After the success of the project to create the World's Largest Knitted Christmas Tree in 2005 (click here for Christmas tree article), Alison Murray decided that a second knitter's venture was in order. The 2006-07 project was the creation of a knitted gingerbread house, complete with furniture on the inside and a yard and trees on the outside. The house alone is estimated to be "about the size of an average living room."
Over 2000 knitting packs with instructions for creating the gingerbread men, cupcakes, and other sweets adorning the house were distributed. Local knitters made most of the pieces, but contributions also came from France, Spain, Canada, and the U.S. Everyone who knitted for the house had his/her name entered in the recipe book "In Praise of Ginger." Created in conjunction with the project, the book contains ginger recipes and pictures of the Gingerbread House and Christmas Tree knitting projects.
The completed house was on display at the Atlantic Village Mall in Bideford, Devon, England from July through September 2007. After September, the house was booked for a seven-city UK tour organized by International Craft and Hobby Fairs Ltd. The Gingerbread House knitting project and recipe book serve as fundraisers for London's Great Ormond St. Hospital for Children.
Plans are already underway for project number three.
The Spurlock Museum appreciates Alison Murray's help in putting together this webpage. All photos are courtesy of Alison Murray, Devon, England.
