About The Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet &
Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival

What has become the annual Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival started small in 2005 by Barbara Grossman as a fundraiser for the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh. In 2012, Barbara joined forces with her sister Ann Szilagyi , and merged with the Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival as an annual event that takes place in Pittsburgh, PA. Featuring knitting, crochet, quilting, sewing and other creative art classes, workshops, vendors and special displays and events, the Festival is a local favorite, having been named a “Top 10 Best Bet in Pittsburgh” by Pittsburgh magazine in February 2013.

Festival headliners over the years have included Annie Modesitt, Kathy Zimmerman, Candace Eisner Strick, Melissa Leapman, Maggie Jackson, Robyn Chachula, The Shibaguyz, Patty Lyons, Edie Eckman, Lisa H Calle, Andrea Wong, Debbie Macomber, StevenBe, Drew Emborsky (The Crochet Dude), Charles Gandy, Alasdair Post Quinn and Nicky Epstein, as well as many local teachers and designers.

The Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival and the Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival have expanded in order to embrace other forms of fiber art, including quilting, sewing, embroidery, surface design, recycling, weaving, tatting, spinning, wet and needle felting, rug hooking, dyeing, paper crafts and jewelry making.

In 2020 when I learned the festival was being cancelled permanently, I decided that just couldn’t happened and stepped in to take over the reins starting with the 2021 festival.  I began my transition in the fall of 2020.  I am excited to grow the festival.

Handcrafts have enjoyed a vibrant comeback, thanks in large part to the Internet, where all artists can connect with each other in so many ways (Ravelry, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Blogs).   During the pandemic, the positive trends in handmade crafts continued.  With the ability to zoom with others – many were able to connect without having a geographic barrier.  While we honor the old traditions passed down from our parents and grandparents, the craft/fiber world is expanding in so any wonderful new ways.

While I have been a knitter/crocheter for many decades, at each festival I am always excited to connect with others!  Looking forward to our 2023 Festival!

Happy Creating,

Laura