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poppies, 2009

I’m reposting this blog entry from last year, because I don’t think I can improve on it for 2009! Thanks to the people who have donated already for this year.

Right after Halloween in Canada, poppy pins blossom on lapels across Canada. We have Remembrance Day on November 11th to commemorate the sacrifices of war.

The poppy is a symbol of remembrance, and was popularized after the First World War due to a poem by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. Few poppies grew in Flanders, France, before the war broke out; rubble from bombardments enriched the soil with lime, and then the fields exploded with the blood-red flowers. Once the war was over, the lime became reabsorbed and the poppies disappeared.

In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
- Lt. Col. John McCrae

So to help you remember, here’s a little free pattern for a poppy. It knits up very quickly in scrap yarn – I used aran weight black something, and triple-stranded Schaefer Anne for the red. You want to use a small needle so that it’s stiff. Finished size is approximately 2 inches across.

Download Poppy.pdf

Poppies are not bought or sold; people make a contribution for their poppy.
Any donations from this pattern will be given to the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund, which is used to provide immediate assistance to ex-servicemen and women in need. This may include food, shelter or medical attention for them or their families. Also, education bursaries are granted to children and grandchildren of ex-service personnel.

More information about the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Campaign.

7 Comments to poppies, 2009

1 Alison
November 2, 2009

Laura, I love that you are doing this. I purchased the pattern last year, but I will make a donation on your site for every year that you post it. Good work.

2 Rachel
November 2, 2009

Very nice idea!

3 Maryse
November 2, 2009

I did not know that story. Shame on me…

4 Farrah
November 3, 2009

My grandma used to recite this poem to me. I think I’ll knit her a poppy and mail it to her. Thank you for encouraging others to remember.

5 Georganna
November 9, 2009

Hi Laura,
Thanks so much for the poppy pattern. I love that Remembrance Day (Veteran’s Day here) is still observed with so much respect there in Canada. I remember people here wearing poppies here when I was a child (a looooong time ago). Wonder why that tribute to our veterans has faded away? Well anyway, I’m going to make a poppy and wear it Wed. Maybe I’ll get some questions about why I’m wearing it, and I’ll be happy to explain. My dad was a veteran of W W II and fought through D Day and into Europe for 3 years, so it’s the least I can do, isn’t it?
Blessings,
G

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