A Ripon knitting group has given hand-made teddies to children entering reception this September.

The teddies were given to children joining Highfield Prep School to help ease the transition to primary school.

The teddies, which were knitted in the colours of the Harrogate school’s uniform, were made by a team from the Ripon Community Poppy Project in June.

For many children, major changes to their routines and environments, such as moving to primary school, can be very stressful. They are also particularly prone to separation anxiety at this stage.

Extra reassurance is often needed to help ease these distressing emotions, especially for socially anxious and neurodivergent children.

Head of Early Years & Foundation Stage at the school, Kathryn Wilson, came up with the idea to hand out teddies to comfort new pupils and said:

“We wanted to give the children something to take home over the Summer to encourage them to talk about joining Reception with their parents.

“They can also take the teddies on adventures over the Summer and then come and tell us all about them in September.

Hazel Barker, a friend of Ms Wilson and one of the knitting circle’s leaders, said the group was “delighted” to help out

She commented:

“We get involved with all sorts of community projects. Because I have known Kathryn such a long time, it felt like a special request we could accommodate.”

Ms Wilson added:

“We also hope that it will be a comfort for the children to bring their teddies in with them in September on their first day at ‘big school’.”

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Independent craft shops in North Yorkshire are coming together to launch a yarn trail across the county to encourage people to buy local and get into knitting.

The North Yorkshire Yarn Trail is running between September 17 and 24.

Thirteen shops will be taking part, including Yarn etc and the White Rose Sewing Machine Co in Harrogate, Knitting Pretty in Knaresborough, and Masham’s Each One Unique.

The trail is happening as part of the UK Hand Knitting Association’s first ‘Yarnstravaganza’ where wool shops nationwide host special knitting-related events.

The shop owners hope it will encourage people to use local businesses and not buy their materials on the internet.

Fiona Burks, who owns Yarn etc. on Knaresborough Road, said:

“We’re trying to keep people offline. It’s a very tactile thing, buying wool. It’s the colour, it’s the feel, the texture. It’s an experience.”

People who want to take part can pick up a “yarn passport” at a participating shop. They then get a stamp for each one they visit.

Anyone who visits all 13 shops will be entered into a prize draw. The winner will receive a £100 voucher to spend in the participating wool shop of their choice.

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The yarn trail will take in 13 shops across North Yorkshire (photo: North Yorkshire Yarn Trail)

Ms Burks also wanted to promote what she saw as the mental health benefits of knitting. She said:

“To knit or crochet, you need to spend time and process and there’s lots of repetition. It’s really quite a good and meditative thing.”

Along with Sharon King, who owns fellow participating shop Ewe and Yarn in Thirsk, the Yarn etc owner had the idea for a yarn trail a few years ago. However, the pandemic delayed their plans.

Both were inspired by trails they saw being run by wool shops in the United States. Ms Burks said:

“The ones in America are just huge. They cover big areas but they’re amazing… They have these wool shops and they’re huge. They have cafés in them – basically, they’re absolutely brilliant.”

When the world started to unravel at the beginning of last year, people of all ages picked up a ball of wool and a couple of needles to try to knit it back together again. The owner of this hidden gem of a Knaresborough knitting shop has been there with supplies and a big smile to help them along their way.

Diane Watson, who opened Knitting Pretty on Castlegate ten years ago, started off with limited stock but has built up a real cornucopia since then. Alongside the wool are products and presents that her customers have made and the shop displays with pride.

Knitting, Diane explains, is in her blood. Both her parents knitted and she often looks fondly on a picture of her grandmother, who would often be found knitting near the fire in a rocking chair.

While her grandmother firmly resembles the knitting stereotype, Diane believes that her craft is on the same paths of baking and gardening which are no longer seen as reserved for older women. Younger people have taken up the needles and made it much more fashionable.

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The last year has only sped up the spread of the knitting bug. With people stuck at home, many have struggled with their mental health and turned to knitting.

Diane has had to fight her own battle and told the Stray Ferret:

“Lockdown was really, really tough. I got paranoid thinking the worst of everything. I though the worst of covid, the worst could happen to my loved ones and the worst could happen to the shop.

“The first lockdown wasn’t too bad. The sun was shining and we tried to make the most of it. But the last lockdown was awful. I even lost my knitting mojo.”

“I was just sitting, not doing a thing. There was too much going around my head, I wasn’t sleeping well. It was scary. But coming back to the shop has made me feel so much better.

“So I have learned I do not want to retire. In fact I have just signed another five year lease.”

Diane has been able to open and has also been out as much as possible to deliver to her more vulnerable customers, no matter how small. It’s not secret that she is a people person and has thoroughly missed her group sessions in the shop, which she has called “knit and natter.”

This is part of the Stray Ferret’s ‘hidden gem’ series, highlighting small, independent businesses. They need to be tucked away but growing in popularity with an eye-catching and unique product or approach. Send us an email with your nominations.

With many of us staying at home with tons of spare time, we asked for your stories on discovering a new skill or reigniting an old passion during lockdown three.

Two women have already been in touch.

Sue Coates picked up a paint brush for the first time. She began in lockdown one and, almost 12 months on, she has found her painting style.

She said she loves to paint landscapes in particular, but some days goes for something completely different like fish.

After losing her job at Leeds Bradford Airport in August, Ms Coates found a new job in a Harrogate cafe but again she finds herself at home whilst the cafe is closed. This has given her plenty of time to paint around 50 paintings for her Otley home.

Ms Coates said:

“I saw some friends on Facebook were starting an art group so joined it and we did a weekly challenge. Then just started to draw and paint most days as I really enjoy it. I try whatever takes my fancy. Painting takes your mind off things.”

A piece Ms Coates is currently working on.

Ms Coates said this lockdown had been harder than those before because it is in winter so she can’t go on walks as easily.

She is determined to continue her new hobby and has even begun painting friends’ pets for them.

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In Harrogate, Kim Wilson was used to 17 hour days working as a hotelier before lockdown was enforced. Now she has begun to fill her time with knitting and cross stitch.

Prior to lockdown, Ms Wilson said she would have to try and fit her hobbies around work but after months of closure she has found more time to dedicate to them.

Her hobby has also allowed her to help community efforts locally, in the form of Harrogate scrubbers, and abroad by making face masks for African children.

One of Ms Wilson’s huge cross stitch projects.

Ms Wilson added:

“I’d rather do something useful with my time whilst I can’t do anything else. I’ve also joined some online groups of crafters, we all have something in common and help each other when we can. There’s a real community feel.”

Ms Wilson has also continued to support local businesses, using craft shops’ click and collect service to get her material.

Have you found a new hobby in lockdown? Have you learnt a new language, started baking for the first time or turned your hobby into a new business, we want to hear from you! Email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk