Knit Bombing Achieved! Iowa City Downtown Trees Adorned With Sweaters Just in Time

It was so cold today even the trees decided to get some winter wear on.

Many of the trees throughout downtown Iowa City now have colorful knit covers on their trunks, courtesy of a few generous knitters.

The yarn sweaters came courtesy of dozens of local knitters, who created "tree huggers" for the trees downtown. The effort was an organized collaboration between the Iowa City Downtown District, Home Ec. Workshop dozens of volunteer knitters to clad the trees in yarn garments.

The organizers told the Daily Iowan that the event, with many of the uniquely knit creations installed last week, was a smashing success in its first year.

The brainchild of special events co-heads Jain and Joni Schrup, the tree scarves are meant to bring the community together and to add a plop of color to a normally dreary season. The Tree Huggers were installed on trees throughout the city on Sunday afternoon.

“We just thought this would be a fun, public-art event that would bring the community together,” Schrup said. “I think it will help bring people downtown. People are going to want to see this.”

Individual knit bombers have spread the idea beyond the downtown, so do not be surprised to see some comfy trees in neighborhoods all over Iow aCity.