Yarn-bomb bursts apple tree back to life!

A 12 foot community yarn-bomb has exploded in the orchard at Killerton National Trust estate near Exeter.

The culprits are an army of 50 knitters and pom-pom bombers from across Devon and as far flung as Oregon in the United States.

Their combined efforts have burst Killerton’s retired apple tree back to life by entirely covering it in 400 individually knitted leaves, 50 apple-pompoms and hand-knitted woolly wildlife including game birds, squirrels, hedgehogs, frogs and a swarm of Killerton bees.

The yarn-bomb will be on proud display throughout the Killerton Cider and Apple Festival this Saturday and Sunday (18-19 October), to mark National Apple Day.

Festival organiser, Helen Trebble said: “Our yarn-bomb really triggered the imagination of National Trust visitors, volunteers, local brownies, schools and craft groups.

"We’re amazed knitters in The States have cottoned on and shipped donations over."

Exeter yarn-bomber, Lisa Tricoteuse jumped at the chance to join Killerton’s ninja knitter army. Her yarn-bombs have been found all over the country.

Lisa said: “A good yarn-bomb will trigger interaction with the community and a smile from the public. Devon’s knitters have united and really got behind Killerton’s yarnbomb. I’m looking forward to seeing the smiles on festival goer’s faces at the event this weekend.”

For full details about the Killerton cider and apple festival, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killertonapples