Life-sized woollen swan perched on postbox in Lake District

The 'yarnbomb' was created by members of Widowed and Young (WAY) who have been meeting in the Lake District each summer for the past six years.

The group combines a love of crafts with outdoor activities and socialising with others who have been widowed at a young age.

The woollen swan (Image: WAY)

Jodie, a member of the crafting subgroup for WAY members without children, said: "It’s a really chilled weekend of crafting and going for walks.

"Because it’s such a chilled weekend you get the chance to make real connections with fellow widows.

"We share breakfast, lunch and dinner together for three days.

"Last year we all hiked and jumped into a freezing cold plunge pool together.”

The idea for the swan was sparked by Jodie just days before the group's annual trip to the Lakes.

She said: "I had just two and a half days to create a swan head, wings and postbox base – along with a body out of chicken wire for everyone to attach their pompoms to.

"I arrived in the Lakes with scratches all over my arms from the chicken wire and repetitive strain injury from all the crocheting."

The swan in progress (Image: WAY)

The swan, inspired by WAY's logo, is helping to promote the charity's work.

It has a small card with information about WAY's peer support network and a QR code linking to its website.

The charity's founder, Caroline Sarll, chose a swan as the logo for its symbolism of the duality of grief – calm on the surface but paddling furiously below to stay afloat.

The information provided by the swan (Image: WAY)

Jodie, who has previous yarnbombing experience in the northwest, said: "This has been the yarnbomb that I’m most proud of so far.

"I do them because I like the feeling of spreading joy."

The crafty crew isn't done yet, with another project in the pipeline for Christmas.