Yarn graffiti strikes gay note at Wanaka cafe

Ritual Cafe proprietors Paul Tregea and Chris Hadfield wonder where Wanaka's graffiti yarnist will strike next, after receiving an upside down rainbow yarn bomb yesterday. Photo / Marjorie Cook.

Wanaka's anonymous graffiti yarnist has struck again, installing a rainbow-coloured jacket on a downpipe outside a Helwick St cafe owned by gay businessmen Paul Tregea and Chris Hadfield.

Mr Hadfield found the decorated downpipe yesterday morning and was delighted, even though the international gay symbol is upside down.

The men do not know who decorated the downpipe but said it was a lovely idea and so much more interesting and cleaner than spray-paint graffiti.

They have interrogated a frequent customer known to be an ardent knitter, but she has denied all knowledge and even went so far as to say the installation was "untidy", Mr Hadfield said.

The Ritual Cafe owners are keen to find out where the yarn bomber will strike next.

"It's a lot of fun and brings colour to the town," Mr Tregea said.

A knitter - or knitters - have been yarn bombing Wanaka since the Festival of Colour in mid-April.

Trees, pedestrian crossings, shop door handles and public sculptures have received colourful woollen decorations.

Wanaka fibre and textile artists approached by the Otago Daily Times are keeping a lid on the identity of the yarn bombers.

International Yarn Bombing Day is June 11.

- Otago Daily Times