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Rakowska, Yew Coffee; Matt McEvoy, McEvoy's; Donna Kirk, Crafts by D Kirk; Tosia
Wyrzycka, Yew Coffee; Paula Fitzpatrick, McEvoys and Giną McCartney,
Yew Coffee. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie
An initiative to teach people the art of crochet has culminated in the stitching of dozens of 'granny squares' together to make a beautiful one-off Christmas tree.
Each colourful square is the result of hours of dedication, care and attention by its creator.
Crafts by D Kirk organised The Crochet Christmas Project which saw local women and children get-together with the aim of supporting and empowering women in the community. Funds raised from the project will be donated to Women's Aid Armagh Down.
Children from St Moninna's, Cloghogue; St Joseph's, Bessbrook; St Mary's High School, Sacred Heart Grammar School and St Malachy's Camlough took part, with organiser Donna Kirk travelling to the schools to teach the pupils crochet. Local women also took part, meeting on evenings at Yew Coffee on the Warrenpoint Road in Newry for tuition from Donna.
left: Daisy Kirby, Anna Rakowska, Ann Castelli, Donna Kirk, Siobhan Toner, Paula
Fitzpatrick and Mary McIlroy.
It was a real community effort with the schools and women taking part, McEvoys, Monaghan Street, Newry sponsoring the wool and Yew Coffee providing the space to create the crocheted squares.
Donna Kirk said "I went to the after school clubs in the schools and taught them 3 to 4pm and that's how they learned to make the squares. Myself and a group of ladies especially Paula Fitzpatrick and Daisy Kirby then stitched it all together."
You can see the tree for yourself in McEvoy's for the next few days and then it will be moving to the Women's Refuge. Donna added "It's going to stay here for a week for people get to see, and then it's going to go to the Women's Aid Women's Refuge. It's a symbol of hope and reconciliation. I want to thank McEvoy's Embroidery, Matt McEvoy, Yew Coffee, the schools and all the women over the general area for coming together."
Check out Crafts by D Kirk on Instagram.
