A tangible collaboration. Knit Democracy Together sculptures.

The first Knit Democracy Together sculpture was loosely based on the Vermont State House. The pieces of the sculpture were made by knitting circle crafters in 2020-2021. See photos of the process below.

In 2024, we made a New Hampshire State House with support from New Hampshire Humanities that was displayed at the State Library in Concord in June 2024. See photos and a short video of me speaking at the N.H. opening here.

A sculpture symbolizing democracy:

• people participating by voting, talking with their representatives, and running for office, symbolized by colorful knitted hands

• a product of individuals from all parts of society coming together, symbolized by building blocks with individual personalities

• an ongoing building process, symbolized by working knitting needles

Four women working on the knitted sculpture of the Vermont State House.

The first Knit Democracy Together collaborative sculpture is loosely based on the Vermont State House. More than 45 makers at KDT circles knit, crocheted, and stitched the panels for the walls of the capitol building. Dozens more made lawn and garden pieces to form the grounds of the sculpture.

As they stitched, these civically-minded crafters deepened their understanding of the mechanics of democacy. Through a presentation and discussion led by project creator Eve Jacobs-Carnahan, these makers gained knowledge to help them respond to misinformation. They increased their awareness of the ways gerrymandering can distort the representative nature of democacy. They acquired an appreciation for the power of state legislatures to set rules for voting and how those rules might affect access to the ballot box. They discussed proportional representation, the electoral college, and voting reforms.

In September 2022, participants joined artist Eve Jacobs-Carnahan at the Vermont State House to stitch together lawn and garden pieces to surround the knitted state house. During the three months that the sculpture was on display, State House visitors from around the country expressed amazement and admiration for this collaboration.

Click arrows in this slideshow to see the first state capitol sculpture come together:

It all started with cardboard boxes and a cookie tin.

Early knitting circles were held on Zoom.

Calculations are made for covering the boxes.

Supplies prepared for virtual knitting circle sponsored by Bennington (Vermont) Museum.

Squares collected.

Stitching pieces together

Boxes begin to be covered with knitted pieces.

More knitting circles were held in person.

In process

The portico is covered and enamel doors by Bev Shevis are added.

Hands added …

Dome knitted by Abby Colihan and finial by Rachel Kahn.

Preparing display at Vermont State House, Montpelier, September 2022.

Sewing together knitted pieces of the grounds at Vermont State House event.

The grounds laid out for stitching around the sculpture.

Grounds being installed around sculpture.

people assembling pieces to surround knitted state house sculpture

Collaboration and community foster democracy.