Charter Day knitters refuse to get crotchety over stolen handiwork

The colourful knitted handiwork created by a dedicated group of yarn bombers has been targeted by thieves.
Members of Yarn Bomb Tring with some of their handiwork in Church Square, Tring, June 2015Members of Yarn Bomb Tring with some of their handiwork in Church Square, Tring, June 2015
Members of Yarn Bomb Tring with some of their handiwork in Church Square, Tring, June 2015

Crafty members of Yarn Bomb Tring spent months diligently crocheting and knitting bunting, hats, scarves, creatures and more decorations.

Their creations were then attached to street furniture in Tring’s Church Square as a way of marking Charter Day on Monday (June 29).

The vibrant display caused a stir in the market town, with people stopping to chat and take photos.

But this morning it was discovered that several items had been taken from the town centre, despite being fixed down with cable ties.

The phenomenon has been praised on social media in wake of Charter Day so when news of the thefts reached the town’s Everything Tring Facebook page, angry commenters branded the theft ‘disgusting’.

Organiser Sally Spriggs said: “None of us are really ‘outraged’, we’re just taking it tongue-in-cheek.

“But we are going to show everyone that we’re not going to take it lying down!

“Everyone has worked really hard and with such effort and enthusiasm.

“I’ve had huge numbers of people talking to me about yarn bombing and lots more people have joined the group on Facebook in the last few days.

“It’s been such a great thing and what I’d really like to do is get more people together in small groups so they can have a go. Hopefully we’ve inspired some people!”

Now the group, which has more than 30 members, are working busily to come up with replacements.

The display will remain in Church Square until Sunday, when the items will be donated to Knit For Peace.

The charity distributes knitted items such as blankets to hospitals, women’s refuges, refugee drop in centres, prisons, community groups and hospices.

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