Natty knitters go to great lengths to break record
WESTCOUNTRY knitters and their global counterparts have successfully sewn their way into the record books.
The Devon County Show’s line of multi-colourful knitted bunting has beaten the existing Guinness World Record by more than double, after being officially measured this week.
Deborah Custance Baker, who came up with the idea and lodged the attempt with Guinness World Records, revealed that a grand total of 79,001 flags had been crafted by thousands of contributors from across the world.
A continuous line of bunting was laid out, with each knitted pennant positioned at no more than two inches apart, across the 4,590 square metre floor space of Westpoint Arena in Exeter.
The measuring was performed by chartered surveyor and official measurer, Will Morrison from Strutt & Parker in Exeter, with a measuring wheel and a total of 14,279km in length was recorded.
This was verified and witnessed by thee adjudicators – Lord Devon, Councillor Phil Twiss and television presenter and crafter Kirstie Allsopp.
Mrs Custance Baker, who is chief steward for crafts and gardens at the Devon County Show, said: “The crafts and garden marquee is one of the most popular sections at Devon County Show and all of our stewards and visitors are really hands-on.
“Every challenge we’ve set them so far they’ve not only succeeded in achieving, but have blown our expectations out of the water. The bunting is no exception. We cannot believe people’s dedication and commitment to the task. We thought we might just beat the existing record but doubling it is a truly astonishing feat.”
The knitted bunting record was previously held by Upton House, comprising of 31,119 flags and 7.5kms in length.
She added: “We do know that this is partly to do with lockdown. Many of our contributors have commented on how knitting has really helped them through this difficult period of self-isolation by giving them a sense of purpose.
“Several who had committed to making just a few flags, suddenly found they had both the time and inclination to double, even triple their original pledges.”
Witness to the world
record,
Kirstie Allsopp, although known for her crafting capabilities has never mastered the art of knitting. She said: “This staggering amount of bunting is just incredible and has really given me an incentive to give knitting one more try!”
Originally the bunting was due to be suspended inside the crafts and gardens marquee at Devon County Show. As the 2020 show had to be cancelled, the bunting will remain at Westpoint Arena until September.
Local people will be invited to see the record-breaking bunting in its full glory on designated evenings throughout the summer.
They will be offered the opportunity to purchase sections of the bunting to help raise funds for the Addington Fund, which is the Devon County Show’s chosen charity of the year.