Could YOU make this? Five jawdropping crafts from around the UK

14 March 2016

For some of us it's a hobby; a chance to get some 'me time' or a way to escape our busy lives. For others it's our very livelihood. But whatever our reasons there's no denying it: Britain is a nation of crafters. Making is in our make up and a brand new BBC Four television programme hopes to showcase this extraordinary side of our country.

To whet your appetite we've teamed up with the programme to bring you these five unique and inspiring works of art by extraordinary makers from around the country. And the programme, working title Britain on the Make, wants to hear from you (more details below).

Kate says: "I made ‘counterknit’ after a conversation with a friend about how difficult it was to make money from art. It is a tongue in cheek response to how I make my money by physically having to make it. I chose the £10 note purely because I happened to have that note in my purse at the time. Although it is a humourous piece it also addresses the fact that people often take art purely at face value and don’t appreciate the time, energy and true cost involved in making something unique."

Why did you make this piece?

Lauren O'Farrell

Dial M for Monster (also known as Muncher) was created for the BT Artbox Project in 2012 to raise awareness and funds for the 25th anniversary of the NSPCC's Childline. Muncher is essentially a phonebox monster who roams the streets on London masquerading as a telephone box in order to eat people. He never eats children as he finds they pay more attention and are thus much harder to catch. Pickings have been slim since mobile phones so he has been known to snack on passing pigeons.

How did you feel making it?

This piece took months of work to design and make as he is partly handknit, partly made on manual knitting machines in acrylic yarn and then sewn together by hand. I always find it magical and slightly surreal to have a character I first see in my mind come to life in my hands. As a writer originally, it is a form of stitched storytelling for me.

What does this piece mean to you?

Muncher survived two months in all weathers on the Trafalgar Square roundabout during a warm but rainy summer in London. The city took him to their heart (often sending me updates and photos on social media) and he fared surprisingly well for a giant handmade monster on the streets of one of the world's busiest cities. The fact I was able to show that yarn can make art as well as socks and jumpers, for such a great cause and in such an odd and unique way made this a project I am proud of. The piece was sold to raise money for the charity once his work was done, which makes him much less of a monster than he appeared.

Claire Lindley: Autumn Afternoon was inspired, in a roundabout way, by where I live as I'm surrounded by hills and fields, wildlife and farm animals, I often see hares in fields full of sheep. I daren't count the hours exactly but approx 40, I'm a slow worker. There are anywhere from 3 to 6 layers over the whole picture.