Knitting isn’t just for the elderly any more.

The Knitters at Grace Church took the Quinlan Visual Arts Center in Gainesville by storm — or rather, yarnbomb.

The knitting group, lead by Judy Carpenter, fitted the metal horse sculpture outside the gallery with a custom saddle blanket, bridle and tail tassle, all done in regal crimson, purple and gold yarn. 

Yarnbombing is growing form of installation art where artists craft covers for everything from trees and pipes to statuary and vehicles.

Dubbed “grandma graffiti” by some, yarnbombing is quickly changing how the knitting community is viewed, taking their craft from pastime to fiber art.

In March, Carpenter approached Amanda McClure, executive director for the Quinlan, about creating an installation of her own. 

“Friends of mine did (a yarnbombing) in Austin at the Blanton Museum. That was how I found out about it,” said Carpenter. “I participated in one in Atlanta in the spring at Freedom Parkway. I came to Paula (Lindner, assistant director) and Amanda and said ‘We need to do this, and if you don’t give us the OK, we just might do it anyway.’”

Carpenter’s knitting group was joined by the Georgia Mountain Spinners Guild, which set up spinning wheels on the lawn to chat, spin and watch the installation take place.

For founder Lynn Johnson, spinning is form of meditation. Members of the guild take pride in spinning their own yarn, often from their own sheep or alpacas. 

The yarnbombers were also joined by mysterious contributor “Knitsee,” whose tree ornaments appeared in various locations throughout the Quinlan grounds. 

“The whole idea about bombing really is for it to be spontaneous and not planned. It’s all about having fun,” Carpenter said.

The yarn installation appears in conjunction with the Quinlan’s 64th annual Members’ Exhibition, which opens Thursday. 

“It might make people drive down the street and say, ‘What’s going on over there?’” McClure said, lacing one of her knitted pieces onto a tree trunk.

Unlike paint or chalk grafitti, yarnbombs are considered nonpermanent and can be easily removed if necessary.

Want in on the fun? The Quinlan will be offering fiber classes this fall. 

The horse, whom the knitters named “Captain Butler,” will display his regal attire outside the Quinlan until November.

The Quinlan Visual Arts Center is located at 514 Green Street NE, Gainesville.