Artists dress downtown Livermore's trees for annual sweater forest

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“Gianna the Giraffe,” crocheted by Cece Daly, has a 3D, pattern-based head. Its fabric appears dense because Daly simultaneously crocheted two strands of yarn (rather than one) for its creation. | Photo by Jude Strzemp

Under cloudy morning skies, artists installed some of the first tree sweaters for this year’s downtown Livermore Tree Sweater Forest.

Joey Bennett, artist of this unnamed crocheted tree sweater, installs outside the Independent Order of Odd Fellows lodge for the Downtown Livermore Tree Sweater Forest on Sept. 30. Sweater features about 450 flowers and the order’s chain link logo. | Photo by Jude Strzemp

Designs of flowers, an autumn landscape, a giraffe and more kicked off the art installation’s 10th year on Sept. 30, with each piece created using a fiber art technique like knitting or crocheting. During installations, passersby praised the sweaters and their artists with smiles and compliments, some stopping for photos and a moment of admiration.

Rachel Flory, co-coordinator of the Tree Sweater Forest and artist behind the tree sweater named “Autumn Daisies,” said she appreciates the community’s positive reaction, as it reaffirms the purpose of the tree sweater forest — sparking joy.

“I love to make people smile,” Cece Daly, creator of a tree sweater called “Gianna the Giraffe,” said. “That’s the whole reason why I do what I do with my crocheting.”

Excitement for the sweaters spread from the street.

“The one outside is really fun,” said Therapy Stores manager Danielle Benoit of Andie Rosendin’s “Woodland Wonder” sweater, which is located outside the storefront. “I love little mushrooms and things like that. I like seeing the trees look so cozy.”

Andie Rosendin, artist of “Woodland Wonder,” installs tree sweater in front of Therapy Stores for the Downtown Livermore Tree Sweater Forest on Sept. 30. Rosendin’s tribute to autumn combines a knitted base with crocheted fixations. | Photo by Jude Strzemp

By late morning, just six of the anticipated 24 to 25 sweaters wrapped trees on First Street, two of which had been installed before the event’s official start time at 9 a.m.

Nevertheless, Flory expected more sweater installations throughout the day and into the next couple weeks. This means people still have the opportunity to catch an installation in-action on First Street, between L and Maple streets.

The sweaters will remain installed until Nov. 19, after which artists can either take their tree sweaters home or donate them.