Amazing Finds: Knit and Crochet

Wednesday, recently, has become such a 50/50 day for me.  It's halfway through the work week, but with halfway more to go.  And, 

(1)  now that the weather is feeling a bit cooler during the evenings, 

(2)  the sun rises a tad bit later in the mornings, 

(3)  and I need coffee more than every to keep me going through the day, 

I just need a second to take a breath, gather my thoughts, and find my bearings.  

Today, I am back to blogging about the Pottinger Street steps and something that totally refreshed my spirits on this 50/50 Wednesday.

Whilst walking up the steps, I stumbled over something quite amazing.  I came face-to-face with some crocheted rails!

At first, I stopped and looked around.  I thought it was an art installation, but there were no signs attached.  It was a true blue mystery as to how yarn got all over the rails.

It's completely baffling and amazing how the yarn bandit sprung in the night.

I had a Flash Mob moment.  And, aren't Flash "mobs" are all the rage!  I mean, Hong Kong has had it's fair share of Flash Mobs:

1.  The Michael Jackson ones that commemorated his passing

2.  The Pandas that mobbed us all over the summer

3.  The Cathay Pacific a few Christmases ago

4.  The occasional Freeze Mobs for Anti-Shark Fins

5.  The International Pillow Fight

I felt like, myself and the few people around me, were so lucky to have caught sight of the rails covered in yarn.  It's like a mini secret that made us all smile.

I think that the yarn bandits struck several times before in Hong Kong.  I do remember reading somewhere in the South China Morning Post about Mong Kok being covered for a bit of time in yarn.  And I remember that the sculpture outside of Langham place was covered in yarn a few years ago.  That was a special treat to find on my lunch break!

But, the Pottinger Street steps are more "local."  I mean, not a lot of tourists walk to the top of the steps…I may be wrong.  So, I felt like I was one of the select few who were privy to this amazing find.

Not only were the colors so vibrant that it motivated me to push through Hump Day, but the faces of the cute crocheted animals that were holding onto the rail ends for dear life made me laugh.  And everyone needs that…am I right?

I wonder how long these will be up…

Pottinger Street Steps

At the intersection of Queen's Road and Pottinger Street, you will be able to spot a path of stone steps.  These are the Pottinger Street steps, also known as the Stone Slab Street steps.  I visit these stone slabs almost time I am in Central.  It's also one of the places I go, besides the Red Brick House, to find my seasonal decorations.  Since Halloween is looming, the street is currently filled with the usual costumes and decorations.  

Things you can find on the Steps today:

1.  Mainly, you can find Halloween costumes, but there are also a lot of Chinese New Year decorations, which perhaps is out for the tourists.

2.  Costumes for babies:  chicken, turtles, and little cows...

3.  If you want to be a hula dancer, there are an assortment of leis...also grass skirts and coconuts (so cliche!)

4.  Masks are always stocked here...Scary clown anyone?

4.  Geisha/Oriental style clothing...not restricted to Halloween costumes!

5.  Onsies...I think that the onsies that are found at the Stanley Market might be better than these, but still a good selection...no?

The Pottinger Street Steps are also a good place to go when you want to find skull patches to sew onto clothes, fake flowers that you want to decorate your hair with, and thread for sewing.  It's a hodgepodge of little shops that are worth checking out, if only to take photos of the changing stock.

Note:  Most of the patches, sewing stuff, buttons, and fake flowers are found on the lower set of steps.  It's an all right substitute for the Sham Shui Po craft district.