The Bristol knittivity has become a familiar sight in shopping centres around Bristol just before Christmas. However I thought you might be interested in the story behind its creation. A few years ago, a group of friends who worked at St. Teresa’s catholic school in Horfield, Bristol started a knitting group called the knutty knitters. When Christine, one of the group became ill with cancer and sadly died her friends decided to do something to raise funds for St. Peter’s hospice where she had spent her last weeks. St. Peter’s hospice is the only adult hospice in Bristol and each year they care for about 2,500 patients. Care is provided free of charge but the hospice costs about £20,000 a day to run. About £15,000 of this comes from legacies, donations and shop purchases.
The ladies decided to use their hobby to raise funds and the Bristol knittivity was the result. Eventually the seven knutty knitters made 13 figures, 3 kings, 2 shepherds, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, an angel, a donkey, a sheep, a lamb and a camel. Each figure used up to 7 lbs of wool and took about 9 months to knit. The talented ladies even made their own patterns.
Each year St. Peter’s hospice choose the figures for one of their charity Christmas cards and photograph them against a famous Bristol landmark like the Clifton suspension bridge or the Cabot tower.
The future
The knutty knitters have raised over £150,000 from the knitivity but unfortunately this will be the last year it will be on display as it is getting old and worn. In my photo taken in a local supermarket the poor donkey and camel are showing the effects of too many children trying to ride them. The knutty knitters have knitted a smaller version of the nativity for display at St. Peter’s hospice and I have heard that there may be knitted penguins on tour next year.
For those people who are old enough to remember the two Ronnies sketch, my favourite card from St. Peter’s hospice this year has to be Four candles
2019 update
This year the Christmas card selection includes the four candles and penguins in Bristol but not the Knittivity.
16 responses to “The Bristol knittivity”
This is just the sort of story that makes my heart swell at this time of year. What a staggering amount of money they’ve raised as well, and such a shame it’s the last year
Wow that is amazing! What a fantastic way to raise money
Love the fact that money is being raised. Amazing work done.
This is incredible! What an amazing amount of money to have raised x
Oh wow this is amazing and a fab way to raise money!
What a nice story behing this lovely initiative but sad it will be the last year its on displa
What a fabulpus way to raise money, well done
Hi Anne! What a great story! Thanks for joining us at the #BloggingGrandmothers End of the Year Link Party 2018
What a wonderful thing, from such a sad start. Fork handles is my favourite sketch too!
It’s a shame to hear the Knittivity is wearing out, but I can’t wait to see the penguins!
Hi, Anne – What an inspiring story! I love when an individual, or small group, decide to do something that makes a HUGE difference to others. This is a great reminder that there is no end to the good that we can do when we put our minds to it. Thank you for sharing this.
Hi Anne – I’m glad to find your blog after your commented on my blog. This is such a nice story how the knutty knitters have turned their talents into something good for the community. Thanks for sharing.
WOW! Awesome charity and what wonderful knitted figures! Thank you Anne for linking up with us at the #BloggingGrandmothers End of the Year Link Party 2018!
I have been reading the other posts, pleased to meet you all.
Oh wow, I had no idea of the story behind this, nor that £150,000 has been raised by knutter knitters. What a fantastic project, very sad that scene is in its last year. Thanks for sharing, you learn something new every day! 🙂
xx
Thanks for your quick comment and like.