A group of Bake Off-loving crafters worked with a Lady Gaga designer to bring to life the ultimate confection-coated dress.
Studded with crocheted sugar highs including striped humbugs and jammy dodgers, the fantastical outfit will be worn by dancer Berta Admetlla when she premieres at Northern Stage as the witch in a dance theatre production called Hansel & Gretel and the Witch.
Celebrated designer Nasir Mazhar, who has made hats for Lady Gaga, created the dress for balletLORENT with help from the Knitters, Movers and Shakers group, which meets weekly in Scotswood in the west end of Newcastle.
The 14 keen crocheters, who are aged between 56-87, first crafted a pick and mix of edible-looking samples for Mazhar to select from, using over 300 balls of wool in the process.
Together, they then created a one-of-a-kind gown, embellished with around 200 handmade sweet treats, including chocolate eclairs, gingerbread men and cherry-topped cupcakes. The witch also wears four crocheted iced doughnuts as bracelets and a cheeky red and white candy cane and cinnamon bun headpiece.
With the show-stopping piece completed, the talented ladies are now busy making other items for the show, which opens on 29 October 2026. These include a further 64 crocheted doughnuts for school workshops, an assortment of mushrooms, nuts and berries for woodland scenes and even a giant chicken’s nest.
Pat Cant, one of Knitters, Movers and Shakers, has been working on the dress since last December. She said: “I can hardly remember when we started, but I’ve probably spent about 10 hours each week since last Christmas
“I can crochet for two hours a day and still not seem to have a lot to show!”I enjoyed making doughnuts and sweets, but the chocolate éclairs took ages to assemble, and I found some of the other cakes rather challenging.
“The dress looks amazing and I’m sure children will love trying to pull the sweets and things off it.”
balletLORENT’s Knitters, Movers and Shakers is free to attend and is welcoming new members aged 55+. They meet at John Marley Centre, Muscott Grove, Newcastle NE15 6TT on Fridays 11.30am-1pm. Contact 0191 233 1811 for more details.
balletLORENT’s Hansel & Gretel and the Witch is at Northern Stage 29 October-1 November 2026 and tickets start at £12
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