Poppy Project 2025

There are many military commemorations taking place this year and we would like to have a special tribute ready for November.

If you are able to knit or crochet (or you have always wanted to try it) then please consider making poppies for the Poppy Project 2025.

Starting Saturday 10 May 2025 there is a kick off session for anyone interested, being held at Amesbury Parish Church, Church Street SP4 7EU from 10am to 1pm. There will be a table at the Plant Sale with instructions and someone to help you get started.

If you cannot attend the session on 10th May but would like information please get in touch contact@amesburyparishchurch.org

Completed poppies can be left in the plastic collection box in the church. Thank you for your contribution to this project

Knitted Poppies

(taken from National Women’s Institute patterns)

Materials:  DK yarn in red and 4mm (UK8) or 4.5mm (UK7) knitting needles     OR

                    Aran yarn in red and 4.5mm (UK7) or 5.0mm (UK6) knitting needles

                    Small amount of black yarn of the same thickness or a black button

1. Garter Stitch Poppy

Using red yarn, cast on 120 stitches.

Rows 1-4: knit

Row 5: knit 3 stitches together across the row (40 stitches)

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 (8 inches). Thread remaining stitches onto the tail and pull tight.

Pull round into a circle and stitch the seam as invisibly as possible.

Sew in ends leaving 2 tails about 15cm (6 inches) long to attach the poppy to the netting.

Centre of poppy

Using black yarn, cast on 16 stitches. Cast off.

Coil into a tight spiral and sew base to the centre of the poppy.

Alternatively, sew on a black button.

2. Ribbed Poppy 

Using red yarn, cast on 60 stitches.

Rows 1-10: knit 2, purl 2 across whole row

Row 11: knit 2 stitches together across the row (30 stitches)

Row 12: slip 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches together and pass the slipped stitch over

                repeat across the row (10 stitches)

Cut yarn leaving a tail of about 20cm (8 inches). Thread remaining stitches onto the tail and pull tight.

Pull round into a circle and stitch the seam as invisibly as possible.

Sew in ends leaving 2 tails about 15cm (6 inches) long to attach the poppy to the netting.

Work the centre of the poppy as above.

Crocheted Poppies

(taken from the National Women’s Institute patterns but written with English terms)

Materials: DK yarn in red and 4mm (UK8) or 4.5mm (UK7) crochet hook         OR

                   Aran yarn in red and 4.5mm (UK7) or 5.0mm (UK6) crochet hook  

                   Black button

Abbreviations: ch = chain                          st(s) = stitch(es)                        rep = repeat

                           dc = double crochet         tr = treble crochet                   slst = slip stitch

1. Three petal poppy

Make 3ch and join with a slst to form a ring    OR     make a magic loop

Work 1dc, 1ch and 9tr into the ring. Slst into the 1ch.  (10sts).

Petal 1

1dc, 1ch, 1tr into the same st as the slst joining the previous round, work 2tr in each of the next 3 sts. Turn work.

Work 2 dc in each st, fasten off. Turn work.

Petal 2

Rejoin yarn and work 2tr in the same place as the last tr of petal 1, work 2tr in each of the next 3 sts. Turn work.

Work 2dc in each stitch, fasten off. Turn work.

Work the third petal as for petal 2.

Sew in ends, leaving 2 about 6 inches (15cm) long in the centre to attach poppy to the netting. Attach a button for the centre.

2. Two petal poppy

Round 1: Make 2ch. Work 10dc into 2nd ch from hook. Join with slst into 1st dc  (10sts).

Round 2: 1dc,1ch,2tr in next st, 3tr in next st, 2tr, 1ch in next st, slst in next 2 sts. Repeat once from

Round 3: *3dc ineach of next 2 sts, 2dc in each of next 5 sts, 3dc in each of next 2 sts, slst in next 2 sts.

                  Repeat once from *. Fasten off.

Complete as for the three petal poppy.