Charnwood Arts's Big Knitting Group invites you to contribute to Every Pocket Tells A Story a new exhibition at Loughborough's Charnwood Museum, which will explore the history and the future of the pocket.

The pocket has always been a personal and a private place to store precious items. It is the subject of nursery rhymes and common expressions. Traditionally pockets were tied to clothing and made from linen or- if you were wealthy - silk. They hid precious things and personal items and were the targets of pickpockets.

Today pockets are usually integral to clothing. What do you keep in your pocket? Gentlemen, does your loose change slip out of your trouser pocket and down the side of the sofa? We carry around phones, i-pods and other precious personal items but what do the Pockets look like that contain these modern day items?

We invite you to make your own pockets and send them to us to be included in the exhibition. Your pockets should be inventive, humorous and individual and must include a piece of writing inside. This story will be reproduced as the label for your pocket. Please note that the pocket should not include any other contents.

Pockets must be no larger than A6 size (150mm x 105mm), although we will allow you some leeway with this if, for example, your pocket has detail attached to it. Please be inventive and use recycled or reused materials where possible. We encourage you to knit, stitch or use felt for your Pockets but any medium is welcomed. All Pockets we receive will be displayed in the exhibition alongside their Stories.

The exhibition will also contain interactive displays in which the public will be able to divulge the contents of their Pockets, together with items from Leicestershire County Council museums artefacts collection. Displays are also being developed around references to Pockets found in nursery rhymes and traditional expressions and slang. If you have any stories or other material to contribute to this part of the exhibition we will also be glad to hear from you.

Please send your Pockets to Jemma Bagley at Charnwood Arts 31 Granby Street Loughborough Leics LE11 3DU by Wednesday 14th April for exhibition in May and June. If you would like more information, please contact Jemma on 01509-821035 or by e-mail to jemmab@charnwood-arts.org.uk

We are looking to sell all the pockets during the exhibition to raise money for further Big Knitting Group projects. If you do not want your pocket to be sold, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your entry.

Further 'Pocket' inspiration can be found on the Victoria And Albert Museum web-site www.vam.ac.uk