A passer-by stops to look at one of the trees in Hackney central decorated by 'yarn bombers'. Photo credit: Carmen Valino

Artists went under the cover of darkness to dress the trees along Mare Street in colourful ‘jumpers’ as the craze for yarn bombing returned to the borough.

Artists took to Mare Street late on February 19 to wrap trees in colourful 'jumpers'. Photo credit: Tim Walker

Ten people took to the streets shortly after 10pm on Sunday night to cover the trunks and branches in front of the town hall in woollen decorations they have been knitting for the past month.

But the first most residents saw of their needlework was as they travelled to work the next day.

“The whole aim is to bring a smile to people’s faces on a Monday morning,” said artist Kirstie Macleod, who organised the project.

“We know that they be taken down but we hope they can stay up for a few days.”

Yarn bombing, or graffiti knitting, started in the US and Canada in about 2005 and crocheted creations have since been spotted across the world – including in Stoke Newington.

Kirstie said this was her first foray into the movement but that Hackney residents should look out for future projects.