Tribute to the fallen
A breathtaking bed of 1600 knitted and crocheted poppies is to carpet the garden of King’s Park Parish Church in a magnificent tribute to those who died while serving in our Armed Forces and others killed in conflict.
Ahead of November 11 when the nation will mark 100 years since Armistice Day, parishioners, relatives and friends from far and wide knitted and crocheted the poppies, which have been placed on canes and are being ‘planted’ this week in the grounds of the church.
In only six months, 1600 woollen flowers have been created by scores of knitters whose work, which represents the poppies of Flanders Field, will go on display in the garden this Sunday.
Rev Sandra Boyd explained that the inspiration came from a church in Musselburgh and parishioner Cath Graham, who runs King’s Park Parish Church’s Monday afternoon craft cafe, took on her idea and got the project up and running.
As word of the project spread, demand for copies of a knitting pattern acquired by Cath grew.
“It all started in April and it’s amazing that over 1600 have been knitted within this short time,” said Rev Boyd.
“It was an idea that went absolutely crazy. It wasn’t just members of the congregation - it was also members of the community and friends of the congregation and those from further afield who put it together.”
White knitted poppies will form the number ‘100’ as a centrepiece of the touching floral tribute.