Tuesday 13 September 2011

Bunting explained - Flags, sleeping bag or bird?

We've had some interesting comments about Ria's bunting post. Some of you were confused about the flowers being strung up and called bunting. I was confused because you were confused - bunting is bunting is bunting, isn't it? Turns out, we're all right with our terminology.

So here are the definitions of bunting:

bunt·ing  (bntng)
n.
1. A light cotton or woolen cloth used for making flags.
2. Flags considered as a group.
3. Strips of cloth or material usually in the colors of the national flag, used especially as drapery or streamers for festive decoration

4. Any of various birds of the family Fringillidae, having short, cone-shaped bills and brownish or grayish plumage

5. A snug-fitting, hooded sleeping bag of heavy material for infants

(Thank you Freedictionary)

I think number 5 is the reason for the confusion - the knitted or crocheted pod shaped sleeping bags that are now so popular and used in newborn photo shoots are also called bunting.

So... our little flowers are little "flags" strung up to use as decoration in a little girls' bedroom, to brighten up your kitchen, as decoration for a party... etc. etc.



Here's my version of bunting - teeny tiny flags - the only crocheted item I have actually made for myself and kept!

Thank you for all the comments and support (and questions!) - keep 'em coming...

3 comments:

ria said...

Thanks for clearing that up Adri! You learn something new every day on the internet ;). I never knew the baby sack thingies were called bunting too! I hope the strings of flowers will be strung like flags across a little girl's room (or a bigger girl!). They are being assembled for our Christmas market stall in November.

Leftycrafter said...

Thanks so much for clearing that up. Now I have more ideas to crochet!

Minding My Own Stitches said...

Not a bird then? I guess not, I don't see any indigo bunting there at all.

Your little bunting is very cute!