The Crochet Coral Reef: Protect Our Oceans
Katie Gadd, Creating Crafts and Blooms CIC
"I first learned to crochet in 2020 after breaking my ankle just before lockdown. One of my first projects was a granny square blanket for my mother-in-law and seeing her use it on Zoom inspired me to start a community project.
I invited local people on Facebook to make granny squares, and I stitched them into blankets to gift. The response was incredible. One woman even reached out for help, and after meeting in a café, she not only learned to crochet but helped start a weekly group in her village.
Since then, we've grown into a network of community crochet groups in Alton and Emsworth – all working together to create handmade blankets for those in need.
The Crochet Coral Reef project began when Alton College approached us about collaborating on an art installation to highlight the effects of climate change. They wanted to create a coral reef—and invited our community crochet groups to take part.
Using the same skills we’d developed making granny squares, our members began experimenting with stitches, colours, and textures to create coral in all shapes and sizes. Many were amazed at how familiar techniques could be transformed into something so imaginative and sculptural.
The reef, created by Creating Crafts and Blooms as well as other individuals was first exhibited at Alton College at part of Alton Arts Festival 2024. With help from the Alton Men's Shed, we then developed a dismantlable display structure, and the reef has proudly on show at the Curtis Museum in Alton for the past 6 months.
While the Crochet Coral Reef opened the door to exciting creative projects – from a tribute to Jane Austen’s House and Gardens, to fundraising for Cancer Research UK, and supporting Dementia-Friendly Alton – we never lost sight of our core mission.
At the heart of our work is our ongoing blanket project, ‘Giving the Gift of Warmth’. Through this initiative, we gift handmade crochet blankets to people in our local community who need them most.
Blankets are donated to local support organisations, hospices, and directly to individuals who are made known to us as being vulnerable – whether due to age, illness, or disability. Each blanket is a symbol of care, connection, and community – a practical and heartfelt gift made with love." - Katie Gadd
Tuesday 2nd September 2025 - December 2026
The National Oceanographic Centre
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The Coral Reef tells the story of our oceans: their beauty, their fragility, and their power to heal.
The healthy coral is a vibrant, colourful reef full of pinks, blues, oranges, and greens. Rich textures and sea creatures represent a thriving underwater ecosystem.
Coral bleaching is when the damage is done. The reef loses its colour, turning pale, white, and grey. Textures unravel, pieces wilt and pollution like plastic and debris become part of the scene reflecting the harm caused by environmental stress.
Colour and life slowly return, and the vibrant colours start to immerge again. The coral shows signs of recovery through care and collective action. Small sea creatures return to the reef, symbolising renewal.
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