Nottinghamshire crafters create hundreds of children’s story snugglers
Crafters across Nottinghamshire have come together to create almost 300 knitted and crocheted story snugglers as part of Inspire's latest charity knitting challenge.
The annual challenge, which has been run by the arts and culture team at Inspire libraries since 2016, encourages crafters to pick up their knitting needles and crochet hooks for a good cause.
Created by Nottinghamshire Council in 2016, Inspire was established to bring together libraries, adult and community learning, music, culture, heritage, and arts under one innovative organisation.
Ten years on, it has grown into a nationally recognised service, delivering thousands of events, courses and activities each year and supporting residents of all ages to read, learn, create and connect.
For this year’s challenge, crafters were invited to create and donate story snugglers – handmade knitted and crocheted capes designed to keep children warm and cosy during bedtime reading.
Inspired by the 2026 National Year of Reading, the imaginative animal designs were created by Nottinghamshire knitwear designer Jane Withers, who has developed patterns for challenge for the last three years.
Made from just six simple knitted or crocheted squares, each story snuggler is a woolly companion, which will help little ones snuggle up with a good book during story time.
Jane also created step-by-step video tutorials to help crafters join in, which are still available to access and view on the Inspire website at inspireculture.org.uk/knit
Inspire partnered with Mansfield Building Society, Creative Lives and Trussell to deliver this year’s challenge.
Following the exhibition, all the donated story snugglers will be distributed through Trussell, helping families and children in need across the region via food banks and community outreach.
It is hoped that each handmade gift will provide not only warmth and comfort to young children, but also inspire a lifelong love of books and reading.
Peter Gaw, chief executive at Inspire, commented: "We always go big with our challenges and since 2026 also marks the National Year of Reading, there was no better time to go all in on a literary themed challenge to support young children.
"A huge thank you to our partners and everyone that got involved to either knit or crochet a snuggler this year, our exhibition is a bright and colourful showcase of woolly creativity and community spirit.”