A 12-hour crochet challenge is set to bring people together in Ayr while raising money for Ayrshire Hospice.
Shirley Mitchell, Val Riddiough and Jackie Macdonald, three team members from The Crafty Coo, will spend the day crocheting flowers in the shop window at 72 Sandgate. Their marathon session will run from 9am until 9pm on Sunday, August 30.
The public is being encouraged to visit throughout the day. Visitors can join the crocheters, offer encouragement or simply show their support as the trio work to create as many flowers as possible.
How people can get involved
The event will also offer a chance for local knitters and crocheters to clear out unwanted yarn. The Crafty Coo is asking people to donate yarn from their stashes, which will be turned into flowers during and after the crochet-a-thon.
There will be refreshments for supporters too. The Tree House, located directly across the road, is providing free tea and cake for people who come along.
Shirley Mitchell, co-director of The Crafty Coo, said the event was intended to combine the team’s interest in crochet with support for the local community and a charity with significance across Ayrshire.
“We wanted to do something that brought together our love of crochet and our local community while raising money for a charity that means so much to people across Ayrshire.”
She said the unusual shop-window challenge was also designed to attract attention and invite people into the event.
“We thought sitting in the shop window crocheting flowers for 12 hours would certainly get people’s attention.”
Supporters are welcome to stay for a while, pick up a crochet hook and take part, or simply call in to offer encouragement.
“We'd love people to come along, have a chat, pick up a crochet hook and join us for a while - or simply pop their head in and cheer us on.”
Where the money will go
Every penny raised on the day will be donated to Ayrshire Hospice. Money made from selling the completed crochet flowers will also go to the charity.
People who cannot attend can make a donation through the JustGiving page at justgiving.com/page/shirley-mitchell-1.
The Crafty Coo previously held a successful pop-up in Newmarket Street in June 2023 before opening a permanent shop in November 2024.