Get ready to knit one, purl two! The annual Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival, formerly called the Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival, is slated to take place on April 6 through 8 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, downtown. The event features a variety of information and adventures in knitting, crochet, quilting and sewing. It abounds with various creative art classes and workshops, vendors and special displays.
The festival began in 2005 and has since become a local favorite. It was named a “Top 10 Best Bet in Pittsburgh” by Pittsburgh Magazine in February 2013. “The festival has become a highly anticipated arts event in the city and generates tremendous revenue for the region, local stores, indie business owners and farmers,” comments festival organizer Barb Grossman. “Pittsburgh has a vibrant arts community and we are happy to be a part of it.”
One of the featured instructors at this year’s festival is Karen Womack, a local quilt maker, teacher, designer and owner of Quiltstyle, an e-retail store on Etsy.com. Karen taught at JoAnn Fabrics from 2010 to 2013 and now instructs at quilting conventions and guilds. “Students love her patient, relaxed teaching style and problem solving techniques,” Barb notes. Karen will be teaching two classes: Cross Body Bag and Hand Sewing: The Slow Stitch Movement.
This year’s festival will include a kickoff luncheon, a marketplace with exhibitors, more than 85 classes and workshops, and other special events encompassing knit, crochet, sewing and quilting, fiber, spinning, weaving and more. The Creative Open Studio is a space to play and try different sewing, cutting and machines. There will also be free “maker” activities where attendees can try out new crafts and take one home.
Once again, UPMC Senior Communities will sponsor Senior Sunday. Adults ages 65 and older can purchase a day admission ticket at the door for $5. Regular admission is $15 for a day pass. Sunday hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The David L. Lawrence Convention Center is handicapped accessible; the festival is located in Hall A, directly to the right of the escalators.
To learn more, call Barb Grossman at (412) 963-7030 or visit pghknitandcrochet.com.
