IT’S NEEDLES at the ready for a campaign to knit a float for Weymouth carnival.

The community knitting and crochet project is called Blooming Marvellous and organisers are hoping hundreds of people across Dorset will get involved.

The project is part of the Narrowing the Gap campaign, which aims to increase the number of people getting involved in community activities in areas like Westham, Littlemoor, the Park District and Portland.

People from all walks of life are being encouraged to pick up knitting and crochet needles from those using community and day centres and mental health groups to youth organisations like brownies, guides, cubs and scouts.

The idea is that people will learn a new skill and make new friends along the way.

Knitters are creating items including cauliflowers, seagulls, deckchairs and even a copy of Weymouth’s Jubilee Clock.

The project will run until May when a huge display of all the items will be created in a 3D growing garden at Bournemouth Central Library for four weeks.

After the display the items will be moved around various locations in Weymouth and Portland and will form a carnival float in this year’s parade.

Community development worker at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and knitting organiser Julie Hursthouse said: “It’s going to be a huge project. We have got all sorts of people involved.

“A group that works with adults with learning disabilities is creating a copy of the Weymouth Jubilee Clock and we have people knitting squirrels and seagulls.

“For the float we are hoping to make three scenes. There will be a beach scene with ice creams and seagulls and seaweed, then there will be a Jurassic Coast section with fossils and flowers.

“The final scene will be a garden, complete with barbecue and a deck chair made of recycled carrier bags.

“You name it and we’re doing it.”

She added: “The idea of the project is to get people interested in knitting and get them together and meeting new people and making friends.”

Mrs Hursthouse said that she had received offers of help from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand and Austria.

The project will also use recycled materials like carrier bags and parachute material to make background structures.

The group is looking for wool and old clothes to help them create their vision of Dorset. Anyone wanting to get involved in the project or donate wool should call Julie Hursthouse on 01305 838497.

For more information check out the Blooming Marvellous blog at bloomingmarvellous1.blogspot.com