102 Mayflower hats for modern day seafarers in need

102 Mayflower hats for modern day seafarers in need

21 January 2021

102 international seafarers are set to benefit from some handmade woolly hats produced by local ladies during lockdown.

102 international seafarers are set to benefit from some handmade woolly hats produced by local ladies during lockdown.

The hats were created as part of a special Mayflower-themed ‘Knitting Challenge’ that The Box set its’ Women’s Craft Collective in 2020. The initiative saw the group take inspiration from the stories of the 102 passengers aboard the Mayflower and then knit a hat to represent each of them.

The Box posted parcels of wool, patterns and stories to the group who kept each other up to date with their progress through social media and telephone calls. The challenge provided them with a fun activity to get involved with during last year’s lockdowns, as well as a way to stay connected while they’ve been unable to meet face-to-face.

The colour coded hats were displayed at The Box throughout December and represent the different groupings and families that made up the passengers on the Mayflower. There were 28 different groups of families, friends and workmates and each group was given its own colour. The selected colours are common to the clothing of the early 1600s which, although not quite as bright as modern dyes, included colourful russets, pinks and oranges.

Hat display in The Box during December 2020

Now the display has finished, the hats have been presented to seafarer charity, Stella Maris.

Established in 1920, and originally named the Apostleship of the Sea, Stella Maris is the largest ship-visiting network in the world. It works to improve the lives of seafarers and fishers through a network of local chaplains and seafarer centres that provide information, advocacy and spiritual support.

Ann Donnelly, Plymouth’s Regional Port Chaplain said:

The seafarers, like the passengers on board the Mayflower, are often at the mercy of the sea, sailing away from their loved ones in the hope that they can provide them with a more stable future. They’ll wear the hats with pride and are really grateful to the Women’s Craft Collective for taking the time to knit them.

Hat presentation to Stella Maris at The Box

The Craft Collective currently has over 40 members and reaches women from across the city and beyond, all of whom benefit from the creativity and companionship that the group provides.

Chloe Hughes, Engagement Programmes Manager at The Box said:

Everyone really enjoyed knitting the hats and the group has produced hundreds of items for a range of charities over the last few years. This particular challenge has given them a chance to explore the stories of the Mayflower passengers who were confined to their ship just as we’ve been confined to our homes at times. It’s also given them a purpose and a reason to stay in touch with each other at a difficult time.

Although face-to-face meetings are currently on hold, you can email us to find out more about joining the Women’s Craft Collective.