Hurst Hookers have just staged their largest ‘speggtacular’ display – a huge woollen Easter egg with a white bunny on top.
Two metres high and 1.5 metres wide, the egg and its rabbit were revealed on Saturday, March 16, at the busy A321 junction with School Road in central Hurst.
The group is named after the hook used with wool to create the displays made of crochet. About 20 people knit and crochet together on alternate Thursdays at Hurst Cricket Club.
They also hatch plans for increasingly amazing displays in Hurst, with admirers travelling miles to see them.
Hookers member Amanda Carruthers said: “I suggested, just tongue in cheek, that our next project could be a two-metre egg. Before I knew it all these crochet squares were being made and I was madly counting them.”
David Howarth, a retired John Lewis carpet layer, leapt into action supporting his wife Heather and her fellow crafters.
“David got to work to design the egg’s framework, bend the metal frame into shape, weld it and then cover it in chicken wire,” said Heather.
“It was left swinging above his car in the garage, but it needed another home so we could do the rest of the work.”
Villager Chris James offered his outbuilding, making the entrance wider and putting doors on it. He also transported the egg on his truck.
Ten Hookers produced an amazing 260 ‘granny’ squares 7in by 7in to be sewn onto the framework. Proudly sitting on the top is the giant white rabbit made by Geraldine Eglington.
There is a QR code by the egg so visitors can donate to Bowel Cancer UK in memory of Tom Pearce, of Hurst, who had bowel cancer for ten years and died last year aged 49.
The Hookers suggested the charity – one of their members is his wife Catherine. Tom raised large sums for the cause running marathons, even when he was having treatment.
After Easter the squares will be unpicked from the frame and made into lap blankets for those who appreciate having their legs cosy. The group would love to hear from anyone who would make a good offer to buy the giant egg framework.
A new project, for Remembrance, involves a large horse, covered in purple poppies to mark the animals which have died in war. The Hookers will have a stall at Hurst Show and Country Fayre in June.
Hurst Hookers knitted King Charles into shape for his coronation, along with Queen Camilla, and 21 Grenadier guards. Other events marked include Christmas, Valentine’s Day and summer holidays.
Around 40 people go to meetings or follow the group. People with hands too arthritic for wool work are welcomed to advise and chat. The group can be contacted through Philippa Etheridge’s Facebook page.
The link for donating is https://www.justgiving.com/page/catherine-pearce-1710277572831
