Yarn with a purpose: Swan yarnbomb raises awareness of WAY

August 2024

A group of WAY members have been ruffling some feathers in the picturesque village of Ambleside in the Lake District – by creating a life-sized woollen swan that now perches proudly atop a postbox outside the tourist information office.

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This eye-catching yarnbomb idea was hatched by some creative members of WAY Widowed and Young, who have been gathering in the Lake District each summer for the past six years – blending their passion for crafts, getting out into the great outdoors and making new connections with other people who have been widowed at a young age too.

“It’s a really chilled weekend of crafting and going for walks,” explained Jodie, who belongs to the crafting subgroup for WAY members without children. 

“Because it’s such a chilled weekend you get the chance to make real connections with fellow widows,” she said. “We share breakfast, lunch and dinner together for three days. Last year we all hiked and jumped into a freezing cold plunge pool together.”

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The idea for the swan yarnbomb took flight on Jodie’s way back from Spain, just a few days before the group headed to the Lakes.

“I had just two and a half days to create a swan head, wings and postbox base – along with a body out of chicken wire for everyone to attach their pompoms to,” she explained. “I arrived in the Lakes with scratches all over my arms from the chicken wire and repetitive strain injury from all the crocheting!” 

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As well as turning heads and spreading a little happiness, the hand-made swan –inspired by WAY’s logo – is helping to raise awareness about the work of WAY, which has been bringing together widowed people for support and connection since 1997. Anyone who approaches the swan will be able to read a small card explaining more about WAY’s peer support network, including a QR code linking directly to the WAY website.

Visitors to WAY’s website will learn that the charity’s founder, Caroline Sarll, chose a swan as the logo for its powerful symbolism. Swans are calm on the surface but paddling furiously below to stay afloat – a reflection of how it can feel to grieve the loss of a loved one. 

Tourists are already flocking to the swan-shaped yarnbomb, keen to capture photos of the latest in a series of feathered friends that have taken flight during WAY’s Summer of Swans. 

“This has been the yarnbomb that I’m most proud of so far,” said Jodie (pictured below, far left), who has previous yarnbombing form in the northwest of England. 

“I do them because I like the feeling of spreading joy!” she said.

And it seems this crafty crew isn’t done yet. With another project in the works for Christmas, you might just spot something equally creative and heartwarming popping up on a postbox near you soon!