Creative Hearts

Yarndale Creative Hearts

Yarndale has become well known for it’s stunning creative displays which have wowed our visitors year after year.

By inviting makers from all over the world to join in, we’ve managed to create some truly breathtaking, large scale visual displays which have become a unique way for us to share our love of all things woolly and wonderful. There is such a tangible sense of friendship and belonging that exists within the global yarn community, and this connection shines through in the visual displays we’ve created at Yarndale every year.

In 2015, we made the decision to combine our Creative Community display with a charitable endeavour – you may remember our call for crochet and knitted flowers? This amazing project resulted in more than 5,000 yarny flowers being sent to us, enabling us to raise over £1,000 for the Alzheimers Society. Since then, the flower panels have been touring the UK (including a prestigious appearance at Kirstie Allsopp’s Handmade Fair at Hampton Court), increasing the amount of money raised to over £4,000. You can follow the on-going story of this project on the Flowers for Memories Facebook Page.

In 2016, our project involved more than 700 Woolly Sheep….baaaaaaaa! These little cuties in their woolly jumpers came from all over the world, and the Grand Sheep Sale raised over £3,000 for our local Children’s Hospice.


This year, as you may have already guessed, we are aiming to create a beautiful display of crochet and knitted hearts. In recognition of the emotional and mental well being that yarn crafts bring to so many, we are hoping that this display will raise much needed awareness and funds for Mind, the mental health charity.

We would be so thrilled if you would like to take part in this charity project by making a heart for us to display at Yarndale 2017!

Here is the information ::

Q :: How many hearts would you like me to make?

A :: Please can we ask that each person makes just ONE HEART for our display. Only ONE per person please.

Q :: What type of yarn would you like me to use?

A :: Any yarn you like! We’ve found that cotton yarn gives great results for this project, but any oddments of DK yarn will be fine.

Q :: Where can I find patterns for the crochet hearts?

A :: Any heart pattern can be used so long as the finished heart measures around 5 – 6 inches. To help you we have rounded up some fabulous FREE crochet heart patterns….

Heart Decoration by Lucy of Attic24

Grandma’s Heart by Carola Wijma

Sunburst Granny Heart by Jacquie (Bunny Mummy blog)

Daisy Heart by Lauren (Daisy Cottage Designs blog)

Granny Sweet Heart by Nancy L Drew

Sweet Heart by Bella Dia

We are also happy to receive knitted hearts – any pattern can be used, so long as the heart measures around 5 – 6 inches.

Domino Heart by Johanna Maki (knitted heart)

Q :: What needle/hook size shall I use?

A :: Details of all materials needed are contained within the patterns, but use whatever hook suits the yarn you are using. The important thing is the finished size….the finished heart should measure around 5 – 6 inches.

Q :: What size should my finished heart measure?

A :: Please aim for around 5 to 6 inches / 12 to 15cm.

Q :: What colours should I use, and can I add decorative touches to my hearts?

A :: Please use whichever colours float your boat and please be creative! So long as your heart lies flat and arrives stiffened ready for hanging, we are happy for you to embellish, button, bejewel, stitch and personalise your heart in whatever way you wish. 

Q :: Do the hearts need blocking/stiffening?

A :: Yes please. The hearts will benefit enormously from a light steam press on the reverse side to make them lovely and flat. We would also like them to be stiffened please, using a coating of white PVA craft glue on the reverse side. This will make it easier for us to hang and display the hearts.

Q :: When do you need them?

A :: We are keeping this project open until a week before Yarndale – closing date for hearts to arrive is FRIDAY 15th SEPTEMBER (that’s SIX WEEKS from now!)

Q :: Where shall I send my heart?

A :: To the following address…….

YARNDALE CREATIVE HEARTS

PO BOX 97

SKIPTON

NORTH YORKSHIRE

BD23 9EN

** Please can you be mindful of your packaging and use paper/cardboard that can be recycled (no plastic bubble wrap or padded plastic envelopes if possible please)

Q :: What information should I include with my heart?

A :: Please could you supply your name, along with your town/county/state/province and country. We’ll be compiling an image gallery and a list of makers, along with their origin.

Q :: Will this project support a charity?

A :: Yes it will. The hearts will be displayed during the Yarndale weekend, with the aim of raising awareness and monies for the mental health charity Mind. The hearts will not be sold during Yarndale weekend, but we will be encouraging visitors to donate in support of the valuable work that Mind does.

Q :: What will happen to the hearts?

 

A :: We are still in discussion about the onward journey of our Creative Hearts. We’re currently working with our local Mind representatives here in Yorkshire to decide how to maximise the potential of what we hope will be a fantastic display of creativity and community. There is a strong, proven connection between yarn crafts and mental well being, and this is something we wish to promote and celebrate in the year ahead.

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING IN WITH OUR CREATIVE HEARTS PROJECT!

With love and woolly gratitude from The Yarndale Team xxxxx

 

17 thoughts on “Creative Hearts

  1. carolyn jackson says:

    I just love these hearts, and hope to send one for Yarndale. Ive enjoyed sending bunting, mandala, and the sheep. Just wish I could be there but love seeing all the photos on the internet. Carolyn

  2. Tina says:

    Yet another lovely project to join in with – my fingers are itching to start already! Making just one will be hard though. … My friends might get one too! ?

  3. Maureen Carter says:

    Beautiful project, very meaningful …and yes, I agree that there is a proven connection between creativity, yarn craft and mental well being. Can’t wait to get started on the heart I plan to contribute. Best wishes on a very successful project and progress on your mission of raising awareness (and funds) for the mental health charity MIND. Bravo. Sending love and support from Michigan, USA.

  4. Sharon says:

    I think it would be good if, after Yarndale, the they were made into several heart walls (mounted on boards) for temporary or permanent display as visual and sensory aids in day centres/homes/hospitals that deal with mental health. The colours and patterns would be a happy feast for troubled minds and hopefully bring a smile to many faces.

  5. Diane O@Connell says:

    This is a beautiful and thoughtful project – I never usually join in anything like this but I certainly am going to have a go, thanks for the patterns x

  6. Kathryn Senior says:

    A really wonderful idea for a fundraising project for this year’s Yarndale. I love all the heart patterns and inspiration – here’s hoping you raise loads-a-money for this very important charity. I’ll be sharing on my blog and podcast to spread the word xxx Kathryn

  7. Jo Foster says:

    Hi. What a fantastic cause. I would love to crochet a heart for Mind. I suffer with depression myself so I know how tough mental health issues can be ? I have crocheted hearts for #Aheart4l dn, #Aheart4mncr And #Swapaheart. I Will get Started…..

  8. Catriona says:

    Will you be setting up a Just Giving page too? I would like to donate money as a thank you for a kindness that someone has done for me.

  9. Margaret Riley says:

    Posted my heart off to you on Saturday. Supporting Mind, but also in memory of two fantastically talented makers, Marika Slump ( Wink ) and Vanessa Cabban ( do you mind if I knit ) xx

  10. Norma Willoughby says:

    Although I live in Halifax, I would love to donate some crochet hearts to the event. I have only just stumbled on the Yarndale site so I realise that I will have to get cracking!
    Can I be really cheeky and mention that I found you from the Attic 24 blog site when searching for patterns. I have tried to subscribe to Attic 24 but the ‘subscribe’ site just comes up garbled with techno speak when I try. Any suggestions?

  11. Vearle says:

    Hi Do you have the pattern for that beautiful heat you showed on FB. I’d love to make some of them. I’m not in UK otherwise would definitely attend. Have a fantastic show.

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