Animal Purple Poppy Fund needs your knitting skills
Many of you shared with us the poppies you had knitted to decorate your churches, village halls, park benches – and of course your horses, donkeys, ponies, dogs and cats – to support our Animal Purple Poppy Fund last year. Alongside our purple poppy pin badges we’ve been selling those knitted poppies to help us support animals in need.
The problem is that its been so successful that we’ve nearly run out and with orders pouring in we need your help. Would you be interested in knitting more poppies like these for us? We have a supply of purple wool and silver buttons, but we need kind-hearted knitters to work their magic. The simple pattern below should make a good number of poppies from one ball of wool or yarn, but if you want to be adventurous we’d be delighted to accept any giant poppies you might want to make.
Please contact Margaret at info@warhorsememorial.org if you need supplies. Send your poppies to War Horse Memorial, 18, Ascot Towers, Windsor Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7LG. If you can’t knit but want to get involved, you can make poppies out of purple felt or fabric. All contributions welcome
KNITTING PATTERN FOR POPPIES
For the best finish, knit with a Double Knit 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 any problems you will find lots of tutorial videos on YouTube.
You Will Need
One ball of purple wool (one ball will make a lot of poppies!)
One silver button for each poppy
What To Do Next
Cast on 120 stitchesRows: 1-4 Knit
Row 5: Knit 3 stiches together across the row (40 stiches) (or slip1, knit 2 together, pass slip stitch over the remaining stitch)
Rows 6-9: Knit
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, or leave a length so the poppy can be tied.
For the centre of the poppy use a silver button and sew.