Knitting enthusiasts from the North East have embarked on a creative endeavour to craft charming Shaun the Sheep toys out of wool, while a prominent North East hospice invites others to join their endeavour.
St. Oswald’s Hospice presents the third instalment of their art trail, titled “Shaun the Sheep on the Tyne,” scheduled to take place from July 19th to September 27th, 2023. The trail will feature 45 large and 70 small sculptures of the beloved woolly companion from Wallace and Gromit, strategically placed at notable landmarks throughout Newcastle.
Since the announcement of the trail, the hospice has been overwhelmed with an outpouring of hand-knitted Shauns and other sheep-themed items sent by knitters across the region. In light of this, the hospice intends to sell these delightful creations, along with other merchandise related to the trail, to generate funds for their cause. They extend a call to fellow knitters to lend their expertise and support in this endeavour.
The hospice is providing patterns for everything from Shaun toys to woolly gloves, hats and scarves and any items donated to the hospice will be labelled by its fundraising team to show they have been ‘made with love in aid of St Oswald’s Hospice’ and to meet guidelines from Trading Standards.
They will then be sold at the trail’s specially created HQ stand in the foyer at Newcastle Civic Centre – where trail maps and other merchandise will be available – and at fairs and community events throughout the Art Trail to raise funds for patients and their families.
“St Oswald’s Hospice is a cause close to my heart, so I was more than happy to help out by knitting some Shauns to sell to raise funds.
“I found getting Shaun right was a bit fiddly at first but I soon got the hang of it. The legs were a challenge but I soon cracked it and I am really pleased with how they turned out.
“I have really enjoyed creating them and hope they are able to raise lots of money for the hospice during the trail.”
One keen knitter is Hazel Marshall from Newcastle
“We will accept any sheep related crafts, particularly knitted and crocheted Shaun the sheep and we have knitting patterns to inspire, although people can feel free to make whatever they like.
“If people want to support the campaign and don’t want to make anything, we are also looking for donations of wool, craft materials and fillings for soft toys. Simply sharing the knitting pattern and info with people they know will also be a huge help.”
Susan MacKellar, Fundraising Coordinator at St Oswald’s Hospice
Local businesses have also stepped in to help, with Ann’s Wool Shop at Guide Post donating a bag of wool, giving out knitting patterns in the shop and posting on social media to recruit knitters.
Ready Steady Knit at Prudhoe has donated bags of stuffing and is giving out knitting patterns, while Fine Fettle Fibres at Felton also donated a bag of good quality wool.
Knitters have until 19 July to create their handmade Shaun on the Tyne, as this is when the trail will go live in Newcastle.
Anyone interested or who would like to be involved should contact the Supporter Care Team on 0191 246 9123, email supportercare@stoswaldsuk.org or visit www.shaunonthetyne.co.uk
The trail can also be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #shaunonthetyne.
Shaun the Sheep on the Tyne is being held in conjunction with creative producers Wild in Art, along with Shaun the Sheep creators Aardman and headline trail sponsor Newcastle City Council.
