A former fish market in Glasgow’s Merchant City has been transformed right into a sea of color and compassion, as countless handknitted and crocheted blankets take centre stage in a singular art and charity event.
The exhibition, titled Glasgow Close Knit, features 430 blankets crafted by members of the Church of Scotland and area people groups.
Arranged across the ground of the 1873 Briggate hall, the display resembles one vast quilt – a patchwork of patterns and textures all handmade with love.
The initiative began in 2024 as a part of Glasgow’s 850th anniversary celebrations, led by the Church of Scotland’s Presbytery of Glasgow in partnership with homelessness charity Lodging House Mission.
The project goals to focus on community creativity while offering practical help to those facing hardship: this December, each blanket shall be gifted to someone in short-term housing and facing difficulty affording heating.
Rev Peter Gardner is the exhibition’s curator.
The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, officially opened the exhibition on August 11 and even contributed her own creations.
She described the event as a testament to the “warmth and resilience that defines our city,” noting how the crafting process allows for private reflection on Glasgow’s values.
The inspiration for the initiative originated from Rev Jan Mathieson, former Moderator of the Presbytery of Glasgow.
She said the response had been overwhelming, with over 200 visitors arriving from across Scotland, continental Europe, and the United States.
“These blankets are beautiful pieces of art are also going to be symbols of that love, given out to people most in need within the winter time,” she said.
“Everybody has been really impressed by the installation, which looks like an enormous blanket made up of 430 different blankets, all laid flat, on paper, on the ground.
“Some are laid around the perimeters of the essential exhibition space as we’re still receiving blankets and we all know that there are a number of blankets still to are available.”
Emphasising the “diversity and variety” of the people behind the blankets, she explained: “We were conscious going into this project that a number of people would say ‘I am unable to do anything, I just knit or I just crochet’ as if what they did didn’t matter.
“But once we see all the blankets together in a stupendous display, it plainly shows that it does matter and is art of top of the range.
“And because they shall be given out as symbols of compassion and like to people most in need, a few of whom sadly think they do not matter, makes it much more special.”
The installation has already received acknowledgment in each the House of Commons and the Scottish Parliament.
After its current run, which ends on 14 August, Glasgow Close Knit will move to Kelvin West Church on University Avenue from 13 September, where it’s going to be presented in a latest format to showcase the artistry of every bit.
Working alongside his wife Heidi of their creative team Gardner & Gardner, Mr Gardner described the display as “an expression of care” and praised the generosity of everyone who contributed.
“Aren’t people amazing?” he said. “It’s great to think that every of those will go to individuals who need them.”
