A KNITTING group has spent a staggering two years creating different creepy crawlies, slimy sea creatures and cuddly cats for a week of fundraising.

Using the biblical theme, All God’s Creatures Great And Small, Kirkbymoorside Wool Crafters have created the display which will fill All Saints’ Church in Kirkbymoorside, from October 18 to October 27.

In 2017 the group held a similar exhibition in the church with the theme, A Walk Through The Seasons.

It featured knitted and crocheted displays of the flora and fauna of spring, summer, autumn and winter, and raised £1,700 for church funds through public donations.

Carol Massham, one of the creative brains behind the project, said: “Since we felt fed up with knitting leaves, we decided to create this year’s theme featuring every animal you can possibly imagine with a kindly-donated Noah’s Arc and a tree made from the inner roll of a carpet.

“Knitting so many creatures seemed daunting since the church is a massive space compared to my garden room, but we all embraced the challenge.”

The wool crafters formed four years ago with more and more people joining the group. Learning different styles from traditional knitting to fiddly felting, members have embraced every challenge while working towards their target.

Kathy Robson, one of the many contributors, said: “The wool crafters is more than a group of ladies knitting in a corner, we have all become dear friends.

“Mental health and loneliness are a massive problem, so having a creative outlet such as knitting, crocheting and felting can preoccupy the mind and make everyone socialise together.

“We’re all excited for the opening preview and looking at all our hard work over the past two years.

“We want to say a massive thank you to Laura Moxon, the owner of Edgemoor and Eastgate Vetinary Practice in Pickering, for giving up her time to present the opening evening.”

Some of the knitted animals will be auctioned off during the exhibition, with the rest either kept for next time or sold at the Kirkbymoorside Christmas Market.

All the money from selling the toys will go towards funding the next display.

When asked about the next project, Carol said: “The next project will hopefully be A Journey Into The Imagination, so knitted fictional characters from Harry Potter to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

“Although we all desire a break after so much knitting, I might even knit a cardigan for my next project.”

All God’s Creatures Great And Small is open from October 18 to October 27, with an opening evening presented by Laura Moxon from 6.30pm onwards.

The display is open daily from 10am to 4pm with a suggested £5 donation for All Saints’ Church in Kirkbymoorside.