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'Christmas tree' of woolly hats for the homeless

Brough Yarn Bombers The tree sits on a table with lights around the hats - the bobbles are knitted in different colours to imitate baubles.Brough Yarn Bombers
The hats are free to those who need them

Crafters in an East Yorkshire town have created a 'Christmas tree' using woolly hats they have made.

The colourful creation has gone on display at The Petuaria Community Centre in Brough.

Ali Davis, from the 25-strong Brough Yarn Bombers group, said: "People who are cold or in need can take a hat free of charge."

Others are encouraged to make a donate to homeless charity Emmaus UK in return for a hat, she said.

Brough Yarn Bombers A knitted Queen and Prince Philip stand either side of a knitted crown on this topper. Brough Yarn Bombers
Ali Davis started crocheting during the Covid pandemic

Ms Davis said the group was also busy making postbox toppers, with admirers invited to donate to Martin House, which supports young people with life-limiting conditions.

The knitting group meet once a month in the Ferry Inn pub.

Ms Davis said she started crocheting during lockdown and had a go at her first postbox topper for the Queen's Jubilee.

She said: "I just kind of got the bug really, and then sort of kept challenging myself to more and more intricate ones."

Brough Yarn Bombers Mary and Joseph, the three wise men, a shepherd and sheep and other animals gather around the knitted baby Jesus on top of a crocheted manger.Brough Yarn Bombers
A knitted nativity scene

The creations can take anywhere between 10 and 50 hours to make, she said.

Toppers are changed monthly, with the group taking requests to support different charities.

Over the years they have knitted toppers for the Girl Guides, The Wildlife Alliance and the British Heart Foundation.

Brough Yarn Bombers Knitted fish and chips are in a polystyrene food box. A large knitted seagull sits to the side of it, with a large knitted chip in its beak.Brough Yarn Bombers
Ms Davis loans her work to other communities, including this one which went to Bala, Wales

Ms Davis said crafting gives members a focus.

She added: "It takes the burden away just for a couple of hours a month."

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