Kildare Yarn Bombers crafting crochet and connections

The Kildare Yarn Bombers celebrates the craft of crochet for its artistic and social connections championing a core message of sustainability.

Annie Morris of Kildare Yarn Bombers started the Newbridge group through an ICA group (Irish Countrywomen’s Association), before the group took off flight into their own sole operation.

Annie got involved in lots of different local groups at the beginning to pass on the art of crochet. 

She said: “I would go into various groups and get them motivated about making crochet.” 

She believes that crochet is a brilliant activity for "switching off the brain," and is committed to sharing the craft with as many people she can. Very passionate about humanitarianism and mental health, Annie and Kildare Yarn Bombers made it their mission to work with the elderly, the vulnerable and those with disabilities. 

Annie said: “We have done work with Care and Platinum club, who have been involved with Kildare Yarn Bombers since the beginning.” 

The group is held together by complete voluntary support, with the kindness and talent of people in the local community that are nuts about crochet and the wonderful things you can make with it.

For example, Annie brought attention to a very talented crocheter, Signe Straumer, who made 200 crochet items in her spare time for Team Hope, the charity for vulnerable children overseas.

“She’s one of those people that make flipping amazing things. She made 200 boxes with hats and scares for Hope,” said Annie.

Annie's most proud and “personal pet project” was with the nuns in Holy Family Convent, Newbridge. She made a close relationship with one incredibly talented nun named Sr Columba, who sadly passed in 2021, and who is sorely missed in the community and particularly by Annie.

“I worked with the sisters on granny squares and circles, and I would then bring them home and make them into something else. Crochet is really an art form. 

"What we do is an art form. We’re getting the grannys to make the granny squares, but turning it into something funky. Creatively, there’s just so much you can do with crochet," she explained.

Aside from the group, Annie works with Noah’s Ark charity shop in Newbridge, which raises funds for the KWWSPCA. 

Every Sunday from 2pm until 4pm, she opens the shop for a “drop and swap” for yarn bombers and crafters alike to come together and buy secondhand clothes and wool for various projects. Items are very low in price with a €1 rack available, with 100 per cent of proceeds going directly to the animal shelter. 

As well as donating to a very worthy cause, Annie sees huge merit in the recycling of pre-loved items into new projects. 

“It’s a place for people to meet and buy secondhand clothes. You can come in and donate, drop your squares off, or pick up items.” 

The Yarn Bombers are busy getting crochet squares together for this year’s June Fest, which sees many pieces of crochet hung to trees and railings to decorate Newbridge and bring colour to the town.

The group is also working on breaking the Irish record for the longest bunting ever made. The longest bunting made to date is at a length of 8 miles, so it will take a lot of hard work and many aching hands to achieve this feat. 

The Newbridge group got a great boost recently with a recently spot on the Ray D’Arcy Show on RTÉ Radio 1.

For anyone that is interested in getting involved in any of this year’s yarn bombing projects, they are more than welcome to join.

With no restrictions on age or ability, Annie said: “In our community of yarn bombers there have been at least 1,000 people involved. The youngest was four and the oldest was 97.

"If all you do is make a pom pom and tie it to a tree, you are a part of this group!” 

The yarn bombing set-up day for June Fest will be on 28 May, so get in touch with the Kildare Yarn Bombers Facebook page for more information on how to join in.