Festival's call for crafters to help create knitted rainbow at Batley Train Station

Project organisers at the Woven festival, which is funded by Kirklees Council, are working in partnership with the Friends of Batley Station to complete the yarn bomb as part of this year’s festival.

Volunteers are being recruited to knit squares in rainbow colours which will feature in the “Batley T’Rainbow” installation at the front of the station.

This year’s Woven festival will take place from June 5-27 and will launch with the unveiling of a spectacular, woollen, rainbow coloured yarn bomb of Huddersfield Train Station on the opening weekend.

It is hoped the “Batley T’Rainbow” project will be installed on June 11, which is International Yarn Bombing Day, and it will be unveiled to the public on Saturday, June 12, which is also Worldwide Knitting in Public Day.

Nat Walton, Woven festival curator, said: “As part of this year’s festival we are delighted to be working in partnership with The Friends of Batley Station to yarn bomb the building with bright, rainbow colours for all to enjoy.

“This is the perfect opportunity for the people of Batley and surrounding areas to come together, knit and contribute to something totally unique.”

Gwen Lowe, chairwoman of the Friends of Batley Station, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with the organisers of Woven in Kirklees and knitwear designer, Sandra Nesbitt, to bring the Big Rainbow Knit to Batley this summer.

“We hope that individuals and local knitting groups will get on board with the project by knitting lots of brightly coloured squares to feature in the yarn bomb.

“We’re all looking forward to contributing to this amazing event and look forward to seeing the installation in situ during the festival.”

A dedicated Facebook page entitled “Batley T’Rainbow Knitting Group” has been set up for anyone wishing to take part.

Instructions and patterns for knitters who would like to get involved are also available on the festival’s website – www.woveninkirklees.co.uk.