
On the other hand, gf has alternate theory…
She sings, “If you want to destroy my sweater… Hold this thread as I walk away… watch me unravel, I’ll soon be naked… ”
Maybe someone was holding the thread as the tree tried to escape.
Sooooo…. new pics of new sweater?
Comment by Walter —
5/5/2006 @ 6:05 pm
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I love your tree sweater. I saw something similar at “Sculpture by the Sea” in Sydney a few years ago & yours had me giggling all over again.
Here’s a link to a site with a pic of said tree (aprox half way down page): http://www.seenthat.netfirms.com/seasculp.htm
Comment by Richard —
5/11/2006 @ 11:36 pm
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UR PROJECT IS NICE
UNSUAL PROJECT
Comment by savita —
5/13/2006 @ 6:13 am
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i am the lorax i speak for the trees! the trees say they need sweaters.
sincerly the lorax
Comment by donna —
5/15/2006 @ 8:13 pm
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That’s so great. I love the sweater. City trees can look so sad, this is the best thing ever. And I wouldn’t worry too much about the sweater inhibiting tree growth. I’ve seen a tree that grew through a chain-link fence. It would either tear the sweater or simply grow around the sweater.
Comment by Sandra —
5/15/2006 @ 9:36 pm
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I love it. It’s a brilliant idea. I am blogging about this! =D
Comment by Cin —
5/16/2006 @ 2:10 pm
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There is now a miniskirt.
Comment by Philbert —
5/22/2006 @ 12:25 pm
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HEY GIRL HOW YOU DOIN
ITS YOUR GIRL JASMINE DOING IT BIG IN UHS I SAW YOUR WEBSITE ITS TYPE TIGHT ANY WY GIVE YOUR GIRL A HOLLA
lOVE YOU BIYATCH
WRITE ME BACK
LOVE YA
Comment by JASMINE —
5/23/2006 @ 5:53 am
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I dont know! It’s funny though!
Comment by ??????? —
6/9/2006 @ 1:23 pm
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ERIKA!@# hooray for treesweater! hooray for you!
Comment by Tobyn —
6/9/2006 @ 9:54 pm
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I LOVE your hat sweater!! This is the answer to my prayer!! We have this really ugly little evergreen on our front lawn that looks like a giant green poop. All our neighbours have these beautiful goreous tree and I feel bad for our tree. You have any ideas what I can knit to make it a happy tree again?
Thanks!!
Comment by Totoro —
6/11/2006 @ 5:50 pm
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So can we get a picture of the new tree sweater?
Comment by Genevieve —
6/13/2006 @ 12:49 pm
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I saw the tree sweater on cuteoverload.com and thought is was very sweet. Then, last week I realized I have been driving past it on my way home from work for months! I was so excited when I saw that teeny-tiny sweater on the smallest tree on the block. You can’t help but smile when you see it. Thanks!
Comment by Sheri —
6/13/2006 @ 2:57 pm
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OMG, that is soooooooooooooo totally cute. When I looked at it I just went ‘Aww.’and i couldn’t help but smile and laugh. It is such a good idea. I wouldn’t be suprised if it became a GREATGREATGREAT fashion trend.
I like people with creativity, and the strength to ‘keep their own’ (in other words, do something WAAAY out of the ordinary!)The TreeSweaters totally rock! You should get it patented and start you own buisness! People like me would LURVE it! Also, (if you like the bussiness idea) you could export it to Australia and other countries that could do with a little pep up! (Trust me, I live in Australia!) People with creativity ROCK SO TOTALLY! Thankyou for giving us the inspiration to ’step out of the square’!!!!!!! I’m SOOOO going to learn to knit, and then I’ll make a TreeSweater!
Comment by Agree_with_TreeSweaters! —
6/14/2006 @ 2:22 am
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you’ve GOT to check out “knitta please!”
http://www.knittaplease.com/Home.html
knitting graffiti gone wild!
Comment by becky —
6/14/2006 @ 7:40 am
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your inspired gift for a lonely tree reminded me of a festival that I’ve read about in Australia … in Warwick, Queensland they have an outdoor textile exhibition where all the trees in the CBD get fancy jumpers for the festival week - no pics on the website … but your adorable pic would still be the cutest!
http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/events/jumpers-and-jazz-in-july/index.cfm
Comment by wendy —
6/15/2006 @ 11:25 pm
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whatever you do… don’t make more.
its interesting because its unique. A single tree with a sweater on it makes people question things. Who did this? Why? For what purpose? Why does it seem so poignant?
An entire street with every tree wrapped it sweaters is initially boggling and impressive but it doesn’t really move people the same way a single contrasting element can. Leave it at one tree and one sweater. It adds to the sense of mystery.
Comment by chris —
6/21/2006 @ 5:29 pm
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Thank you, Chris! You managed to distill down everything I’ve been feeling about the Treesweater in a tidy package. Exactly!
Comment by Erika —
6/21/2006 @ 6:58 pm
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At first, when I saw this Sweater Tree on Cute Overload, my reaction was “WTF?”
But I must say, this is so very whimsical and imaginative. Poor little city tree! I imagine people walking by on their way to work must get a nice chuckle to start their day. “Guess what! I saw a tree wearing a sweater!”
I contemplated crocheting (I don’t knit) a sweater for the silver maple in my front yard.
In the beginning, it came as a tiny stick from the Arbor Day Foundation. My neighbors laughed at it. They preferred to purchase “pre-grown” trees to plant in their yards. Now “The Stick” is tall, magnificient, and the envy of all the neighbors.
However, the weather is extremely hot here for about 11 months of the year, so a sweater is out of the question!
Perhaps a tank top that says “Who’s Laughing Now?” and a modified pair of boxer shorts will do the trick.
Thanks for creating cheerful little moments in the world.
Comment by Hypatia —
7/2/2006 @ 1:37 pm
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Erika, I really love this - you’ll have brought a smile to the faces of hundreds of passers-by!
I’ve blogged about it:
http://busstop.typepad.com/blog/2006/07/tree_sweater.html
I’ve used your photo, but credited you - if this isn’t OK just let me know and I’ll remove it.
Comment by Kristen (Thoughts from the Bus Stop) —
7/3/2006 @ 7:34 am
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Can’t stop grinnning. Thanks!
Comment by Beatrice —
7/7/2006 @ 10:27 pm
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Adorable. Perfect.
Comment by Psyche —
7/12/2006 @ 10:04 am
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Math Professor’s faxDear Wife: You must realize that you are 54-years-old, and I have certain needs which you are no longer able to satisfy. I am otherwise happy with you as my wife, and I sincerely hope you will not be hurt or offended to learn that by the time you receive this letter, I will be at the Grand Hotel with my 18-year-old teaching assistant. I’ll be home before midnight. Your HusbandWhen he arrived at the hotel, there was a faxed letter waiting for him that read as follows:Dear Husband: You, too, are 54-years-old and by the time you receive this letter, I will be at the Breakwater Hotel with the 18-year-old pool boy. Being the brilliant mathematician that you are, you can easily appreciate the fact that 18 goes into 54 a lot more times than 54 goes into 18.Don’t wait up
Comment by Eleonor Memo —
7/12/2006 @ 5:49 pm
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I am one of the firm believers taht plants have genuine feelings and ‘emotions’, of sorts. When My sister showed me your site for the first time, I died. Them came back to life somehow. And died again.
I’m sure that little tree appreciates your efforts, and the love it has received from you and the others who are giving it the attention it deserves are making it feel much, much better.
Cause lets face it, being a sidewalk tree in a big city kind of sucks.
Comment by Amy B. —
7/23/2006 @ 4:05 pm
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I love this idea! How ever did you think of it???
Comment by Barbara —
7/27/2006 @ 12:39 pm
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I love the treesweater and the denim skirt. Every tree needs to have it’s crotches covered in this way.
I’m starting the Society Against Naked Indecent Trees Yearround, Or S.A.N.I.T.Y.
Please join by emailing me at osagyefu@yahoo.com
Comment by NUMBNUTS —
7/30/2006 @ 7:48 am
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Can you change the skirt? its turning me on. Thats a fine peice of wood. Infact that wood gave me wood.
Comment by BnH —
8/2/2006 @ 6:55 pm
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Ach, the puns!!!
Comment by Erika —
8/2/2006 @ 7:19 pm
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It’s the middle of the night in Montreal and I cannot sleep.Found this via Cute overload and now at least I am smiling.
Thanks!
Comment by eva —
8/3/2006 @ 10:18 pm
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i have never seen anything so sad/cute very touching
Comment by deanna —
8/6/2006 @ 12:49 pm
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Great sweater! Could I get that pattern?
Comment by leb —
8/9/2006 @ 8:43 pm
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Absolutely, Leb! It’s here - you may need to customize it to fit your own tree.
The original treesweater’s arm wouldn’t fit over the branch (which was chopped before Treesweater2 had to be deployed). For a one-branched tree where the sleeve won’t fit over the branch, you’ll need to knit the body as a rectangle with a horizontal slit about 2 inches long, midway up one side of the rectangle. Then set the sleeve into this slit, but don’t seam the sleeve closed.
The final result will be a Y-shaped seam. Imagine sewing a mitten onto your hand - the seam goes vertically from your middle finger to your wrist, and then from your thumb horizontally to that middle seam.
Comment by Erika —
8/9/2006 @ 10:02 pm
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I seriously live in the woods. It would be like a tree revolution !The neighbors already think I’m nutty. This would really make them talk !
Comment by leb —
8/10/2006 @ 11:22 am
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Erika, I think that it was a cute idea and it also made my day when I seen the picture of the Treesweater on the tree. My sister sent it to me and I really like it.
Comment by Angel —
8/23/2006 @ 4:45 pm
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Great work!!! That made my day! Hahahaha…
Comment by -_-" —
8/24/2006 @ 5:34 am
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[…] ne another…for one knitter, they did. This is a very interesting/amusing blog post Tree Sweater Blog Post
By: Maria | 2006/08/24 | Uncategorized | Trackback | Comments [R […]
Pingback by Maria’s Ramblings. » Blog Archive » Does your tree need a sweater? —
8/24/2006 @ 8:12 am
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I cannot even believe how delighted Tree Sweater makes me. Thank you.
Comment by Blondie —
9/8/2006 @ 8:48 pm
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My friend just sent me this URL because a few years ago I “adopted” a tree on the street and planted a garden around it.
I love your tree sweater! And I love your blog documenting it all. You are awesome! The world is a better place with people like you in it.
Comment by Xine —
9/9/2006 @ 9:57 am
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Hi! just read about the tree sweater-what a corny idea!But so cute!I’ve been laughing ever since I saw it!
Marit from Norway
Comment by Marit —
9/10/2006 @ 2:47 pm
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Hi Erika! I found your site months ago and check back regularly to see the comments - imagine my surprise at finding your beatiful tree sweater in my morning Metro (London paper)! I have put the article up on my site so you can see it!
http://www.tellycars.com/treesweater.jpg
Keep up the good vibes!
Cass
Comment by Cassandra —
9/11/2006 @ 2:30 am
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Erika Your treesweater was in the British Paper today. What can I say!! It made my day.
Comment by Debra —
9/11/2006 @ 4:18 am
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What, no image?
Comment by Anonymous —
9/16/2006 @ 1:48 am
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The treesweater is the cutest article of clothing I’ve seen in a long time! It makes me very happy. Do you know that it was blogged by Cute Overload?
http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute_overload/2006/04/ridiculous_tree.html
Comment by Pavoreal —
9/26/2006 @ 1:34 pm
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Just saw a link on cuteoverload for this, it’s so sweet, shame you always get the few who complain! No harm done!
Comment by Jade —
9/28/2006 @ 1:34 pm
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I’m so happy there’s people like you in the world. A messie from Rachelle in Nova Scotia, Canada. Merci.
Comment by Rachelle —
10/12/2006 @ 3:02 pm
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Won’t you consider knitting a sweater for a poor naked statue outside shivering (well, not shivering, exactly, but you know what I meant) in the cold? Or you could knit tiny, two-dimensional garments for the people in the paintings at the Dallas Museum of Art?
Comment by RichM —
10/19/2006 @ 10:37 am
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Such a wonderful idea! Now I have to find a tree and knit a sweater, too.
Comment by Suvi —
10/21/2006 @ 6:14 am
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Wonderful! Thank you!
I have a car with an open top and found someone had thrown his fast food refuse into it while passing by, using it as a trashcan. I felt very cynical. But now I’ve been reminded there are people like you around.
Comment by Daddyo —
10/25/2006 @ 4:34 pm
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This is such a wonderful and ADORABLE idea!
Comment by Susan —
10/28/2006 @ 1:36 am
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In a world where cynicism is king, your tree sweater is quite a refreshing change! Way to go!
Comment by Kate —
10/31/2006 @ 11:50 am
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your tree needs a mitten for its little stump. i’d knit one for it but i’m on the wrong side of the country.
Comment by bunnysquirrel —
11/2/2006 @ 12:56 am
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i’d recommend that you immediately contact your contemporaries Christo and Jeanne-Claude to compare notes on your public art display….:) truly artistic.
Comment by pm —
11/2/2006 @ 9:09 am
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Love your tree sweater. Inspired by it and a few other knitted graffiti acts we are making a scarf for a Trafalgar Square lion but since London is a little strict on people sneaking about attaching things to things nowadays we are going about if officially and raising money for Cancer Research with it.
Thanks for being so inspiring and come along to our website if you want to join in with the giant scarf!
Stitch and Bitch London
Comment by Stitch and Bitch London —
11/9/2006 @ 12:24 pm
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That is so excellent! Count me in!
Comment by Erika —
11/9/2006 @ 1:55 pm
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I do not hang electric things on my tree co-inhabitants of this land. Electrons whizzing around generating EMF fields is not something trees like or need. Just like I wouldn’t hang electric-conducting cords on myself.
I do hang light Shiny Things on some to twinkle in the dim Puget winter light.
But what they want more than humans contributing to global warming by wasting electricity in the season of sweet dark is little things. A bit of water during a drought. A clean prune where a branch is torn. A word of kindness. A hello on a cold morning. A thank you after they stay rooted in a miserable windstorm.
Urban trees have difficult lives. They are the chloroplastic pigeons, only unlike the little doves, they can’t fly away. Despite human ignorance and sometimes meanness, they do their best to thrive, in the hopes that some day we will go away, and they can bust up the asphalt, and regreen the planet.
We ask so very much of them, on our terms. Loving a little tree–or even a concrete-crack-rooted small weed–does much to keep the green alive where it’s needed most. Not in the world…in the human soul.
Pakkana
Comment by Pakkana —
11/14/2006 @ 2:59 am
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this is the nicest thing i have read in a long time, what a great idea ^_^ Really cool seeing it on the cover of a magazine. Makes me want to learn to knit.
Comment by Dink —
11/17/2006 @ 2:18 pm
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Love the treesweater. What about a treeraincoat? I am in Texas also and although I don’t think the treesweater is necessary maybe a tree-tanktop?
Thanks for the laugh.
Comment by dorothy —
11/18/2006 @ 2:00 pm
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this has made my whole day. It’s too much Cute! It’s unbearable! I noticed though, that in one of those pics the tree looks rather leafy and not nearly so sad. I think you made it happier. ^-^
Comment by Amy —
11/21/2006 @ 3:40 pm
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A friend of mine sent me a picture of your treesweater this morning, and I just wanted to let you know that is made my day. I know I’m a bit late to the party on this, but I just wanted to give you a thumbs-up on such a delightful, clever, and sweet-natured idea. Sort of like Charlie Brown decorating that sad little Xmas tree….
Comment by Gregg P. —
12/13/2006 @ 8:15 am
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Hi Erica:
I think your tree sweater is so cool. I’m planning on making one for one of the trees in Walla Walla, WA. I lived in Seattle for over 20 years, then moved to Southern California to live with my new husband for 3 years, then to Northern California where we bought 16 acres, then he went into business with a friend in Walla Walla, which is why we’re back in WA. I miss Seattle a lot, but my 22-year young daughter lives in Seattle still. It will be nice to meet someone from my “home town” seeing Seattle was more of a home ot me than where I lived when I was with my folks/stepfolks in WI. Take care…and I loved that the Stranger put your tree sweater on the front page. How wonderful for you!!!!
Comment by Jet Tenley —
12/16/2006 @ 8:10 am
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hi Erika, Just found your treesweater…what a great giggle I got from it….did you dress the tree for the holidays? have you got an updated picture? Thanks for the laugh.
Comment by CJ —
1/5/2007 @ 5:26 am
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I am … speechless … well, only mostly.
It’s comforting to know that I’m not the only person in the world who takes pity on inanimate objects! “Sidewalk trees” have always made me go “Aww!” and your tree sweater is brilliant. If I could knit I’d make one for our poor dogwood, which was planted by our home’s original owners in a less-than-desirable location, and suffers horribly through the summer.
Then again, maybe a sweater isn’t what it needs - it needs a huge sombrero!!!
Comment by Oropher —
1/6/2007 @ 3:34 pm
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Yay!!!
This is a superb idea! Kudos to you! The tree sweater is funny, cool and very cute. There are lots of little trees out there shivering with cold!!!
Knitters around the world, you have a mission!
Comment by miu —
1/9/2007 @ 4:55 am
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noob
Comment by Anonymous —
1/15/2007 @ 4:36 am
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This is amazing. I wish I could knit. I want to make sweaters for all kind of things. Fire hydrants, benches, lawn ornaments, my car…
Comment by Barry —
1/17/2007 @ 11:11 pm
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LOL Barry, I thinky ou may be pleased with this site then:
www.knittaplease.com
Comment by Amy —
1/22/2007 @ 9:26 am
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Hey Erika, i think this is the lamest project ever. If you have enough time on your hands to make a tree sweater, you might as well make a living out of it i mean there are tons of cold trees out there, and you can just imagine the polar ice caps in Antarctica, so you could knit stuff for them, though one of the average diametres is like more than 25 miles squares no joke
Comment by Hannah & Sarah —
1/23/2007 @ 9:41 pm
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When you fisrt learn to knit, you knit and knit and knit and come out with a huge piece of knitted material that you don’t know what to do with. Now we know, soneone should collect them and piece together an ice glacier cozy. New knitters unite!
Comment by CJ —
1/28/2007 @ 5:50 am
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This has made me laugh so much - I absolutely love your tree sweater and can only imagine how much joy it has given to passers by! Whimsical in the extreme.
Comment by Wendy —
2/1/2007 @ 6:50 pm
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this is so cool. thanks for being inspired and creatively knitting ms. tree a sweater. bet you had no idea how this was going to become such a big deal! i think you’ve made the tree very happy. (kudos for the mini skirt too. very funny)
Comment by jen —
3/5/2007 @ 9:16 am
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[…] Today, I was interested to note that Reshirt Knitting, the blog of the inventor of the tree sweater, has launched a small debate on religious diversity, specifically pertaining to the very common practice of (non-religious) community organizations, such as knitting guilds, to hold meetings in church spaces. […]
Pingback by Gramarye » Blog Archive » Knitting: The one place I didn’t expect athiest v. christian controversy —
3/22/2007 @ 1:07 pm
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Hi, I found a link to your site through Cute Overload…the treesweater is seriously the most whimsical and adorable thing I’ve seen in a long time…excellent work!
Comment by Ashley —
3/27/2007 @ 9:48 am
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I want to learn to knit so I can make a sweater for my tree! Thanks so much for showing us the way.
Comment by Margaret —
3/27/2007 @ 10:28 am
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Love the ongoing saga! what a terrifically, uniquely odd idea (in a really funny way!)
Comment by Amelia —
3/28/2007 @ 9:29 am
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Greetings from Atlanta! Please consider updating the Tree Sweater story with new pics, etc.
Such small things in life can make us smile…
Thanks to Cute Overload for mentioning this yet again…
Comment by Trixie in Dixie —
3/28/2007 @ 10:28 am
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This is hysterical. I can’t believe I actually read thru all this. I want to make one for the tree in the park nearby that’s hugging itself, now.
Comment by Becca —
3/28/2007 @ 10:14 pm
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You need to get laid. Or jump from a very tall building. Or get laid while jumping from a very tall building.
Have fun.
Comment by Tacgnol —
4/6/2007 @ 12:53 pm
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Tacgnol, what a sweet thing to say! I accept your proposal. Meet me on the roof of the Columbia Tower, Caturday at noon. Bring yarn.
Comment by Erika —
4/6/2007 @ 2:31 pm
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yeah, and if you’re not there, he can start the jump without you.
Comment by cj —
4/7/2007 @ 4:57 am
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cool blog!
Comment by emma —
4/9/2007 @ 2:40 am
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It gives treehugger a whole new meaning. It does make me smile.
Deb
Comment by Deb —
4/16/2007 @ 1:51 pm
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What fun! It is great to find people who see the whimsy in life, and are not afraid to act upon it. And look at what it has brought you, and thousands of others. Oh, please, don’t ever lose that precious quality! Thanks for making my day!
Comment by Janet —
4/27/2007 @ 12:40 am
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Tree sweater is precious! You’ve heard of random acts of kindness? This is a random act of humor, not much different. Makes people laugh, in a warm way. “Wonder who did that? Wonder why? What a whimsical thing to do!”
Comment by Carol —
4/29/2007 @ 4:45 pm
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Nature is beautiful without anything hung on it. i think trees unornamented are the penultimate, nothing a human being can possibly do except take care of it is necessary.
Comment by Anonymous —
6/24/2007 @ 8:43 pm
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Seriously, “Anonymous,” loosen up and get the tree branch out of your ass. Don’t take everything in life so seriously. I promise the tree doesn’t mind the sweater! If you don’t like it then don’t participate, but leave those who find the whimsy, beauty and happiness in it alone. And by the way, you misused the word penultimate.
Comment by Allison —
7/19/2007 @ 2:15 pm
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Hi Erika, Didn’t you used to have a link to an artist who did a huge brightly colored autumn-hued tree sweater?
I’d like to see it again. Would you please send it to me?
Love your sweater and your story!
Comment by bsteph —
7/25/2007 @ 9:53 pm
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AS a long time tree hugger with no appoligies made … I love your tree sweater. I saw it on Cuteoverload.com and came here to check it out. IT really made me smile.
It is fantabulous and the street tree who was probably chosen to grow slowly and not get very big; is, I am sure completely delighted with its accessories.
Comment by Annie Johnson —
8/31/2007 @ 9:39 am
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I love it! This is so cute and quirky. The tree looks very happy.
Comment by LeAnn —
8/31/2007 @ 3:40 pm
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Now THIS is the kind of thing that makes my day. Wish I had known about Treesweater when I was in Seattle recently; I’d have visited. Oh, dear - Is it still there? Long live Treesweater - and all its derivative forms. Thanks!
Comment by Spoonplayer —
8/31/2007 @ 4:22 pm
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please please post updated photo of Treesweater. your (newly) adoring fans await… now, where are my knitting needles? and most importantly, which tree (first)? a TREESWEATERHUGGER is born!
Comment by inkslynger —
9/1/2007 @ 11:22 am
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Did tree and sweater survive the winter intact? What happened to the promised antler pictures? Were there more than five leaves on the tree this summer? We need updates!
Comment by gatherer —
9/1/2007 @ 7:03 pm
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200 GET!
It’s really really nice what you did, please bring up some pictures!
Comment by 200 GET —
9/1/2007 @ 7:13 pm
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They’re cute and all, and will kill the tree when it outgrows the sweater. The yarn will dig into the bark as the tree grows and eventually kill the tree.
Granted, trees planted along city streets probably won’t be allowed to get that large but that’s not the point. Fastening anything around the trunk of a living tree is not a safe or eco-minded thing to do.
It’s like sewing a collar onto a still-growing dog. You will eventually choke it to death.
I’m a bit surprised that no one else seems to care.
Comment by Pythia —
9/3/2007 @ 7:23 am
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Pythia, I understand where you’re coming from, but I think the attention brought to ignored plants by the spirit of the tree sweater is the key here… and as soon as the tree starts to rip the sweater, I’m sure it can be lovingly removed before any damage is done. Plus, I don’t think that’s steel wool, it might just break off on its own (if it hasn’t already).
Comment by oovy —
9/3/2007 @ 10:28 am
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Wow! It’s people like you that make this oftentimes difficult world a much, much better, brighter, and downright funnier place to live. I’m going to learn how to knit just so I can make a tree sweater!
Thanks for sharing your creativity…
Comment by Leslie Callison —
9/20/2007 @ 12:19 pm
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Very cool design! Useful information. Go on!o
Comment by sveta —
9/21/2007 @ 11:04 pm
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candice michelle playboy pics As she wished to rich brunette seemed that they had performed on board.
Comment by pics —
9/25/2007 @ 2:05 am
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Liz egypt photo gallery replied, it and licked her own for this one.
Comment by gallery —
10/5/2007 @ 7:16 pm
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What a delightul, charming, whimsical idea.
Thank you for shining a bit more light into the occasionally dark world that surrounds us.
Comment by Jon —
10/11/2007 @ 12:40 am
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This is bad for the tree. It holds moisture near the bark, provides a place for insects and vermin, and keeps the groundskeeper from properly pruning.
Comment by Treebeard —
10/25/2007 @ 6:10 am
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“Vermin”?
I’m trying to think of non-insect vermin which could take up residence in a sweater three inches tall.
I guess a little tiny mouse could nest in there. That would be awesome, actually. Imagine his little face peering out the top!
A rat would never fit. Plus, I’m pretty sure people would notice a huge rat sticking out of a red sweater knit at eye level on a tree planted in the sidewalk of a busy street.
Comment by Erika —
10/25/2007 @ 8:57 am
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Cute thought! I hope your tree live and bloomed this past spring and you plan to put another sweater on it this year. A tree sweater will not inhibit its growth, the yarn will stretch with the tree as its girth’s grows and the tree will eventually snap the sweater-thus you know when to put a new one on. Way to go and someday this tree will take off-
Comment by Jil —
10/27/2007 @ 7:40 pm
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Hi.
Good design, who make it?
Comment by Shoowjoitte —
11/28/2007 @ 4:23 am
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[…] Tree Sweater at Redshirt Knitting– Umm… OK. […]
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12/29/2007 @ 11:38 am
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Hmmm, i am getting knitting. I have the perfect tree in mind right near my work in Bremerton. The tricky part is going to be how to sew it on without being harassed….face it, it’s not the best neighborhood after dark!
Comment by Turtle —
2/8/2008 @ 7:14 pm
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I just happened upon this site today and I have to say this is absolutely hilarious and adorable!
Comment by Amanda —
2/17/2008 @ 9:15 pm
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Pingback by new spring knits « Oh, pickles! —
3/13/2008 @ 5:24 pm
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Hello!
I think this try.
Comment by Floroskop —
3/18/2008 @ 12:44 am
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I’m not sure who thought of the idea first…but there’s a buzz in art communities about the “knitknot tree” project started by Corrine Bayraktaroglu.
Perhaps just people thinking on the same wavelengths.
Comment by Lin —
3/24/2008 @ 4:10 pm
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what an awesome idea! very creative
as for the people worried about the impending doom of the sweatered tree, honestly people, come on. puting a loose sweater that she obviously remakes often isnt gonna kill anything. thats like saying that puting clothes on children is going to stunt their growth.
be positive, ericka is increasing awareness of the serious concern of STW (suffering of trees in Winter) they go through harsh times and shes doing her part to help keep them warm and well cared for.
:)
Comment by mary —
3/30/2008 @ 9:38 pm
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I wish I could knit!
But, since I can’t, perhaps I will just sew one instead?
Would that a decent enough homage?
Comment by Aralia —
4/10/2008 @ 5:26 pm
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I have made a treesweater simular to yours to draw attention to knitting. Also made some other sweaters on public places. Check it out on my website. Thanks for your inspiration!
Comment by astrid —
4/13/2008 @ 3:08 am
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Where can I see the treesweater in person?? I work in seattle so….I’d love to stop by and pet it heehee
Comment by Robin —
5/3/2008 @ 5:07 pm
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In response to comment 217 regarding the Knit knot Tree and where the idea came from. If you check out the jafagirlart.com website (non commercial) if gives an explanation how the knit knot tree got started. Knitta has to take credit for inspiring my friend and I to bomb a tree as part of a demo for an even (street arts) we put together for a local arts council. A few months later we started adding to it, and then the public donated knitting, and it grew from there.
It has been such a delight, but we did face some critisism (oh well).
I hope you don’t mind me adding your blog link to our website, your tree sweater is just WONDERFUL, and unique. Congrats on making the cover of Stranger.
all the best corrine bayraktaroglu
aka jafabrit
Comment by jafabrit —
5/5/2008 @ 11:18 am
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We have a “Tree Bikini” in our town: http://artparlor.wordpress.com/2008/05/11/is-that-a-bikini/
Too warm for a Treesweater
Comment by The Art Parlor —
5/16/2008 @ 9:57 am
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5/22/2008 @ 9:49 am
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5/26/2008 @ 11:24 pm
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Comment by young boys hfree gay pictures —
6/17/2008 @ 9:36 am
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9/26/2008 @ 8:44 am
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[…] 3, 2008 Handrail armband Posted by Natasha under university | Tags: cute | Like a treesweater, but cuter. I sawthis on campus today, just outside the library on the way down the hill. I love whoever did this. […]
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10/3/2008 @ 8:57 am
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6/13/2009 @ 1:30 pm
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