15/08/2026
Introducing Heather - the artist behind the show-stopping Crochet Fort at the centre of our current exhibition, The Magic Show.
We’re excited to welcome Heather and the talented Leigh back to the Mills from Pyramid for a felting workshop during the Magical Weekender this September.
Come along on Sunday 27th (final weekend of the exhibition) to learn how to create your own felt creature inspired by Heather’s Little Guy Garden - also featured as a mini trail throughout The Magic Show.
More about the Crochet Fort:
Heather approached the theme of ‘Magic’ through the lens of childhood nostalgia, particularly the time spent building blanket forts or dens. For her and many other autistic children, they were safe spaces she could retreat to when the world was too much.
“Growing up I used to hide in little nooks and crannies, or behind furniture, to hide from the overstimulating noise, sneak away from the family gatherings, find somewhere safe and secluded to cry without people noticing, hang out with my teddies or to just chill and have some alone time. I was surprised that my mum still remembers all the teddys that were crammed inside, all the spare cardboard boxes that were used to make little tunnels, every giant pile of pillows and blankets, and most importantly, all the forts we used to create together.”
The blanket fort itself, made of 275 crochet granny squares, is the combined efforts of many makers (see list below).
“The blanket fort’s size and timescale seemed nearly impossible – without all the help from the many artists who contributed to this project, I don’t think the fort would have been completed. This Magic project started off as “the magic of rose-tinted childhood nostalgia” but by the end shifted into “the magic of community coming together to create on massive blanket to achieve a ridiculous goal”.
Many of the squares arrived with letters, which can be found inside the fort as a token of appreciation to those involved. Heather and Pyramid want to say a huge thanks to everyone who sent in crochet squares for this project. In total, the piece features 345 squares across the fort, inside blankets and pillows. Special thanks to Andy Guy for his support in joining over 200 squares together.
Contributors: Lorna Johnstone (mendingmagic), Leigh Bowser (Leighlalovesyou), Kim Bowser, Rachael Bowser, Andy Guy, Sue Clayden, Carole Fox, Emma-Jane Siddall, Elizabeth Johnson, Jacquie Bowes (Durkar Diamonds WI), Dotty P, Kerrie, Christine Spencer, Rebecca Lehman, Henna Ravjibhai, Jan Ackroyd, Gemini-H, Jo Prinz, Knit and Glow Group at Compton Library, Gemma (HappyGoHooky), Pat Hartley, Sam Simister, Hannah Simister, Bil (Owl & Craft), Katie Ogden, Alayne Cowling, Joanne Cowling, Kerensa Liddle, Laura Downing Green, XandraViv, Neve, Charlotte Hallas (EcoHub), Louise Taylor (EcoHub), Brooklyn (Brklyn.stitches), Amal Abdulahi (LoveFromAmal), Mar, Jennie & John Hall, Donna Turner, Joanne Michael (HappyAsABean), Sikh Elders Service (Volunteers and clients, Manjit & Neelam), Cassy’s Mum, Julia Crouch.
See this work in the Gallery until 27th September and book your tickets to Heather’s workshop here! > https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1996638932796
Support Pyramid’s fundraiser to keep Heather crocheting here > https://pyramid.org.uk/protect-pyramids-future/
