Imagine one of Pittsburgh’s Three Sisters Bridges bedecked in colorful panels, knitted by hundreds of area residents. This one-of-a-kind bridge installation, called yarn bombing, will showcase the creative energy of the Pittsburgh region, celebrate its cultural diversity, and highlight our thriving contemporary arts scene. Knit the Bridge (KtB) uses the accessible and widespread craft traditions of knit and crochet as a catalyst to create strong and resourceful community networks that will last beyond the project itself. Our project presents a unique opportunity literally and figuratively to weave the region together.
Committed to creating opportunities for all, KtB has set proportional participation goals based on ethnicity, age, geographic area, ability, gender identity and sexual orientation so that the final visual impact accurately reflects Pittsburgh’s communities.
Project planning began in spring 2012, with ongoing community events from summer 2012 until the project is finished. The bridge installation will be unveiled summer/fall of 2013, and remain on display for four weeks. (We are in the final stages of negotiating the exact dates of installation and removal with Allegheny County). Once the installation is removed, the knit and crochet panels will be laundered and distributed to shelters and other community living facilities to be reused as blankets and wall hangings.

Lead artist Amanda Gross is a teaching artist and Masters Candidate in Conflict Transformation with a focus on the intersection of peace building and the arts. Under her direction, KtB is a joint undertaking of the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh (FGP) and Fiberart International 2013 in administrative partnership with Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. FGP is an all-volunteer group, responsible for 100% of the $112,000 budget for Knit the Bridge. Through Amanda’s vision, we hope to create a spectacular work of public art with a lasting impact and make Pittsburgh #1 in yarn bombing!