This may sound like a very strange mix so I will try to explain. I learnt to knit when I was young and as a teenager made my own jumpers. I find knitting relaxing, creative and social. I usually carry a small project in my bag so that if I find myself having to wait for an appointment or a meal, I can occupy myself with my needles and yarn. I enjoy knitting on long car, bus and train journeys and even while listening to music in the pub. It can be a way of starting conversations when someone asks what I am making as they are intrigued if I answer, a jumper for a mouse.
Since 2012 I have been using my knitting and creativity as a way of making pieces to be displayed in public.Yarn bombing is a type of graffiti or street art that employs colourful displays of knitted or crocheted yarn rather than paint or chalk. It is also called wool bombing, yarn storming, guerrilla knitting, kniffiti, urban knitting, or graffiti knitting.There are several posts on this blog about this.
To get back to the title of this post, I have recently decided to return to crocheting and try to get better at it. It takes up less room in my handbag and I can achieve different effects and patterns with this craft. One recent Sunday afternoon I was sitting in the cafe of the restored Wingfield Station enjoying a cup of coffee and listening to some talented local musicians while practicing making granny squares. The station is on the mainline running from Derby to Chesterfield and is a good place for some train spotting.
A customer came over to me and asked what I was doing and this started quite a long conversation. She informed me of a local community project called the Ripple Effect Dress. This is a creative project inspired by David Attenborough’s ‘Ocean’ film. People were invited to design and make a unique piece to be added to the Ripple Effect Dress. I wish I had known about it in time to take part as it sounds such a fantastic idea. However it will be possible to see the finished dress and be inspired by the work others have done on Friday May 8th. I do not have any more details at the moment but will keep an eye on their social media page Facebook, the Ripple Effect and Instagram. The Ripple Effect Dress
A bit more information about the trains part of this blog. The restoration of the Grade II listed South Wingfield Station, (one of the world’s oldest railway stations), was completed by the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust in late 2023. The project restored the building to its original 1840 appearance, featuring repaired stonework, restored fireplaces, and a new visitor centre in the adjacent Goods Shed. Wingfield Station is open to the public as a heritage centre, tea room, local community amenity, event space and is also available for private and business hire. The cafe is open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday, more information and be found here www.wingfieldstation1947.co.uk
As far as the crochet is concerned, I am enjoying getting back to learning this skill but still have a long way to go. I find the website https://attic24.co.uk extremely interesting and helpful.