A LIFE-SIZED “Knitivity”, including Mary, Joseph, wise men, shepherds and a camel – all made entirely from wool - stopped visitors in their tracks at an ambitious craft show.

The painstakingly created religious scene was created by a group called the Knutty Knitters. It has taken pride of place at The Knitting and Stitching Show, currently being staged at Harrogate’s International Centre.

The group demonstrated their extraordinary needle dexterity by creating Mary, Joseph, Jesus, three wise men, shepherds, an angel, a knitted sheep, donkey and camel. The work was the result of several years’ work.

Also on display was bunting created from 3,000 knitted miniature Tour de France jerseys. Harrogate Borough Council is inviting people to replicate outfits worn by race leaders to create bunting that will be hung across the district during the race. Show-goers could pick up their own patterns to add to the decorations.

Work created by world-leading textile artists is also being displayed across the show’s 17 galleries and more than 300 exhibitors are selling a vast array of fabrics, wools and threads.

The event runs until November 24 and is expected to draw record crowds as crafts enjoy a huge surge in popularity. According to figures released by the Craft and Hobby Association, there are now 7.2m knitters and 3.5m people sewing their own clothes.