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He makes yarn from plastic bags and sews his clothes on a Twenties treadle-powered Singer machine. Now he wants to take on climate change and anti-social behaviour with the crochet needle.
John-Paul Flintoff, 41, raises awareness about the impact of the clothing industry on the world and the people who work in it.
He is urging people to be more self-sufficient and "sew their own" - and he is convinced that the "meditative quality" of crocheting could be a powerful tool to tackle youth violence.
Mr Flintoff took his machine on to the streets of Camden and worked at a bus stop and benches for three hours. The response was heartening. "Tons of people came and asked me how to sew," he said. "I don't want to tell people what to do but I tell them that I'm having a really good time doing it.
"Why not get people in London to crochet? My long-term aim is to see lots of young people on street corners crocheting hoodies."
He has been developing the idea with the founder of the charity Kids' Company, Camila Batmanghelidjh. The organisation works with vulnerable children and young people.
Mr Flintoff, a writer from West Hampstead, has made Y-fronts from an old jumper as well as other outfits, and mends his five-year-old daughter Nancy's clothes.
Reader views (3)
I think you will inspire many to get back to basics - nothing more satisfying than making your own - whether it is knitting sewing crocheting jam making etc.,
- Lucille Parkins, Port Alfred Republic of South Africa, 22/08/2009 21:06
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You are promoting what so many have quietly done all of their lives. Keep it up!
- Shelba Durston, Victor, California, USA, 20/08/2009 00:09
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I think this is one of the most brilliant ideas I've come across in my lifetime - but then I would say that wouldn't I?
- Dr Ian Flintoff, Oxford, 19/08/2009 15:12
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