Remember when I spied a little yarn bombed bike in front of the Renwick Gallery a couple of weeks ago? Curiosity piqued, I returned to the gallery to find out if the staff there knew anything about it.

I discovered that the bike was a gift to the Renwick from Olek, a noted New York City-based yarn bomb artist. She is amazing! Bicycles, statues, apartments… she yarn bombs it all. Check out more of her work here. I mistakenly thought she knitted her projects, but Olek’s site clarifies that she, in fact, crochets. Perhaps there is hope for me in this arena yet.

Below is a photo of a photo of a photo of Olek with her bicycle in front of the Renwick.

According to the Renwick site, Olek (born in 1978) will be part of the 40 under 40: Craft Futures exhibition that will kick off in mid-2012. I can’t wait to see more of her work in person!

While Olek gifted the bike to the gallery, it is not part of the Renwick’s collection. Someone there takes care of it, though, locking it outside for all to enjoy during business hours, weather permitting. People are free to photograph and touch the bike. Good thing, because I am developing quite a collection of pictures of this little bicycle.

The sweet image of this little bicycle with training wheels, the bright colors, and the soft yarn texture make it one of my favorite things to see on my commute. It is a sharp contrast to the concrete, brick, and many hues of gray that abound in the city. Thanks, Olek, for giving this bike to the Renwick so that all of us can enjoy it.