The Mayor of Rushcliffe Cllr Tina Combellack is calling on knitters and felters across the Borough to make biodegradable red poppies that can decorate wreaths for this year’s Remembrance Day events and reflections.
Her Remembrance Day Appeal has now begun ahead of events in and around Armistice Day on Friday November 11 and Remembrance Sunday on November 13.
Residents kindly willing to take part are asked to follow the guidelines of the poppy template below.
Once complete, any poppies can be delivered to Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Rushcliffe Arena base on Rugby Road in West Bridgford, NG2 7YG, Rushcliffe Customer Service Centre on Gordon Road in West Bridgford, NG2 5LN, contact points in Cotgrave, Bingham and East Leake, or collected on request.
Madam Mayor said: “As this year’s Mayor of Rushcliffe I am having natural, environmentally friendly wreaths made to lay at churches and memorials in the Borough on Remembrance Day.
“However I want to include poppies which are not in season in November and therefore calling on all knitters and felters out there to make some biodegradable poppies to decorate the wreaths.
“A donation for each poppy will of course be made to the Royal British Legion as we all work towards making wreaths environmentally friendly and less artificial. Thank you in advance for your support.”
Template:
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). If you have different yarn left in your stash, just use that and the appropriate needle size. If you have any problems with any of the techniques in the poppy patterns – and you have access to the internet – you will find lots of tutorial videos on Youtube.
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.
3. Crocheted Poppies
You will need some red wool and a black button.
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.
Petal 3
Work petal 3 as 2. Sew all ends in and attach button in the centre. Add pin.
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
