commemorating topical events in wool
using my front window as a gallery.I’ve always taken an interest in politics
so it was impossible to resist the
2015 election. I knitted all of the major
party candidates alongside my local ones.
When Natalie Bennett re-tweeted her
woolly likeness the world briefly went mad!Buzzfeed picked up on my work and rather
oddly assumed I was a man, then the BBC
and ITV sent reporters. I’ve also covered
the US presidential elections (Trump in
teapot form became T-POTUS) and Brexit
has been an absolute blessing for my
knitting. My depictions – I hope – are
humorous and not too unkind! I love
hearing the laughter outside and I’ve been
told that I make politics fun.In 2016, my friend Jill Burford suggested
we take part in an annual banger car
challenge organised by a local charity,
Martha Trust. Dubbing ourselves Grans on
the Run, we bought a 20 year old Astra forO
ne for following a pattern
but never the crowd
PATRICIA WILSON provides
social commentary with a
difference. When she’s not driving
around in a crafty car or raising money
and awareness for worthy causes, this
talented knitter is busy transforming
news stories into impressive woolly
displays. Inspired, entertained and eager
to find out more, we couldn’t wait for
Patricia to share her life in patterns...Although I knitted as a teenager, I didn’t
pick up my needles again until 2011. In
celebration of Prince William’s marriage
to Kate Middleton, Fiona Goble released
Knit Your Own Royal Wedding. It was the
spark for me to resume knitting, as my Irish
family are all big royalists. My grandfather
worked for the Royal Stud and each year
we used to get Christmas puddings from
the palace.Once I had finished the book, I decided to
display my knits in my front window. I live
in Deal, Kent, where the house fronts
face straight onto the narrow streets and
parking is prohibited so people can get up
close. The reaction was amazing and it
started me off on an incredible journey98
Pat’s knits are
royally impressiveTime for tea? Pat is known
for her political knitsPat and Jill’s amazing
vehicle certainly stands
out on the road
Pat’s projects are
fit for a Prince!£200, posted a plea on Facebook for
blankets and unfinished projects, then
covered the vehicle in knitting and crochet.
We raised an astonishing £6,500 driving to
Rome and then another £6,000 by driving
to Monte Carlo the following year.Another friend Jenny Knight flew out
to Monte Carlo to drive the car back
with me. On our return we were spotted by
ICHF Events who run the Creative Craft
Shows and they invited us to bring the car
to their upcoming show. We also took along
Jenny’s campervan which was then covered
in knitting and crochet during the course of
the event. Our display was such a success
that ICHF asked us back the following year
to share a year-long community project
commemorating the twin centenaries of the
end of WW1 and women getting the vote.
We were joined by Avril Collier and
renamed ourselves Grans on the Make.In collaboration with ICHF we have since
raised £13,000 for a small park in Lytham
St Annes. This year we are focusing on
dementia and asking people to contribute
to a memory wall at each of our five shows
by making hearts and forget-me-nots. If you
would like to get involved, please visit the
Grans on the Make Facebook page.“My depictions
- I hope -
are humorous and
not too unkind!”
MY LIFE
IN PATTERNS