The Steel City Fiber Collective will be a makerspace for fiber arts and crafts. Think TechShop but cozier! Pittsburghers will be able to rent space and equipment for knitting, crochet, dyeing, spinning, weaving, and fiber preparation. We will host classes and events for the fiber art community.

The Collective will bring collaboration and interaction to typically solitary activities. We believe in the ability of fiber crafts to bring greater well-being to a fast-paced urban environment. Our classes and equipment will be accessible to all ages and skill levels, from kids to seniors at an affordable price. Although several yarn and fiber stores exist in the area, they do not have the space or time to offer in depth learning experiences. We already have a working relationship with yarn shops and guilds in the area.

An Awesome micro-grant would provide the funds to buy equipment for a mobile dyeing workshop. With the dye equipment, all we need to hold a dyeing class is running water! We could start providing classes to the Pittsburgh fiber community before we secure our permanent space. After we find our space, we can continue to use the same equipment.