Sneaky Gosport mother and daughter duo cover lamp posts with yarn creations to cheer up schoolchildren

MYSTERIOUS woolly creatures hanging onto lamp posts have been spotted by children making their way to a Gosport school.
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As young pupils at St John’s CE Primary School began returning to classrooms last week, they noticed the nearby area had become overrun by yarn creations put up by an unknown maker.

These colourful animals and designs are the crafty work of sneaky ‘yarn bombing’ mother and daughter duo Holly and Elsie Mitchell, who wanted to brighten the days of children and parents walking to the school.

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The idea was inspired by a family holiday to Wales, when Holly saw giant crochet designs which appeared on lampposts and she wanted to make her own miniature versions using her self-taught lockdown crochet skills.

Mum and daughter duo Holly and Elsie Mitchell, four, have been putting out 'yarn bomb' creations to cheer up children heading to St John's CE Primary School in Gosport. Pictured: A selection of the yarn creaturesMum and daughter duo Holly and Elsie Mitchell, four, have been putting out 'yarn bomb' creations to cheer up children heading to St John's CE Primary School in Gosport. Pictured: A selection of the yarn creatures
Mum and daughter duo Holly and Elsie Mitchell, four, have been putting out 'yarn bomb' creations to cheer up children heading to St John's CE Primary School in Gosport. Pictured: A selection of the yarn creatures

Four-year-old Elsie was returning to reception class at school, so it seemed like the perfect time to bring some cheer to the area.

Yarn bomber Holly, 31, said: ‘I wanted to do them around the local area so I could keep an eye on them. You feel so naughty doing it, like you’re doing graffiti - when Elsie is not with me I feel like someone will spot me.’

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The sneaky pair tried to dot their creations on all the paths into the school, as children are coming in through different entrances to keep them separate, and Holly is so grateful for how supportive St John’s has been to parents.

Elsie with her favourite unicorn creationElsie with her favourite unicorn creation
Elsie with her favourite unicorn creation
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Holly, who works for the county council as a portage home visitor, said: ‘They have just been amazing. From the second the school broke up for this whole period, they have literally been there for parents so much.

‘I just wanted to give something back when the little ones were going back - they have just gone above and beyond. The staff must have been quaking in their boots but not once did they show it.’

Keen crafter Holly, who has also created a blanket and some love hearts for Elsie and her grandma to have matching, now wants others to get involved.

She said: ‘It’s great fun and I get such a kick out of it. I would really love it if someone else did one and I walked along and spotted it.’

Mum and daughter duo Holly and Elsie Mitchell, four, have been putting out 'yarn bomb' creations to cheer up children heading to St John's CE Primary School in Gosport. Pictured: Elsie and HollyMum and daughter duo Holly and Elsie Mitchell, four, have been putting out 'yarn bomb' creations to cheer up children heading to St John's CE Primary School in Gosport. Pictured: Elsie and Holly
Mum and daughter duo Holly and Elsie Mitchell, four, have been putting out 'yarn bomb' creations to cheer up children heading to St John's CE Primary School in Gosport. Pictured: Elsie and Holly

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Mum and daughter duo Holly and Elsie Mitchell, four, have been putting out 'yarn bomb' creations to cheer up children heading to St John's CE Primary School in Gosport. Pictured: A selection of rainbow creationsMum and daughter duo Holly and Elsie Mitchell, four, have been putting out 'yarn bomb' creations to cheer up children heading to St John's CE Primary School in Gosport. Pictured: A selection of rainbow creations
Mum and daughter duo Holly and Elsie Mitchell, four, have been putting out 'yarn bomb' creations to cheer up children heading to St John's CE Primary School in Gosport. Pictured: A selection of rainbow creations

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