Crochet might be a popular way to create clothing and accessories, but it's also a great way to express yourself.
The Florida Craftsmen Gallery in Downtown St Petersburg is preparing to showcase a new exhibition, featuring all manner of sea creatures and marine life.
Entitled Crochet Coral Reef the entire collection has been handmade out of yarn to create an enormous installation.
Beginning way back in January, 296 people from around the world have been involved in stitching together their own pieces of art from a wide variety of colours.
The worldwide Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef project has fast become an imaginary ecosystem, educating the public while also displaying a fantastic example of crochet creativity.
It was started by two twin sisters who were keen to fuse together art and awareness and they’ve certainly done that!
On August 20th the gallery will host a Science Café event featured by The Pier Aquarium, where Dr Pam Muller, professor of Biogeological Oceanography at the University of South Florida, will be appearing to discuss the plight of coral reefs and how to preserve this vulnerable environment.
Families can meanwhile have a peek at the 1,200 square foot exhibit featuring bleached coral reef, oil spill reef, crocheted shells, fish, eels, rays and other marine creatures.
It's designed to be interactive so there will be plenty of games going on, including a scavenger hunt, competitions, colouring in and even the opportunity to see a live coral tank from the nearby aquarium.
From September 1st people can begin buying the crocheted pieces, so you could build your own reef at home or use the pieces as inspiration for your own work.
All money goes to marine conservation charities, rather than the artists, meaning you can rest assured that it's going to help preserve the plight of coral reefs.
