ATTENTION! We have hit our goal, please bring in any remaining poppies you have already made by May 31st. We are working on making the installation bigger and better so we need to know the final number of poppies asap!

 

Last year, Museum Strathroy-Caradoc, along with other municipal staff and 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, located outside the museum. We asked the community to create over 3000 knitted or crocheted poppies that will be attached to netting and cascade down the front of Town Hall. 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 as well. As of the end of July, over 9000 poppies have been donated! Please note that the Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission.

 

So what is next?

Volunteers are still needed! We will be hosting attaching days to secure the thousands of poppies to the netting. Set up in Longwoods Hall at Caradoc Community Centre (565 Lions Park Drive, Mount Brydges) October 17-19, volunteers will be able to drop in and help attach the poppies.

- Thursday October 17from 9am-4pm

- Friday October 18 from 9am-4pm

- Saturday October 19 from 12-5pm

Volunteers are welcome to reach out to museum staff to coordinate large groups, and all ages are welcome. Should more time be needed, further announcements will be made.

 

 Installations will go up around November 1st, with ceremonies taking place Saturday November 2nd. There will be a series of events from November 1-11 all relating to remembrance. Events include movie night, unveiling ceremonies, war related artifact day at the museum, special war grave walking tour in the Strathroy cemetery, a book talk by local author C.J. Frederick on her new book, First World War historian event, and the official Remembrance Day ceremonies. More information about these events and where to register coming soon!

 

 

Questions?

Please contact Museum Strathroy-Caradoc at:

Phone: 519-245-0492

Email: info@strathroymuseum.ca

 

 

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 Poppy

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 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.

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