I’ve been chatting with some folks on Ravelry about developing a set of universal measurement standards for street furniture which we’d like to publish in the book – they’ll come in handy if you’re knitting a tag for a place you haven’t been before, or if the weather isn’t cooperating when you are getting ready to crochet a new piece. If you’d like to contribute to the conversation, put your measurements up here in the comments section or join the discussion in the Yarn Bombing or Knit Graffiti groups on Ravelry.
Here are the measurements that I have taken in Vancouver, Canada:
Wooden telephone poles: 42.75” circumference
Canadian mailboxes: 54” tall in front, 47” tall in back (slanting roof), 22” wide across front, 20” in depth
Park bench height and width: seat length 70”, seat width 16”, total height from ground to top of seat 32”
Metal railings: 6.5” circumference
Door knobs: standard square shops handle 5” long, 3 inches around
Standard round knob: 6” in circumference
Antenna lengths on cars (varies according to car make):
VW Bug (a new bug, not the old fashioned type) antenna: 13”
Chevy Cavalier 30”
Jeep Compass 32”
Stop sign pole: 7.5” circumference, 73” from ground to the bottom of base of the sign
Pay phone: receiver is 5” long, 4” in circumference. The cord between the receiver and the phone is 29” long
Dumpster: 71” long, 52” high, 39” width
Push buttons at crossing lights: circumference of face plate
Lamp post circumference: 21” up to 27”, varies in location
Parking Meter:
Base circular 9”, base height: 31”, meter circular 17”, base height 23.9”
If you have the time to take a few measurements and post them – it would be a great resource for the urban knitting community!
Also, if you read this blog and are on Ravelry, I’d love to connect with you. My (Leanne) user id is yarn bombing. I’ve really been enjoying the groups Knit Graffiti, Guerilla Knitters, and the Crochet Liberation Front.

oh!!!!
now that IS cool!!!!!!!
heya, good work.
check out our bombing in berlin on the blogspot
ArtYarn x
omgoodness that is so cute and attentive and precise. that’s great!
[...] recorded first by linzhi on 2008-10-27→ Universal measurements [...]
As a prospective yarn bomber, this is a really useful post. Thank you!
I agree with you but, in my travels I’ve noticed some people just have to be told, sign or no sign & some have to be told more than once. Maybe if we add a little humor to the sign it’s more appealing! Just a thought.