Biography

Upon learning to knit, Leanne Prain co-founded a stitch and bitch called Knitting and Beer in order to expand her skills while knitting in a pub. While the group disbanded, she continues to be amazed at what can be created with two needles and a bit of yarn. In 2006, she was introduced to the knit graffiti (aka Yarn Bombing) movement via the internet, and the political and cultural aspects of modern handicrafts have turned into a downright obsession for her. In 2008, Leanne co-authored the subversive knitting book Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti with knitting editrix Mandy Moore (published by Arsenal Pulp Press) in 2009. Yarn Bombing has been distributed throughout Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. In 2011, it will be translated into German by Droemer Knaur.

Crafty since childhood, Leanne learned to sew at an early age and has a passion for stitch work, silk-screening, fabric painting, knitting, and textile design. As a communications designer, she is equally fascinated with street art, typography, photography, paper art, indie publishing, letterpress printing, social media, and technology. She has a particular interest in how handmade skills can flourish and be taught in the internet age.

Photograph by Jeff Christenson

Leanne has a BFA in Creative Writing and Art History from the University of British Columbia, and a Master of Publishing Degree from Simon Fraser University. She is a professional member of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada, the BC Federation of Writers, and the Writers Union of Canada.

Born and raised in the Comox Valley; Leanne now writes, designs, and lives in a West End heritage building in Vancouver, Canada. She is at work on a new book called Hoopla: The Art of Unexpected Embroidery which will be released in the fall of 2011 by Arsenal Pulp Press.

Elsewhere online:

Leanne was recently named a Shameless Woman by Shameless Magazine. You can read her Q&A here: http://www.shamelessmag.com/blog/2010/02/leanne-prain-knit-graffiti-artist

She blogs about knit graffiti at www.yarnbombing.com and about her writing process for a new embroidery book at www.unexpectedembroidery.com