Mystery stitchers’ creations are knit going unnoticed
ONE niche group that has been busy preparing for the Jubilee is people who knit and crochet post box toppers. They have their own community on Facebook and share the amazing woolly creations they make to brighten up letter boxes. In the north-east, there is one talented needle artist who decorates post boxes in Ballater, Aboyne, Torphins and Banchory. Their identity is a secret but people follow their Facebook page and appreciate their efforts. They have raised £2500 for charity this year alone. For the Jubilee, they have made a queen and crown, decorated with a real pearl necklace, for Banchory. In Torphins and Aboyne, crowns are guarded by knitted beefeaters, while in Ballater the Queen and a beefeater are back to back. In Elgin, another anonymous crafter has topped a post box with a splendid crocheted Minion. It’s King Bob, who was involved in a plot to steal the crown jewels. The secret crafter has been dubbed “Moray’s mystery crocheter”. Other talented needlewomen have been at work to decorate shop windows. Agneta Rankin made a magnificent crown and several figures for the window of Alford Post Office.
When she’s not busy with her wool work, Agneta works there part time.
Another shop that has gone for it in a big way is The Paper Girls in Aboyne. They have a giant cutout of the Queen striding out from the window, with Union flag bunting in the background.
A nearby farm, Craskins, has gone one better. They’ve decked out a trailer and positioned it by The Queen’s View, a favourite spot of Queen Victoria’s.
Using bits and pieces from the farm – mainly black bales of hay – they have created a royal carriage, pulled by two horses, guarded by beefeaters.
The Queen is smiling out from her chariot, flanked by two equally happy corgis.