In 1918 on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month the 1st World War ended.
People wanted to remember those who had given their lives for peace and freedom. Moina Michael, an American War Secretary, inspired by John McCrae’s poem, ‘In Flanders’ Fields’, began selling poppies to friends to raise money for the ex-Service community. This is how the ‘poppy’ tradition began, with each poppy helping to support the British Armed Forces past and present, and their families.
The remembrance poppies have evolved over the years, made from different materials and worn in different ways, and this year has been no exception.
Our customer, Hobbycraft, hosted an event with their resident knitters; gathering together to take part in the Poppy appeals ‘Big Knit’. The aim of the ‘Big Poppy Knit’ is to make 11,000 poppies to mark each of the 11,000 Nottinghamshire men who died during the Great War. With our head office located in Nottingham we thought it was only right that we go down and get involved – every poppy counts.
As amateur knitters it was a challenge for us at Retail Assist to contribute but with the simple knitting patterns provided by BBC Nottingham we were able to donate to the cause. You can see our efforts below:
On the day there were lots of ladies either knitting or crocheting poppies and we had great fun in making black pompoms for the centre of the poppies – as I said we are amateur knitters so our talents were better suited to pompom making.
Whether you knit one or one hundred poppies, you will be commemorating those who lost their lives in WW1. Get knitting or crocheting now and donate your poppies for this amazing cause.
We have included the knitting and crochet patterns below, so you can have a go for yourself – check out YouTube for some easy knitting tutorials:
Knitted Poppies
For the best finish, knit with a Double Knit (DK yarn). The size of needle you choose will determine how big the poppy will be, but we recommend 3.5mm or 3.75mm (UK9).
1. Easy garter/knit stitch pattern for beginners
Colour A Red (one ball will make a lot of poppies!)
Colour B Scrap of Black or a black button
Body of Poppy
Using Col A cast on 120 stitches.
Rows 1-4 Knit
Row 5 Knit 3 stiches together across the row(40 stiches)
Rows 6-9Knit
Row 10 Knit 2 stitches together across the row(20 stitches)
Rows 11-14 Knit
Row 15 Knit 2 stitches together across the row(10 stitches)
Cut yarn leaving a tail of about 20cm
Thread tail through yarn needle and slip all the remaining live stitches onto the yarn tail and pull tight. Pull around into a circle and then mattress stitch (or use whatever stitching you normally use) to seam for an invisible seam. Sew in ends.
Centre of Poppy
Using B, cast on 16 sts. Cast off. Coil into a tight spiral and sew base to the centre.
Or use a black or green button with 4 holes and sew to centre of poppy. Add pin.
2. Easy ribbed poppy pattern
Colour A 1 ball red yarn (this will make a lot of poppies)
Colour B Scrap of black yarn or black button
Body of Poppy
Using Col A Cast on 60 stitches
Row s1 –10 : K2, P2 across whole row(for a slightly smaller poppy do 8 rows of rib).
Row 11 : Knit 2 stitches together across the row (30 stitches).
Row 12 : Slip 1 stitch, Knit 2 stitches together then pass the slip stitch over… repeat across the whole row (10 stitches).
Break off yarn with long tail and thread back through remaining stitches and pull tight. Join edges with mattress stitch
Centre of Poppy
Using B, cast on 16 sts. Cast off. Coil into a tight spiral and sew base to the centre.
Or use a black or green button with 4 holes and sew to centre of poppy. Add pin.
Crocheted Poppies
You will need some red wool and a black button.
1. Three petal crochet poppy with 4.5mm hook
Ch 3, join with slst to form circle.
Ch 3, work 9 dc into the centre of the circle and join with slst.
Work the three petals separately.
Petal 1.
Ch 3, work 1st dc into same st, work 2 dc into each of the next 3 sts.
ch 1 work 2 sc into each st, tie off.
Petal 2.
work 2 dc into last dc of previous petal, work 2 dc into each of the next 3 sts.
ch 1 work 2 sc into each st, tie off.
Work petal 3 as 2.
Sew all ends in and attach button in the centre. Add pin
2.Two petal crochet poppy
Rnd 1: With 3mm hook and wool, ch2. Make 10dc in 2nd ch from hook. Join with a slst in 1st dc. (10sts)
Rnd 2: *ch1 dc ch1 2tr in next st, 3tr in next st, 2tr ch1 dc in next st, slst in next 2sts. rep from * once again.
Rnd 3: *ch1 3dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next 5sts, 3dc in next 2 sts,slst in next 2sts. rep from * once again. Fasten off.
Attach button in the centre. Add pin.
Stitch explanation st(s) = stitch (es)
ch = chain rep=repeat
dc = double crochet rnd=round
htr = half treble crochet slst = slip stitch
r = row tr = treble crochet
Send or bring your finished poppies to:
BBC Radio Nottingham
London Road
Nottingham
NG2 4UU
All poppies will be donated to the Poppy Appeal , make sure you get your poppies in by the 22nd October 2014.
…And don’t forget to wear your poppy with pride.
If you are interested in our services then visit our website at: www.retail-assist.co.uk. You can contact us via email: info@retail-assist.co.uk or call us on: +44 (0) 115 853 3910, you can also search ‘RetailAssist’ on Twitter and Instagram, just make sure you hashtag #BigPoppyKnit when posting any pictures of your knitted poppies.