Creative crafters in Hertfordshire have celebrated the forthcoming Olympic Games in Paris by crocheting and knitting sporting events to decorate 37 postboxes.
Around 100 members of the Secret Society of Hertford Crafters spent months knitting, crocheting and crafting the Olympic-themed postbox toppers.
Dubbed 'The Yarnlympics', the SSOHC summer yarnbomb is a celebration of sporting excellence, with a special nod to games being held in Paris, all in woollen form.
The sporty tributes are on display from today (Sunday, July 21), with the group hoping to raise money for the Hertfordshire Breast Unit Appeal.
You can see the amazing post box toppers in Hertford and Ware, with 26 of them in the county town and 11 in Ware.
The decorations pay tribute to different events and aspects of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, with spectators, athletes, flags and medals making up the toppers.
A spokesperson said: "We have knitted and crocheted golf, wheelchair basketball, triathletes, gymnastics, hockey, skateboarding, canoeing, cycling, swimming, para-athlete runners, heptathlon, rowing, dressage, hurdles, tennis, relay, ladies’ archery, sailing and pommel horse gymnasts – amongst others."
They have also crafted well-known Parisian landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, and to acknowledge the history of this sporting event, there is a chariot racer and a scene at the Acropolis.
"The Yarnlympics wouldn’t be complete without a flaming cauldron, medals and a winners’ podium, so we made them too!" added the spokesperson.
Marge Ellis, 74, a retired teacher and project supporter of the group from Little Hadham, Hertfordshire, told the PA news agency: “Sometimes we need something to smile about and we want to bring a bit of joy.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to know that you have made someone happy.”
One intricate topper shows triathletes competing while spectators watch in the background, while another shows numerous pairs of knitted legs poking out of a pool to represent synchronised swimming.
With four key themes — Sports, Para-athletes, History and Paris — the statistics of the Yarnlympics 2024 yarnbomb are astonishing.
Yarnlympics yarnbomb in numbers
- 178 Spectators
- 75 Athletes
- 49 Flags
- 26 Sports
- 25 Medals
- 11 Para-athletes
- 5 Referees
- 1 Winners’ Podium
- 1 Ancient Greek Scene
- 1 Cauldron
- 1 Chariot Racer
- 1 Eiffel Tower
- 1 Arc de Triomphe
Some specific postbox topper themes include:
- Tennis match with line and chair umpires and ball boy.
- Eight synchronised swimmers (legs only).
- Two boxers in the ring with a referee and a crowd of spectators.
- 7 Para-athlete runners.
- The heptathlon.
- Skateboarding with an upside down rider.
- Wheelchair basketball.
- Hockey match with 70 spectators.
- Vision impaired runner & guide.
- Triathlon.
- An ancient Greek chariot racer.
- Arc de Triomphe including the tomb of the unknown soldier.
- The Eiffel Tower.
Organisers have also devised a quiz which engages and encourages children to explore nine Hertford town centre postbox displays.
Follow the link on the SSOHC website www.ssohc.co.uk to download the quiz.
A printed copy of the quiz may be collected from the Yarnbombers’ stall in Salisbury Square, Hertford and completed quizzes may be returned here too.
Quizzes may also be collected and returned at Hertford Town Tourist & Information Centre. Check their website for opening times.
https://www.hertford.gov.uk/town-tourist-information-centre-1/
A SSOHC spokesperson added: "We are pleased to have a collecting licence so we can sell gorgeous crafted items on our stall in Salisbury Square, Hertford.
"This enables us to raise more funds for the Hertfordshire Breast Unit Appeal. On our stall you can find Yarnlympic-themed goodies, with many red, white and blue clothed figures, lions, little gifts and pocket money items."
The stall in Salisbury Square will be open on the following dates, weather-permitting, between 11am to 4pm every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from July 25 until August 11.
To donate to the crafters' Hertfordshire Breast Unit Appeal visit https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/yarnbombing2024
For more about the Hertfordshire Breast Unit Appeal visit https://hertfordshirebreastunitappeal.co.uk/
Definition of Yarnbombing
Secretly covering things in woollen and crafted objects in order to create surprise, delight and joy to those who view it.
Who are The Secret Society of Hertford Crafters?
The SSOHC is a group of around 150 members who have a wide range of crafting skills; from novice knitters to capable crocheters, fabulous felters to quality quilters.
Around 100 members have actively participated in this current yarnbombing event.
The group was formed in January 2017 and yarnbombing installations have included the Poppy Cascade at Hertford Castle in 2018 to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War, Enchanted Wonderland in summer 2019, Hertford’s Advent Christmas Tree 2019, a joint venture with Scott’s Grotto in summer 2021, and a celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022.
In May 2023, the crafters celebrated King Charles III’s Coronation, created an 'Under the Sea' theme in the summer and in December depicted British animals and birds preparing for Christmas.
Over the last seven years, the talented crafters have raised over £167,000 for many local charities, including Isabel Hospice, Royal British Legion, CHIPS (Children’s Integrated Play Schemes), Herts Young Homeless, Carers in Herts, Citizens Advice, Scott’s Grotto, Samaritans, Mudlarks, and Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust.
A spokesperson said: "As one of our members said, 'Not bad for a few old birds and some wool.'"
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