I am so excited to be sharing this wonderful new community craft/art project with you.
Between 2014 and 2018 Australia will commemorate the Anzac Centenary, marking 100 years since Australia’s involvement in the First World War.
The aim of this project is to create a field of 5000 poppies which will be displayed publicly in Melbourne on ANZAC Day 2015 as a community tribute to commemorate more than a century of service by Australian servicemen and women in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations in which Australians have been involved.
Now I know that 2015 seems a long way off … Almost two years … But there is a LOT of work to be done between then and now and a milestone or two to meet along the way.
5000 seems like a large number right now … But I know its achievable …Once the crafting community get behind the project. Already we have at least 10 contributors making poppies … And almost 100 poppies have been made in only a couple of weeks .
Poppies can be crocheted, knitted, felted or stitched in any design you like and must, of course, be RED and no more than 15 cm in diameter. That’s the only criteria.
I happen to be a crocheter, and will post a pattern shortly for a simple crochet version to get you started. In the meantime, however, there are many knit and crochet patterns available on the internet and many references if stitching is your thing … and, although I have not looked, I am sure there is at least one YouTube tutorial for a crochet or a knit poppy on there somewhere as well.
The first milestone is to make at least 500 poppies for display at Fed Square to commemorate Remembrance Day 2013. This will generate public interest for the project and get people excited about contributing. More news on this soon.
We will also be running a couple of workshops at Fed Square over the next few months for anyone who would like to join our little group … Which will be a lot of fun.
So if you would like to get involved in this wonderful, worthwhile, meaningful community craft/art project … we would love to have you.
More news very soon.
5000 POPPIES 
Great idea! =)
Thank you …. I am very excited about the project … and although it’s still a long way away … I can visualise the outcome.
I’m a knitter rather than a crocheter, so I wonder if anyone has a knitting pattern.they could post too..
Hi Wendy … no knitting pattern at the moment. I am hoping someone will devise a knitting pattern and send it to me for posting. There are knitted poppy patterns on the web although I do not have the right to repost here without permission, and there is a lovely knitted poppy pattern in the book 100 flowers to knit & crochet in the Milner Craft Series by Lesley Stanfield.
yes the knitted field poppy is the first design in 100 flowers to knit and crochet by Lesley Stanfield
Hi here’s links to two knitted Poppies
http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&faqKey=498
http://blog.themakingspot.com/blog/knit-your-own-poppy
If someone posts a knitting pattern I will be in. Anzac Day is very dear to my heart.
Hi Ann … you don’t have to knit or crochet …. you can stitch a poppy. Lx
What an amazing project. Good luck. Xxx
Thank you … Such a long way to go!
Bit at a time 🙂 I made some Anzac biscuits yesterday. I never really thought about the link until I read you post!
Cannot wait to see the crochet pattern. I have googled patterns and found quite a few but I will wait to see yours. What an amazing idea!!!
Hi Judy, have put up a draft version of the pattern … would love you to trial for me and feedback if you wish. Enjoy making. It’s such good fun and they are so QUICK to make.
Lynn
found a nice knitting pattern… which I adapted just a smidge to suit bluebell rather than 8 ply cause that what I had at hand…and have three here waiting to wing their way to you.
Hi wendy … Send photos for the blog. Love to have you on board!!
As I think about this project I am reminded of the epitaph on the headstone of a soldier buried at Port Arthur Tasmanian …so I thought I’d share it with you all. It reminds me just what huge role the armed forties have played in this country since settlement.
I left my nation and my home
my country to defend.
I here shall lay till the last day
till time shall have an end.
When Jesus calls my dust shall rise
When the last trumpet sound
with millions more ascend the skies
by angels guarded round.
From the headstone of Robert Flowers of the 96th Regiment, died at Port Arthur July 12 1845.
Wendy this is amazing. I hope you don’t mind if I share it on the blog.
Lynn
Count me in! I have found a pattern and stared my first poppie! I am a crocheter too, so will share this with my crafty friends on FaceBook, and on Tuesday (when kids are back at school) I will add a link on my website. My Great Grandfather fought in WW1, and it has flowed down through the family. Best of luck, will post pics ASAP ❤
Thank Alison.
It will be a lot of fun.
We have a facebook group as well … 5000poppies … would love to have you join the group and post your photos and comments.
Lynn
Can’t wait to see your pattern. I’d love to help out!
Thanks Dannie,
You can see a couple of patterns for both knit and crochet here https://5000poppies.wordpress.com/poppy-patterns/ and will be posting a new crochet pattern which is a little easier, quicker and uses less yarn in the next day or so.
Regards,
Lynn
.. What a special idea x
Thanks Dannie … I expect it will be a very special day when we see them all laid out in tribute.
Regards,
Lynn
My grandmother is 94 this year – born 1919.. She’s a lifetime knitter and crochets too…. for hospitals, service men and for the poorer communities overseas. She’s been involved in C.W.A and would find other women to join in making them…. this would be something close to her heart..
Thanks Donna … I know the project with resonate with many many people for a whole lot of different reasons. I look forward to your grandmother’s involvement.
Regards,
Lynn
Sounds wonderful. What address do we send completed poppies to. I’d love to have a go at knitting a poppy.
Hi Kristine,
Poppies can be sent with the submission for (just to make sure I get your details) … see link on the blog here https://5000poppies.wordpress.com/submissions/ Details for postage are on the form.
I look forward to your involvement.
Lynn
I am an avid crocheter in Canada and would love to help with this project. Looking forward to the pattern.
Hi Joanne, there are a couple of patterns here … https://5000poppies.wordpress.com/poppy-patterns/ … both knit and crochet. Or you can use your own pattern if you like. I will be posting a new crochet pattern in the next day or so which was submitted by one of the participants. We are just testing it now. Look forward to your involvement. Lynn
I’d live to crochet some for you I’m in the UK would that be ok Val
Thanks Dotty .. Would love to have you crochet some. It’s a wonderful project and has been incredibly well received. I look forward to your involvement. Lynn
me gusta,ya me pongo con todo para las amapolas!!!!gracias
Muchas gracias Cristina. Lynn
Tejer para una causa, hermoso
Gracias Immaculada … que será muy divertido y lleno de corazón. Lynn
si mi piacerebbe partecipare, adoro i papaveri!
Thanks Sara, Attendo con ansia la vostra partecipazione Lynn
Reblogged this on Tangle with Tami.
Thanks Tami … I’ve been gratified by the interest. Look forward to your involvement.
Lynn
wow
that is awesome
i made 100 pink ribbons but a 1000 🙂
Yep Barbara … 5000 is a lot but there is so much interest. And we have 18 months … so we should be fine. Lynn
Would love to get involved. Will look for a pattern on line
Hi Jo. There are a couple of patterns here both knitted and crocheted. Look forward to your involvement. Lynn
Lovely idea, I’m in. Just copied the crochet pattern you have written, seems like it will work well, will give it a go and let you know.
Thanks Lynette. Look forward to seeing your poppies in due course … so much fun and such a wonderful project. Enjoy crocheting. I will be posting a new pattern submitted by one of the participants in the next day or so once we have tested it. Seems easier, quicker and less yarn. Very effective. Lynn
Just finished my first crochet poppy, and your pattern was fine, except I started it off with 5 chains to form a ring to work the first 10 trebles into. It is lovely and I will be making a lot more. I am a Country Women’s Association member of Glenreagh Branch in NSW and I took it to our friendship day today and two ladies are going to make some crochet ones and another knitted one and she will continue to knit more. I am taking it along to our craft afternoon tomorrow and am sure some more of our ladies will join in with this project. I am looking forward to seeing the next crochet pattern you are writing. Told a craft officer at a nursing home in Coffs Harbour today and she thinks some of the residents there might like to do some as well. I am sure we will be able to help you make the 5000.
Wonderful Lynette … excited about the level of interest … and I think it’s suitable for all ages. I have posted another crochet pattern today which originated from Lorraine Bishop which is much easier, much less fibre and much quicker. You will see the results posted on the blog tomorrow.
Lynn
WOW – this is pretty amazing! The poppies are beautiful! 🙂 What a fun project and lovely pattern!!!
Thanks Dawn.
Hope you enjoy making.
Lynn
I would love to get involved with the 5000 poppies cause my son is in the ADF and I would love to represent him where can I get a crochet or knitted pattern
Wonderful Kerri … Love to have you on board. You can find patterns on the blog here https://5000poppies.wordpress.com/poppy-patterns/
Enjoy making and feel free to spread the word.
You can also join our facebook community at 5000 poppies to share your progress if you would like.
I will be visiting Villiers Brettaneux, the Australian Memorial in France in October and driving around for 3 weeks. Will knit as DH drives. Thanks for the pattern, will also post it on my blog for you.
Fantastic Jenni. How appropriate. Enjoy your trip and I look forward to seeing your poppies in due course.
Lynn
A wonderful idea, I would love to contribute poppies to this project.
Thanks June,’
Look forward to having you join us in our remarkable quest.
Lynn
Hi, I mentioned this project to my quilt group today so hopefully we will get some poppies. One question I was asked and that is what is going to happen to all the donated poppies afterwards.
Hi Krystyna,
We are still working on that question. They will either be donated to RSL/Legacy or another suitable organisation so they can sell them and make some money … but before that I am hoping also that we may be able to display them elsewhere … at least temporarily before they get donated. We think that 5000 gorgeous handmade poppies (or more) would raise a decent amount for charity but we don’t want to cut into the fundraising efforts of other organisations. They will not be returned to the original makers. That would just be an impossible task. We will keep you posted on this matter because we know it’s an important one.
Hi…I’d love to help with this. I can’t wait for the pattern 🙂
Wonderful idea!
You can find patterns here https://5000poppies.wordpress.com/poppy-patterns/
Lynn
Is it ok for me to cross stitch some
Of course Kylie … we have some very beautiful cross stitched poppies.
Lynn