Silent knit! Secret society of crafters decorate postboxes with woolly hats

  • A total of 29 of the colourful knitted creations have popped up in Hertfordshire
  • Secret /society of Hertford Crafters are making them to raise money for charity
  • Knitters estimate 50 hours of work into each piece and 250 balls of wool overall

By Andrew Levy For The Daily Mail

Published: | Updated:

It's the time of year when amusing woolly hats make an appearance – and the pillar boxes in one town are no exception.

All sorts of festive scenes have appeared on the boxes, from snowmen sliding down a slope to Santa hanging out with his elves.

Elsewhere reindeer are seen riding on top of three polar bears and Postman Pat poses with Jess the Cat and his van.

Baa humbug? No! Shepherds watch their flock in one wooly hat on a post box in Hertford

Baa humbug? No! Shepherds watch their flock in one wooly hat on a post box in Hertford

The birdie throng: Robin and feathered pals in another postbox yarn-bombed by the Secret Society of Hertford Crafters

The birdie throng: Robin and feathered pals in another postbox yarn-bombed by the Secret Society of Hertford Crafters

A total of 29 of the knitted creations have popped up – 27 in Hertford and the rest in Watton-at-Stone and Great Amwell, both also in Hertfordshire. 

They are the handiwork of a group of yarn bombers calling themselves the Secret Society of Hertford Crafters, who are using them to raise money for charity… and brighten people’s days.

Leading member Jo Baily, a market researcher when she’s not crocheting, said: ‘The idea is to make people smile and it’s absolutely worked. Driving around Hertford you see crowds of people standing at postboxes smiling and looking at these things. Raising money is also brilliant.’

Laminated cards urge passers-by to donate money to Isabel Hospice, which provides free end-of-life care to patients and their families in Hertfordshire. So far they have raised more than £1,200.

One of the ‘hats’ depicts sunflowers, the charity’s symbol, decorating a Christmas tree.
One of the ‘hats’ depicts sunflowers, the charity’s symbol, decorating a Christmas tree.

One of the ‘hats’ depicts sunflowers, the charity’s symbol, decorating a Christmas tree

All sorts of festive scenes have appeared on the boxes, from snowmen sliding down a slope to Santa hanging out with his elves

All sorts of festive scenes have appeared on the boxes, from snowmen sliding down a slope to Santa hanging out with his elves

One of the ‘hats’ depicts sunflowers, the charity’s symbol, decorating a Christmas tree.

The 100-strong knitting group produced a spectacular cascade of knitted poppies at Hertford Castle last month, raising £14,000 for the Royal British Legion.

Around a dozen members started on the Christmas pieces back in February, with others joining in as the festive season approached to make sure they were ready in time. 

The knitters estimate around 50 hours of work went into each piece, with 250 balls of wool used overall.

Gingermen on top of a postbox. The knitters estimate around 50 hours of work went into each piece, with 250 balls of wool used overall
Gingermen on top of a postbox. The knitters estimate around 50 hours of work went into each piece, with 250 balls of wool used overall

Gingermen on top of a postbox. The knitters estimate around 50 hours of work went into each piece, with 250 balls of wool used overall

Most watched News videos

Comments 48

Share what you think

  View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

  View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.