A giggle and a yarn from crochet creations – Stuff.co.nz

ANDY MACDONALD / STUFF/Nelson Mail

Ailys Tewnion with her crochet creations, including Siouxsie Wiles, Michael Baker, Chris Hipkins and Jacinda Ardern

Nelsons Ailys Tewnion loves the sounds of laughter and chatter from strangers at her front fence.

Her latest crocheted creations of New Zealands Covid-19 response figures trigger just that, as people passing her Tosswill Rd home stop to admire her new Covid Choristers, which include Prime Minister Jacinda Adern, director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield, microbiologist Dr Siouxsie Wiles, and epidemiologist Dr Michael Baker, all singing from the same song sheet.

And then theres Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins in the group, standing there with his legs spread after his famous 2020 slip of the tongue.

Tewnions creations have attracted plenty of attention since she made her first bear during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown and put it on her front fence. It received such a positive response she made more dolls and figures to display at the front of her property.

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The feedback is incredible, really its amazing, Tewnion said.

People, appreciative of her joyful creations, have left notes and letters for her in her letterbox and even gifted boxes of chocolates.

On one day alone she was left five blocks of chocolate during the 2021 national lockdown when her mask-wearing crocheted bears on skateboards were displayed.

Some peoples notes during the first lockdown were quite heartfelt, she said.

They felt really nervous and worried about what would happen.

MARTIN DE RUYTER/STUFF

Tewnions Covid Choristers feature Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in front, followed by Dr Ashley Bloomfield and Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins with his legs spread, and Dr Siouxsie Wiles and Dr Michael Baker at the back.

Her latest display of the Covid Choristers and other Christmas characters were to be followed on New Year's Day with a group of hippos, wishing everyone a happy-potomus New Year.

Tewnion says its lovely to hear people chatting and laughing about her creations, and she always meets people when shes putting them out in the morning and taking them in at night, which triggers conversations.

ANDY MACDONALD / STUFF/Nelson Mail

With its legs out and striking a pose, who else could it be but Chris Hipkins, standing in front of epidemiologist Dr Michael Baker.

Its a nice feeling in times when people are a bit worried about things, and uncertain about things, its good to hear people having a giggle.

Tewnion has crocheted most of her life, but her real enjoyment of the craft came when she moved on from the likes of blankets and rugs and started making her characters during the pandemic.

Each larger character took about five hours to make, but Tewnion enjoyed the challenge. They also have wiring in them to shape them into positions.

MARTIN DE RUYTER/STUFF

Christmas and Kiwi summer-themed creations are also displayed at the front of Ailys Tewnion's Tosswill Rd home in Nelson.

Two of Tewnions original creations from the 2020 lockdown, depicting Jacinda Adern and Ashley Bloomfield at daily Covid-19 briefings, are now in the Nelson Provincial Museums permanent collection. Tewnion donated them to the museum after being approached by a curator, she said.

She said she had also been interviewed by New Zealand historian Jock Phillips for a book he was working on.

She never imagined that her crocheted creations would attract so much interest.

Who knew?

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A giggle and a yarn from crochet creations - Stuff.co.nz