Boston Transit Art Goes Viral on Social Media
Boston designer's hand-knit sweater featuring Orange, Green, and Red Line trains goes viral
MBTA Sweater Goes Viral After Rider Knits Transit Art
A Boston graphic designer's hand-knit sweater featuring MBTA trains has captured riders' attention across social media. Megan Lam created the transit-themed piece inspired by her daily commutes on the system's Orange, Green and Red lines, completing the project she started in November. The sweater debuted on Instagram last week with an MBTA-themed photoshoot and received overwhelming positive feedback from transit riders and knitting enthusiasts.
Designer Drew Inspiration From Transit Culture
Lam drew inspiration from multiple sources in the transit and fiber arts communities, according to her social media posts. Irish creator Siobh's Knits and San Francisco's BART holiday sweaters influenced her design approach. She also cited "Love on the Spectrum" star Pari Kim's enthusiasm for the MBTA as motivation for the project. Rather than using an existing pattern, Lam chose to design the sweater herself, creating a unique piece that reflects her personal connection to Boston's transit system.
Sweater Features Lines From Designer's Daily Routes
The sweater features trains from the MBTA's commuter rail and the Orange, Green and Red lines. These routes represent the lines Lam used most during her time at Northeastern University and her current job at Harvard Magazine. She was particularly inspired by the Red Line's view crossing the Charles River at sunset, a detail that influenced the sweater's design. Lam, a former print design co-op at The Boston Globe, incorporated specific visual elements from her regular commutes into the knitted artwork.
Creator Plans More Boston Transit Projects
Lam plans to create more Boston-themed projects following the sweater's viral success. Her upcoming work includes a "Make Way for Ducklings" sweater and a Public Garden tulip-inspired cardigan. Unlike many fiber arts creators, she prefers not to share patterns for her projects, viewing her pieces as unique, one-of-a-kind art pieces. The designer hasn't announced specific timelines for when the new Boston-themed projects will be completed.
Viral Sweater Highlights Rider Connection to Transit
The sweater's popularity reflects riders' personal connections to Boston's transit system and the creative ways commuters engage with public transportation. Transit riders interested in following Lam's future Boston-themed projects can find updates through her social media channels. Moovit provides real-time updates and trip planning for MBTA routes throughout Boston, helping riders navigate the Orange, Green, Red and commuter rail lines featured in the viral sweater.
