The Woollen Woods is a fun way to bring craft and nature together, engaging communities with their local area, both as participants and visitors as they invite people to get creative with nature and spin a yarn about their local woodland as part of Voluntary Arts Festival. Voluntary Arts Festival (this year’s dates: 6-15 May 2016) is an annual celebration of creativity during which arts and crafts groups from every corner of British Isles showcase what they do and invite newcomers to join them.

This month, as part of our #loveto campaign, we are looking to help populate the lovely Woollen Woods for Voluntary Arts Festival 2016 with various knitted or crocheted creations! There are two ways you can get involved:

1. Knit or crochet a woodland inspired creation of your choice (animal, insect, flower or leaf). Its size and colour is up to you. Take a picture of your make and post it on Facebook or Twitter using #lovetoKNIT and #WoollenWoods. Choose which woodland you would like to send it too (list of Woollen Woods with addresses here) and pop it in the post for them to be part of the final display in May 2016.
2. Share your knitting patterns! If you have a pattern for an owl, caterpillar, a simple flower or anything else woodland-themed – share it! Send it to us, put it on your website, take a picture and post on social media. Don’t forget to use #lovetoKNIT and #WoollenWoods so that others can easily find it.

To get yourself inspired, visit the Woollen Woods Pinterest Board for ideas, patterns and woollen creations from 2015 and connect with the Woollen Woods Facebook page for updates on Woollen Woods 2016! See more about the great ideas you can use as inspiration for #lovetoKNIT in our guide here.

Powered by Voluntary Arts, the #loveto campaign gives people a place to swap ideas and experiences, share in a nationwide project and celebrate ideas and successes throughout the year, focusing on different creative activities each month.

Using #lovetoKNIT across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram showcase your creativity through photos, videos, blogs, quotes and links, and check out what everyone else is up to!