Crafters across Nottinghamshire have come together to create thousands of knitted and crocheted care squares, and hundreds of blankets, as part of Inspire’s 2024 Charity Knitting Challenge.

All 226 colourful blanket designs are on display at Mansfield Library until 24th September.

The annual challenge, which has run at Inspire libraries since 2016, encourages crafters to pick up their knitting needles and crochet hooks for a good cause.

This year crafters were asked to make and donate care squares – knitted or crocheted squares – that could be transformed into warm, comforting blankets for people in care and hospital settings. Inspire partnered with Your Health Notts, Newark and Sherwood District Council, Dementia Action Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire and Creative Lives to support this year’s initiative. The blankets will be given to settings and groups that work with people living with dementia and other memory conditions this autumn.

A ‘blanket-a-thon’ to inspire people to make a square or stitch together a blanket and enjoy getting collaboratively creative with wool for a good cause was held at libraries.

The campaign also involved Nottinghamshire knitwear designer Jane Withers, who designed a striking blanket pattern to inspire crafters – many of whom have added their own decorative edges and beautiful embellishments, which are showcased at the exhibition. Jane also created step-by-step video tutorials, which are still available to access and view on the Inspire website,  inspireculture.org.uk/knit

In addition to the completed blankets, Inspire has also received more than 2,000 loose knitted and crocheted squares. Many of the loose squares have been grouped into ‘stitch up’ bundles, which library visitors can take home and sew into finished blankets. Any extra blankets the library receives will join the display and then be donated at the end of the exhibition.

Peter Gaw, chief executive at Inspire, said: “What an amazing response to our knitting challenge this year! We believe these blankets will offer comfort and warmth, while also engaging the senses through touch and sight for people that need them.

“We work alongside some amazing charities and groups who go above and beyond to support each challenge. A huge thankyou to our partners and everyone that got involved, our exhibition is a vibrant showcase of woolly creativity and community spirit.”