A Woman in Park Slope Is Knitting Sweaters for Trees

By Jen Doll Thu., Feb. 17 2011 at 4:07 PM

Perhaps you live in or have visited Park Slope and have noticed the trees on 16th Street clad in sweaters -- cozy, hand-knit, brightly colored sweaters. Perhaps you've wondered what sort of person would do something like knit sweaters and dress trees in them. If you have, your answers are here. The Park Slope Patch has located the sweater-lady, Laurie Russell, 57, and asked her about her hobby. Apparently, this whole thing happened because she didn't have a dog.

"I knit as a hobby, and I was tired of making scarves," said Russell. "I had knit one or two sweaters, but I'm not a very advanced knitter. I was looking at dogs, sausage dogs, and thinking about what a fun sweater shape that would be. But I don't have a dog. So I started looking at trees as a simple 'sweater.'"

She's been knitting tree sweaters for years now; with each year comes a new "tree sweater." This year's was turquoise. The yarn is all-natural. Of course it is, it's Park Slope!

Russell will remove the sweaters come spring, probably right around the same time that your dog can finally break free from the confining shackles of its cashmere cardigan.

Tree Sweater Mystery Solved! [PSP via @effedparkslope]

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Avril

Probably it's just a woman's hobby. Like wendee said, the woman is creating art, this is her way to express her feelings. For example I developed a hobby making knited dog sweaters.

ellenronnie

It's unbelievable how every time someone does a knit graffiti thing, someone always has to post about why it's a waste of time and people should be knitting for the homeless and needy children. Guess what? I do both.What's wrong with a little artistic expression?This winter has been long and hard and a little burst of color here and there warms the soul.

jafagirls

You know what it tells me ellen, they haven't spent time looking at the real needs of the homeless because if they did, they would feel a bit stupid harping on about knitting and the homeless. They need to go and see what the top 10 to 15 priority needs are at homeless shelters.Some of us, including yarnbombers donate in meaningful ways, while others sit and dictate how others should spend their time, their money and how to help the homeless with useless items.

Wendee

@ TessaJill Perhaps we shouldn't create art... we all could use the money to help the less fortunate. Let's burn the books and paintings so people can stay warm.. The heck with art, it's not needed... I crochet and knit, Most of my stuff goes to charity but occasionally, I like to create a piece of whimsy. This is art and it keeps the soul warm!

TessaJill

Maybe her skills and resources would be better served helping the homeless or needy children and families. Trees, which have been around for millions of years, are probably just fine in the cold.

Wendee

Perhaps we shouldn't create art... we all could use the money to help the less fortunate. Let's burn the books and paintings so people can stay warm.. The heck with art, it's not needed... I crochet and knit; most of my stuff goes to charity but occasionally, I like to create a piece of whimsy. This is art and it keeps the soul warm!