Ready Steady Knit: the innocent Big Knit is back

The much-loved innocent Big Knit campaign is back for another yarn-spinning year, and Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, in partnership with innocent drinks is calling on all knitters and crocheters in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin to join the fun and help make a big difference to the lives of older people, while being part of this infamous campaign.

Since 2003, Age UK and innocent have teamed up to inspire the nation's crafters to knit little hats for innocent smoothie bottles. The campaign has raised an incredible £3.2 million for Age UK since it began. For every behatted smoothie sold, Age UK receives 30p, helping to provide crucial support to older people both nationally and locally. The 2024-25 campaign aims to knit 1.4 million little hats, with the smoothies hitting shelves in October 2025.

So why not grab your knitting needles, start stitching, and make a real difference? The funds raised will help Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin to continue to provide local older people with vital information, advice, and friendship. It will also support services such as befriending, wellbeing clubs and classes, day centres, all of which could help local older people feel less lonely and isolated.

This Big Knit campaign ensures that Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, can be there for people like June. June, 84, regularly attends one of our local day centres and told us how much she has been helped by her weekly visits. ‘It’s so lively and friendly here. It’s given me more confidence and I find I’m looking forward to coming each week, the food is excellent, and I love a meal out. Everyone who runs the day centre is so friendly and its exactly what I needed.’ These little hats truly make a big difference.

Heather Osborne, Chief Executive of Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin said: ‘We’re calling on the people of Shropshire and Telford to dust off their knitting needles and help us make this the best year yet of our partnership with Innocent. Let’s cast on and knit up a storm to hit our target of 4,000 hats.’

Charlotte Wright, Brand Manager at innocent drinks UK, said: ‘The Big Knit is an amazing campaign that gets people throughout the country knitting, crocheting and buying little hats on smoothies for a cause that truly matters. We are so excited that the Big Knit is back, and we will be continuing our long-standing partnership with Age UK to help support older people as much

Let’s get those needles clicking and create a real yarn to remember! Crafters have until 1st July 2025 to send in their hats, so there's plenty of time to get involved.

There are exciting hat designs, including a cheeky monkey, fox cub, sheepish sheep and a unicorn, available to download now, but feel free to come up with designs of your own as we love seeing your creations!

To find out more visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/bigknit or www.thebigknit.co.uk/knittingpatterns

For more information on The Big Knit contact Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin on 01743 233 123 or email fundraising@ageukstw.org.uk. Please send your completed hats to: Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, Bellstone, Shrewsbury SY1 1HX.