Local woman crochets cosy Athlone scene

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Athlone resident Linda Butler has made waves after sharing her crochet artwork of Athlone online.

The Dublin-native has been living in the town for the past six years, and was inspired to create the iconic Athlone skyline in wool last summer.

“I've been crocheting for the last 12 years – I started when I had my first born. I wanted to crochet a blanket, and I just learned on YouTube,” Linda said.

Typically, Linda sticks to making blankets and teddies for family and friends, however, when boredom stuck last summer she decided to challenge herself to create a scene of the town.

“The idea just came to me. I always thought that crocheting building would be hard. I made a plan for the main three buildings, and I set them in the background,” she said.

Linda spent the full summer working away on the project, and decided it was finished after adding a few more iconic Athlone symbols.

“I decided to add the medical helicopter, the Viking Boat, the town bridge, and the cycleway bridge,” she said. “I thought it I added any more after that – it would be massive altogether!”

The stay-at-home mum had the scene displayed in her front window for all to enjoy, however, in the colder months she decided to move it to her living room for safe keeping.