Has there ever been a cozier-looking bus cruising around the streets of London than this neon yarn-bombed double decker dubbed the No. 7up? The beverage brand commissioned Austin-based artist and ‘urban knitter’ Magda Sayeg to essentially knit a gigantic sweater for one of London’s iconic public buses, a classic red Routemaster, in a variety of eye-popping patterns.

Sayeg lugged 20 suitcases of yarn to London for the project, part of 7up’s ‘Feels Good to be You’ campaign aiming to refresh the brand as ‘naturally unique and individual.’ The artist is known for covering all sorts of urban surfaces in soft knits, from public benches and fountains to an entire town square in Santiago, Chile.

The practice of ‘yarn bombing’ is sort of like graffiti, enlivening objects all around a city with unexpected artistic details. Typically, sections of each piece are pre-made and then quickly knitted together around the object. It’s not unusual to see entire cars and buses covered in colorful yarn creations, but a double-decker seems to take the art of yarn bombing to new heights.

“Knitting and crocheting doesn’t have to be functional, it can be subversive, renegade – even illegal in certain cases. It’s bad ass!” Sayeg told Design Milk. “And it makes me proud, as a woman, to be part of something that is so powerful. Taking this craft that is female dominated onto the streets graffiti style, which is male dominated, is what is appealing (or not) about yarn bombing. As long as it evokes some emotion, I believe it is good.”

Yarn bombing is graffiti that grandmothers approve of! They consist of quickly knitted additions to street objects and sculptures. Why? Because it’s fun! (Telephone Box via KnittheCity additional links and credits below).

(Images via whodunknit, marialyng, tumblr, streetartutopia, twilighttaggers)

Yarn bombers often have a political or social message they’d like to convey. More often than not, that message is simply “enjoy this,” as these urban knitters tend to be out for some fun.

(Images via rebelyarns, reginaurbanecology, apartmenttherapy, flickriver, tribal-times)

Trees get cold if they’re not given a sweater; at least, this must be how yarn bombers think, considering how much joy they get out of wrapping tree trunks in festive knitwear.

(Images via ajoureblog, cultureshockart, ajoureblog)

To knit something in a public space requires a lot of skill and speed. The result always brings a smile to people’s faces. It’s hard not to grin when a seat on the subway has been given a homey knitted treatment.

(Images via fiveluckyducks, baycitizen, threadologie, apartmenttherapy)

Yarn bombers like to show off their skills with careful and accurate lettering… so accurate, that one could ditch the original street sign without a problem.

(Images via streetartutopia, whodunnknit, rustbelt1, tangleknot, ymlp, followthedotxoxo)

Public statues are sitting ducks for legions of yarn bombers. They’ll come out in the off hours and swarm over public art to turn it into something even more interesting.

(Images via yarnbombing, zezaflor, shift, buttertoastboutique, streetartscene, www.knitthecity.com)

Functional street objects need a little love now and then. Careful knitting will plaster them with colorful creations and turn them into something a lot less cold and utilitarian.

(Images via unfinishedprojectparty, rebelyarns, jafagirls, yarnbombing, , soenyun, lakewood)

Street lights and telephone poles don’t have a chance. Some yarn bombers like to add a little flair to otherwise mundane objects. Any kind of standing structure is at risk.

(Images via flickriver, reducethepanic, recorked4u, thinng, maiyamayhem, poppygall)

Fences and rails require a different style of knitting, but that doesn’t deter the hardcore yarn bombers, who endeavor to spice up every aspect of their beloved city.

(Images via myknitche, minispace, buzzfeed, yarnbombing, telegraph, theknitterslifelist, globalgraphica)

Now these are eye-catching! Imagine a bus driver leaving their ride out for a few days and coming back to see it in dazzling color. Some of these rides can still be driven, though one hopes they’re able to stay out of the rain!

(Images via bilerico, passagesnorth, yarnbombing, scissorsandspice, nick0lson)

Most people have their bike stolen when they leave it on the street. The lucky ones just have it decorated.