Help us put the public in Public Art!

Knit the Bridge is a grassroots arts project – a huge, visually amazing fiberart installation on a downtown Pittsburgh bridge.  Nearly 600 brilliantly colored, afghan-sized panels knitted and crocheted by area residents will be used to decorate – or "yarnbomb" – one of Pittsburgh’s iconic Three Sisters bridges.  When the project goes up later this year it will be the largest such fiberart installation in the U.S.A. ever.

Knit the Bridge (KtB) doesn't aim simply to transform public space. We want to transform the way our communities work, play, and interact with each other. Knit the Bridge reaches deep into diverse neighborhoods and brings people together in new ways to knit, crochet, design, install, and collaborate. Over the past year, we've organized hundreds of local events and knit-ins. When drivers, bikers, boaters, and pedestrians admire the bridge's fabulous new look, we want them o see the full range of ages, ethnicities, gender identities, abilities, and economic groups that comprise our vibrant corner of the rustbelt. 

What it takes

Knit the Bridge is a labor of love and commitment that started with the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh, a local nonprofit organization committed to the creative development, appreciation, and preservation of the fiber arts.  Local funders and arts organizations jumped on the bandwagon to help us buy materials and reach out to various communities.  Boosted by so many supporters, volunteers, community leaders, and amazing knitters... we are in the home stretch of a landmark project that can light up the Pittsburgh region and serve as a model for other cities.  But we need help to go the distance.  We are hoping to raise $35,000 to pay installation costs, ensure public safety, and reuse the materials.

In case you’re wondering...

What happens to all that knitting once the project comes down?  Most of the bridge panels will be thoroughly laundered, repaired, and donated to neighborhood shelters. Some pieces will be given as thank you perks to indiegogo donors. Check out our perks listed on the sidebar and on our blog: http://knitthebridge.wordpress.com/indiegogo/

How you can help

At Knit the Bridge every person counts, every stitch gets us closer to our end goal. There are many ways to participate including donating funds, spreading the word, and signing up on our website to help assemble, prep, and install for the bridge.

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Thank you!

Every penny we raise will go toward the project’s costs, including materials, the installation costs, and stipends.  Any amount beyond our funding goal will allow us to create a documentary chronicling our community journey and the installation and also help reimburse the expenses of a few volunteers who have donated months of time and expertise to Knit the Bridge.  

This is just a fraction of the money we need to raise, if we go over our goal it will free us from having to raise it through other means and get us knitting again! Thank you for your contribution.

What is "yarnbombing"?

Coming out of the street art and contemporary craft movements, "yarnbombing" is a fun, bright, beautiful way to celebrate public space. Unlike graffiti, "yarnbombing" can be done without any damage to historic structures and is temporary and easily removable.

Knit the Bridge Perks

When you contribute on indiegogo, you get a thank you gift.
Choose from our list of perks based on the dollar amount.

Perk #1 – Knit the Bridge Temporary Tattoo
$5 contribution - 2"x2" temporary tatto with the bridge illustration.  Made in the USA.

Perk #2 - Knit the Bridge Postcard - $10 contribution -Unlimited perks available  – A thank you postcard with the Knit the Bridge illustration sent directly to you.

Perk #3 – Knit the Bridge Patch - $15 contribution -150 perks available – The Knit the Bridge illustration on a swatch of poly/cotton.  Use it as inspiration for your own garment or accessory.  We find these are fabulous on bags, jeans, and other accessories.  It lets folks know that you helped make Knit the Bridge happen.

Perk #4 – Knit the Bridge Pattern Collection $20 contribution -Unlimited perks available - A collection of patterns made especially for Knit the Bridge, designed by local fiber artist, Cosette Cornelius-Bates (aka cosymakes).  The collection includes a funky earflap hat, super duper warm pair of mittens or fingerless mitts, and a warm and woolie headband.

Perk #5 -  Handcrafted Buttons! $25 - 100 perks available - Hand-crafted colorful buttons made by polymer clay artist, Laura Tabakman. Buttons come in a pack of 6.

Perk #6 – Book – Knitting Wool Diaper Covers from Start to Finish  $50 - 4 perks available -Knitting Wool Diaper Covers from Start to Finish - a spiral-bound book on creating your own wool diaper covers by local Pittsburgh designer and writer, Maggie Broderick of Burgh Baby Gear.

Perk #7 - Book - Bridges of Pittsburgh $50 - 10 perks available Paperback bound book with photos of the many bridges of Pittsburgh, written by Bob Regan with photographs by Tim Fabian. Includes ten self-guided tours for walkers, cyclists, drivers, and boaters.

Perk #8 – Bridge Tee $60 - 100 perks available -One Knit the Bridge T-shirt with the Knit the Bridge illustration screen-printed by Pittsburgh's own Commonwealth Press.  Choose your size from S M L XL XXL - Colors: Gold, Sky, Orange, Kiwi, Gray, Coral, Heather Royal, or Heather Green

Perk #9 - Knit the Bridge Hand-dyed + Patterns - $75 - 39 perks available - One skein of the exclusive Knit the Bridge colorway - hand-dyed worsted weight wool.  Dyed at a Southside Monastery, we started with bridge yellow and then over-dyed one warm colorway and one cool colorway. Comes with the KtB Pattern Collection: KtB Headband, Knit the Mitts, and Knit the Bridge Hat.  All are original designs by local fiber artist, Cosymakes. To dye for... Self pick up to chose your skein, or if you're out of town we can ship it.

Perk #10 - Knit the Bridge Hand-dyed x2 + Patterns - $150 - 20 perks available Two skeins of the exclusive KtB colorway - hand-dyed worsted weight wool. Dyed at a Southside Monastery, we started with bridge yellow and then over-dyed one warm colorway and one cool colorway. You get one of each. These gorgeous skeins come with the KtB Pattern Collection: KtB Headband, Knit the Mitts, and Knit the Bridge Hat.  All are original designs by local fiber artist, Cosymakes. To dye for... Self pick up to chose your skeins, or if you're out of town we can ship it.

Perk #11 - Knit the Bridge Panel - $500 - 10 perks available - Beautiful hand knit or crocheted 34" x 72" panel made by one of the 600+ community participants.  As seen on the bridge!