Poppy Project

Last year, Museum Strathroy-Caradoc and Strathroy Events, along with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 116, officially announced the Strathroy-Caradoc Poppy Project to take place in November 2024. The project was developed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Strathroy Cenotaph. The community was asked to create over 3000 knitted or crocheted poppies that will be attached to netting and cascade down the front of Town Hall. At this time, staff also reached out to the Legions in Mount Brydges and Melbourne with the hopes of expanding the project.

With the involvement of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 251 confirmed in March, museum staff developed plans for an installation near the Caradoc Cenotaph in Mount Brydges on the structure located in the park.

From December 2023 to April 2024, ten drop-in sessions were held at the museum and Branch 251 where staff were available to assist volunteers with their poppies.

By October about 10,000 poppies had been donated! Wonderful volunteers came out over five days to help attach the poppies to the netting. Nearly 4000 have been attached for this year. The installations here on display from November 1-11 and will be back next year! Over the winter of 2025, more attaching days will be held at the museum to make next year’s installation even bigger. So we still need your help! Contact us for more information.

Upcoming attaching days at the museum:

January 9, 2025 @1-4pm

February 6, 2025 @1-4pm

 Please note that the Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission.

Questions?

Please contact Museum Strathroy-Caradoc at:

Phone: 519-245-0492

Email: info@strathroymuseum.ca

The biggest thank you goes out to all the volunteers, staff, and community partners for making this project such a success.  Below are just some of the names of those that worked so hard on this project. If you don't see your name but it should be on the list, please contact us!

Poppy Specifications:

•  Poppies are to be red with a black center and four petals.
•  Other material besides yarn is acceptable, as long as it is weather proof (no paper) and able to attach to the netting with zip ties.
•  Recommended size of poppies should be between 4-8 inches.
•  Recommended yarn: Loops & Threads. 354 YDS/7oz OR 324 m/198g, 100% Acrylic. Medium Weight [4]. Machine washable. Colour: Bright Red (9779) and Black (9536). Please note that other yarn brands, weights, and colour variations are acceptable, this is just a recommendation.  Loops & Threads can be found at Michaels or ordered online. 

• Other suitable yarns;

  • Yarnspirations, Caron One Pound, Medium Weight Yarn [4]. Scarlet and Black.

  • Bernat, Medium Weight Yarn [4].  Berry and Black.

  • Red Heart Super Saver, Medium Weight Yarn [4]. Cherry Red and Black

Tutorial videos:

Strathroy-Caradoc Poppy Project Crochet Tutorial

Strathroy-Caradoc Poppy Project Kit Tutorial 

Patterns found here:

Crochet Pattern:

Crochet Abbreviations: Ch = chain(s); Dc = double crochet; Sc = single crochet; sl st = slip stitch; (12) = indicates the number of stitches at the end of the round

Use 6mm crochet hook.

 With black, make a slip knot with a 8” tail and ch 2.

 Round 1: 12 dc in the second ch from hook. Join with sl st into first dc. Fasten off and leave a 8” tail. (12)

Round 2: Using red yarn, join into the top of any of the black dc leaving an 8” tail. Ch 3 (counts as a dc). 1 dc into the same stitch. 2 dc into each of the remaining dc. Join with sl st to the top of ch 3. (24)

Round 3: Ch 1. 2 dc into each of the next 4 dc, sc into next dc. *sc in next dc, 2dc into each of the next 4 dc, sc in the next dc.* Repeat from *to* 2 more times. Join with sl st into bottom of starting ch 1. (40)

Round 4: *2 dc into each of the next 8 dc, sl st between the 2 sc of the previous row.* Repeat from *to* 3 times. Fasten off, leave an 8” tail. (68)

Do not cut off or weave in tails, they will be used to attach the poppies to the netting.

Knit Pattern:

Knit Abbreviations: K = knit; P = purl; K2tog = knit two together

Use a pair of 5mm knitting needles.

With red, cast on 56 stitches, leaving an 8” tail at the beginning.

Working the next 10 rows as follows:

Right side: K10, P4. Repeat to end (4 sets of each).

Wrong side: K4, P10. Repeat to end.

Cut red leaving an 8” tail.

Change to black, leaving an 8” tail.

Next row: K2tog across

Next row: P across

Next row: slip 1 purl-wise, k2tog , pass slip stitch over until the last stitch. K last stitch.

Cut yarn about 10” long and thread through the last stitches with a darning needle. Pull tight while removing from needle. Sew sides up with corresponding colour. There should be no seam showing on front.

Do not cut off or weave in tails, they will be used to attach the poppies to the netting.