Needles at the ready - Cardigan’s Aberteifi cardigan is ready to cast on!

The idea for a giant cardigan work of art is the brainchild of community artist Lisa Hellier who first brought the idea to the town’s 2010 committee early last year.

Now thanks to the Heritage Lottery funding, the idea can become reality.

The plan is for a giant cardigan to be knitted in pieces by all the community.

The cardigan will include a townscape made up of knitted houses and collage, a riverscape with the Teifi and a landscape reflecting the importance of agriculture.

Inside the cardigan - which will be big enough to walk into - will be a catalogue of the town’s social history and its people - ranging from icons such as the great Lord Rhys to self portraits of children today.

“It is such a huge project that the scope is enormous,” said Lisa.

“It will be more than a cardigan, it will be a work of art.

“Even though I will be co-ordinating the project, the cardigan will be created by the community - every stitch will be done by local people.”

The plan is to get local schools and playgroups involved plus local groups and organisations.

“What would be perfect is for every generation to take part - from the youngest to the oldest,” said Lisa.

Lisa plans to contact local schools and playgroups to set up workshops and also hopes that as many local organisations as possible will take part.

If your organisation is interested in getting involved you can either send your details to the Tivy-Side or contact Lisa direct on 01239 891333 or email lisa@arthousegraphics.co.uk.

Lisa will also be holding drop-in workshops during the 2010 photographic exhibition in the Guildhall gallery later next month and will also be present at the scanning day on February 27.

• Do you have any spare wool you can donate to the project? Lisa is looking for pure wool or woollen mixtures, ideally balls of wool but old woollen jumpers will do as well. They can be brought into the Tivy-Side offices at 39 St Mary Street, Cardigan.

• Do you have any ideas for the design of the Cardigan? Simply sketch them on a sheet of A4 paper and they will be exhibited during the workshops.

Designs can be sent to the Tivy-Side offices - remember to put your name and address on them.