‘I crocheted the giant doily on Turner Prize car’

Rachael Mills, pictured in her home crochet studio in Blackburn, says she needs to see it herself to "believe it"

A woman who crocheted a giant doily which an artist used to cover a vintage car has said she has been "pinching herself" after the installation won this year's Turner Prize.

The work of crochet teacher Rachael Mills, from Blackburn, features in Jasleen Kaur's 'Alter Altar', which celebrates the Scottish Sikh community.

The five metre (16ft) wide doily, which is on display at London's Tate Gallery until February, was used by Jasleen for her Turner exhibition to cover a red vintage Ford Escort.

Ms Mills said the attention on her work has been "very emotional".

'Giddy to see it'

The huge doily, on display at London's Tate Gallery until February, was used by Kaur for her Turner exhibition to cover a red vintage Ford Escort.

Established in 1984, the Turner Prize is the most high-profile award in British art.

It is the second time Ms Mills' doily has been used by the artist.

She was initially approached by her in 2021 for the British Textile Biennial art festival in East Lancashire.

"I still can’t believe my work that I made in my own home is going to be featured in the Tate and I have been pinching myself ever since I found out," she said.

"I don’t think I’ll truly believe it until I see it for myself. I am so giddy to go and see it".

The installation was originally placed in former mills and venues across East Lancashire before going to the Tate

Ms Mills originally trained as a bridal seamstress but now runs classes and also makes bespoke items through her business, REM Designs and Crochet Crazy Creations.

"I love to teach crochet and it is such a pleasure to see people develop a new skill which is a wonderful hobby," she added.

"I get just as much pride from teaching people as knowing my work will be on national display."