Crafty folk create Dales twist on story
Our pictures, taken by John Perry, show scenes from the Knitivity above, with, bottom right, from left, group members Sandra Kilvington, Sandie Parsons and Sarah Perry.
Members of the Knit and Natter group at St Michael and All Angels Church in Hubberholme have created a very special 'Knitivity' scene which will be on display in the church for the whole of December.
The historic church is now populated with knitted figures which illustrate the Nativity story, with a distinctive Dales twist.
The project has been praised by the Bishop of Ripon, the Right Rev Anna Eltringham, who said: “What a great way to connect with the community and share the story of Christmas.”
The group decided to knit the scene after the success of knitting the ‘Posada’ characters Mary, Joseph and a donkey for Kettlewell Primary school three years ago.
During December the children take turns taking them home for a night and looking after them, replicating Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
A group spokesperson said: “We thought we would put a Dales twist on the story, changing the stable for a Yorkshire Dales barn full of local breeds of animals, which has been beautifully embroidered by one of our talented ladies, Sarah Perry.
“Mary and Joseph travel along the ‘Dales Way’ with their donkey while the shepherds are on the ‘hillsides’ with their sheep surrounded by local flora and fauna as they are today and using their ‘local dialect’.
“The kings set off over the oriental ‘moors’ enhanced by local dried hedgerow grasses and the beautiful host of angels flying under the church’s historic rood loft amongst the stars and clouds with the Angel Gabriel.
“Every single person in our group has either knitted, crocheted or embroidered some part of this project over the last year, from sandal straps to the kings’ gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, along with all the characters, animals, flora and fauna.
“We do hope you enjoy our Dales Knitivity twist.”
The historic church is now populated with knitted figures which illustrate the Nativity story, with a distinctive Dales twist.
The project has been praised by the Bishop of Ripon, the Right Rev Anna Eltringham, who said: “What a great way to connect with the community and share the story of Christmas.”
The group decided to knit the scene after the success of knitting the ‘Posada’ characters Mary, Joseph and a donkey for Kettlewell Primary school three years ago.
During December the children take turns taking them home for a night and looking after them, replicating Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
A group spokesperson said: “We thought we would put a Dales twist on the story, changing the stable for a Yorkshire Dales barn full of local breeds of animals, which has been beautifully embroidered by one of our talented ladies, Sarah Perry.
“Mary and Joseph travel along the ‘Dales Way’ with their donkey while the shepherds are on the ‘hillsides’ with their sheep surrounded by local flora and fauna as they are today and using their ‘local dialect’.
“The kings set off over the oriental ‘moors’ enhanced by local dried hedgerow grasses and the beautiful host of angels flying under the church’s historic rood loft amongst the stars and clouds with the Angel Gabriel.
“Every single person in our group has either knitted, crocheted or embroidered some part of this project over the last year, from sandal straps to the kings’ gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, along with all the characters, animals, flora and fauna.
“We do hope you enjoy our Dales Knitivity twist.”
Above, Knit and Natter Group members with one of the festive scenes.