Animal magic boosts craft group

Members of an Aylsham-based group with a love of all things crafty pooled their talents to produce a splendid knitted Noah’s Ark.

A WORK OF ARK: The knitted Noah’s Ark was a team effort.

The Hooked on Stitching group, which meets regularly in a pavilion at Aylsham Recreation Ground, is a self-supporting not-for-profit organisation, and is always looking for ways to boost funds. “The Noah’s Ark was an idea that came to us when we were discussing how we could support the group. We all decided Noah’s Ark would be a good start point,” said group member and fundraiser Julie Brown. “There were about 15 people involved. It took us about four months and the person who won it was Veronica, a member of the group, who had actually worked on the Noah’s Ark. We raised £350 from it in a raffle.”

The group was set up a few years ago by retired Aylsham High School teacher Jilly Willis – a former head of hospitality and catering at the school with a love of textiles and crafting. She also runs a shop selling wool and an array of related items at the pavilion.

Hooked on Stitching meets regularly throughout the week and is open to anyone who wants to share their skills and ideas, or simply learn more. As well as knitting and crocheting, various other workshops are held on topics such as lampshade making or jewellery-making.

TOGETHERNESS: Members of Hooked On Stitching enjoy craft and conversation.

It is a friendly sociable group, which embraces members of all ages and abilities. There are chat ‘n’ craft sessions, where people can just drop in for a cuppa and conversation, crochet sessions for children, and woolly workshops. “I thoroughly enjoy it,” said Julie. “I look forward to my Wednesdays. We have got school children, elderly people, disabled people, lovely conversations and we all just love knitting and chatting. It’s a little bit of everything but mainly knitting and crocheting.”

For more information about the group and session times visit the Hooked on Stitching Aylsham Facebook page, phone 07970016961 or email jilly.hookedonstitching@gmail.com