Hello, today we would like to write about an amazing knitting project which came about to honour Remembrance Sunday. This is a fantastic example of what knitters and knitting groups can achieve – we are in awe of the talent shown in this breathtaking piece of knitting!
Please read on to find out all about the Remembrance Day knitted soldier.
6 foot tall Knitted Solder to honour Remembrance Sunday
A Bristol retirement village knitting group created an incredible 6-foot-tall Knitted Solider to honour Remembrance Sunday.
ExtraCare’s Stoke Gifford Retirement Village’s Knit & Natter group spent three months collectively creating the Knitted Soldier. The soldier is the work of 12 residents ranging in age from 63 to 93 years old. Supporting one another in their group the residents created an inclusive environment for all to enjoy, especially those with a past love for knitting who are now faced with challenges such as blindness, loss of dexterity or memory loss.
One member of the knitting group, Pam, created a poem to go with the finished project.
Making our knitted statue – a poem by Pam Lower
A full-length soldier was planned
A young soldier brave and true
Made entirely with knitting
As we began the ideas grew
It started with a wooden frame
The basics were looking good
with hat trousers and jacket
(Not fitting as it should)
Then Natasheya suggested a model
Quite surprised with his height
After a few adjustments
Things were fitting just right
There were belts and buckles
Straps and buttons, each person did their bit
Knitted mug and haversack
Bottle, helmet and sewing kit
We are very proud how he looks
Armed now with his rifle
So rewarded him some medals
And adopted him our unknown hero
Activities Coordinator, Natasheya Archer commented: “I’m so impressed with how our residents took on the huge challenge of knitting a full-size statue for Remembrance Sunday, especially so soon after completing the jubilee project. It was touching to hear residents’ stories of their loved ones who fought in WW1 and WW2 recounting memories of what the uniform looked like to make sure our soldier was accurate”.
The soldier follows the group’s Knitted Queen which they created in honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee and which earned a written response from the Queen before her death. The soldier stood proud for all to see in the ExtraCare retirement village on Remembrance Sunday.
The Knitted Soldier on display at ExtraCare’s Stoke Gifford Retirement Village
The ExtraCare Charitable Trust
ExtraCare is a registered charity established in 1988 and based in Coventry. Our vision is better lives for older people and our mission is creating sustainable communities that provide homes older people want, lifestyles they can enjoy and care if it’s needed. To deliver our vision and mission we essentially do three things:
- We develop new villages
- We operate villages and schemes
- We support our villages, schemes and our ‘extra-care’ model through fundraising, advocacy and research
Each village or scheme has 5 to 18 social, health and leisure facilities that are accessible to our residents, volunteers and local people representing all age groups living in surrounding communities. Our Charity Shops help fund care and well-being services for older people living at our each of our locations.
The Knitting Times 