Yarn crafters bring Alice in Wonderland to town

About 200 crafters have paid tribute to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by creating curious designs including a mad hatter's tea party, playing cards, flamingos and rabbits.

Rugby Yarn Bombers' work will appear in shop windows and public spaces in the Warwickshire town for four weeks to mark the 160th anniversary of Lewis Carroll's famous book.

Ceri Line, co-owner of Wild and Free eco store in Bank Street, is the lead organiser of the event and visitors can get trail maps from the shop from Saturday.

Crafters have also made nearly 100 bollards "blossom with handmade roses" said organisers, who are paying tribute to the "strange and delightful world" created by the former Rugby School pupil.

"It's about joy, really," said Ms Line.

"Joy in making, joy in community and joy in turning heads when someone rounds a corner and sees a nonsense sign or colourful character."

The event takes place in the town from 12 July until 9 August.

Organisers said visitors can expect to see more than 50 trees donned with colourful coats crafted by local groups and "curious characters" in unexpected places.

The more than 30 scenes will include a yarn interpretation of a lost chapter from the Through the Looking Glass sequel.

The town's yarn bomb community was formed by the eco products shop and founders said the aim was to "bring people together in a post-pandemic world that can often feel isolating".

Organisers added the event had been "fuelled by generosity" with no public money spent and "every metre of yarn, every pin and needle" and spaces for working and storage freely given.

"It's proof that a community, given encouragement and just enough nonsense, can stitch together something quite extraordinary," they said.

They are looking ahead to crafting for further events including around Halloween.

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