Mystery over phantom pier knitter

They call her the Saltburn Yarnbomber. That is, if “she” even is a she, as most locals assume. But far from vandalising the pier in the dead of night, this shady individual isn’t out to cause damage – she (or he) just loves to knit.



Since October last year, the mystery knitter – one of an army of secretive “guerrilla knitters” who have recently sprung up across Britain – has left woolly creations all over the tiny Teesside town. First it was a set of darned books (The Secret Cardigan and A Ripping Yarn) tied to a railing outside the library. Next, a tray of woollen buns appeared by the cake shop, while a family of teddy bears was spotted eating tiny knitted sandwiches on a picnic table near the promenade.

This week, the Banksy of the knitting world “yarnbombed” her most spectacular creation yet: a huge Olympics-themed scarf, adorned with models of athletes from synchronised swimmers to rowers, weightlifters and footballers. The colourful display, wound around the railings on the pier, stretches for 50 yards and has been lovingly stitched to the finest detail, including shoelaces, ski poles and miniature gold medals. Knitting experts estimate the scarf would have taken up to a year to complete – and most of the night to attach to the pier. But instead of stepping forward to receive his or her plaudits, the Saltburn Yarnbomber has kept everybody guessing.


YouTube link. There's a much longer video here.

“It’s a classic whodunit,” says Mike Morgan of the local Evening Gazette, who has launched an appeal to unmask the knitter. “Everyone in the town is talking about the scarf, but we’re stumped about the culprit. Personally, I think it’s a group of people, because one person couldn’t do all that knitting on their own.” “It’s one of the best mysteries we’ve ever had in Saltburn,” says Tony Lynn, a local historian who has lived in the town for 56 years. “It’s such a fantastic creation – whoever did it should be very proud of themselves.” Surely he must have an inkling about who it is? “We all have our suspicions, but it would spoil the fun if it’s just revealed to be Mrs Jones from round the corner. Long may the mystery last.”