A knitting ‘obsessed’ woman who helped knit the largest bobble hat ever in the UK has revealed her latest tattoo in ode to the hobby – and her late grandmother. Amy Mann opted for an Innocent smoothie outline, along with a ball of yarn and some knitting needles for her inking of choice.
For the avid knitter, who gained her passion for the craft four days after the passing of her grandma, Kathleen “mama” Lawrence, the tattoo also holds another nod of significance. Now, the 30-year-old hopes to share her mama’s legacy for future generations and the selfless efforts she contributed to their local community with her expertise.
“When my mama died, part of me died with her,” the student nurse, from Nottingham, said. “She was like my second mum and was so strong-willed because she had been through much in her life.
“It was like she had become a beacon of life. My mama was always obsessed with lions and tigers, where, before lockdown happened, we were going to take her to go and feed some.
“Sadly, she never got to do it.”
Upon seeing Kathleen in hospital shortly before her death ten months ago at the age of 77, which was caused by severe complications with multiple hiatus hernia operations, they noticed a “plain” blanket on her bed. Amy recalls her mum, Mary, asking to remove the hospital covering immediately and replace it with mama’s own blanket – which had a tiger design.
Speaking about the importance this now holds, she said: “I can’t imagine anything worse than dying in a blue hospital blanket. Everyone should have something warm and cosy.
“I sleep with the blanket my mama died in every night, as it makes me feel like she’s with me. That’s what Kathleen’s blanket is for.”
Soon, she had an epiphany and decided to create Kathleen’s Legacy Blankets, a company which creates knitted coverings “filled with love” for those in palliative care. Now, she’s taken up knitting as her own hobby and has become a notable figure within the community, especially after helping to create the largest bobble hat ever in the UK on 30 January 2023.
The creation stood 23 ft tall, 20 ft wide, with a 1m pompom on top and was made to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of Innocent’s longstanding Big Knit partnership with Age UK. She said: “Kathleen’s legacy is a hug in a blanket and the idea is that if you have nothing or nobody to hold your hand while you die, [at least] you are wrapped in a warm blanket.
“For me, when I’m feeling rubbish, I just want to create something beautiful. Knitting’s really good for easing my head and focusing – it’s definitely helped me cope with things, as it’s a safe place where you can switch off and go into your own little world.
“Yes, a walk is amazing – but what is someone’s bed bound? Knitting offers this relief.”
Now, in a bid to keep her mama and hobby with her at all times, the 30-year-old has revealed her aforementioned latest inking – which was completed by Ed Sheeran’s tattooist, Shea Jackson. Amy added: “Every single tattoo I have has a special story behind it.
"She used to make me mushy peas soup whenever I got sad or ill – and I got the tattoo done as a joke [at first]. My mama would roll her eyes whenever I walked in with a new tattoo, but deep down she loved the mushy peas dedication.
“That’s why I wanted to do something special, to celebrate a special day as a reminder on the hard days, when I feel sad, that something beautiful came out of her death. She wanted to help others and what better way than through a tattoo to remember.”
It is an emotive time for Amy as the inquest into her grandmother’s death is being held.
