WEST CAPE MAY – The mysterious Salty Knitters who decorated this borough with their work on fences, trees, utility poles and stop signs have taken another hit. Someone removed all their multi-colored knitting from Wilbraham Park and other public spaces two weeks ago, and now someone has stolen their work from private property, Higher Grounds Cafe on the corner of W. Perry Street and Park Boulevard.
It was the last display of the knitters and thought to be some of their finest work with a number of knitted roses on a wrought iron gate, at least a dozen wrapped poles, a tree covered in a sort of sweater and horse hitching post wearing a knitted handkerchief
The West Cape May Knitters drew attention from the media as far away as England. The last pieces of their work decorating the coffee garden at Higher Grounds was missing when employee Julia Carlson opened for business Friday April 16. She called Cape May police who arrived and wrote a report.
It is unknown who has been taking down the knitting. A Herald Spout-Off writer compared the knitting to graffiti. West Cape May Mayor Pamela Kaithern and Commissioner Peter Burke have complimented the work of the knitters and said removal of the work did not come from the borough. Borough Commission plans on recognizing the knitters for their work at a future meeting.
Higher Grounds owner Katie Panamarenko told the Herald said she was “devastated.”
“I kind of got attached to them and it became a permanent aesthetic in my garden, now it looks barren,” she said. “I think the work here had a little bit extra time put into it.”
Panamarenko said she felt sorry for the knitters because “they put their heart and soul into this property,” She said she was insulted someone came on her private property and stole the knitting.
The knitting may have been removed by youths if online postings are correct. As much as she would like the knitters to redecorate her coffee garden, she advises them to hold off if someone will undo all there work in the dead of night.
All that remains are some tiny threads that Panamarenko compares to ashes after a fire. In the meantime, a rather large dog is now on duty on the property patrolling the garden.
Artist Diane Flanegan also reported knitting stolen from her yard on Broadway
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
