Very Hungry Caterpillar Bike Rack

Finished bike rack!

When I lived in the suburbs a few years ago, I wanted to start yarn bombing but wasn't sure if it would be accepted. After moving to the city and yarn bombing for over a year, I offered to come back and yarn bomb my old library at Palatine, and they took me up on it!

I decided to create a design based on the children's classic, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." The bike rack could be the body of the caterpillar, and I could create little appliques of the food he eats. 

It took me a few months, but I got the body and all the food done. I knew I'd be in the area for a dermatologist appointment yesterday, so I made that the deadline.

Getting ready with the "naked" bike rack and big sleeve

It took a little over an hour to do the sleeve, made a bit longer because I'd overshot the length of the rack a bit and had to do some emergency surgery.

The appliques took a while to sew on and hide all the ends - another 2 hours!!

Sewing on the fruit

Thanks to Palatine Board members Debby and Hal, as well as Executive Director Jeannie, for the in-progress photos! I don't get a lot of photos of me working.

I'm very happy with the finished product, even though it took a super long time. The strawberries are probably the cutest. 

It should keep looking good for another couple of months, so get over there and see it while you can!

I also got to fit in an outdoor dinner with my suburban crochet group, so all in all it was a day full of human interaction as we start to reopen and come out again as the pandemic calms down in the United States.