RSS Feed

Tag Archives: crochet

The Longest Yarn – D Day Exhibition at Tewkesbury Abbey

The Longest Yarn – D Day Exhibition at Tewkesbury Abbey

The other day I was waiting to meet a friend and saw that a free exhibition was in Tewkesbury Abbey opposite. As the tearoom was still closed and the weather was atrocious, I headed to The Longest Yarn to see what it was all about.

WOW!

Tewksbury Abbey

Case after case of hand knitted and crocheted dioramas depicting the lead up and battle of D Day. These were all done by people in UK, France and USA using donated yarn or funded by donations and sales of the guide book.

With around 100 of these amazing creations to look at, I was there for over an hour and would have spent more time of there had not been a military funeral closing the exhibit early that day.

One major regret is not getting the guide book and I really think this should be sold at the beginning of the tour, not just in the shop at the end. There is little information with each piece and I would’ve liked to have known where the piece came from whilst I am looking at it etc. I’m glad I made a donation as I would’ve felt awful if I had not given anything!

The Longest Yarn’s D Day exhibit will only be in the UK until April 1st (no joke!) and then it is being displayed at Cape May in New Jersey from April 25th.

If you want to see it before it goes here are the locations and dates:

Tewkesbury Abbey: Now – 7th Jan

St. Makartins, Enniskillen: 13th Jan – 8th Feb

Norwich University & 2nd Air Division Memorial Library: 10th Feb – 1st March

Peterborough Cathedral: 3rd March – 1st April

Yarn Bombing – The Remembering Tree, Stratford upon Avon


yarn bombing

Yarn bombing by GAGA UK, Wearing Trousers and Coat by Heyday Online

There have been many yarn bombing incidents around the world, but none have touched me as much as the one in my home town. In pitch darkness on the 1st December 2013, 10 volunteers constructed this crocheted tree snood around a big old chestnut in the Bankcroft Gardens, Stratford upon Avon. Made from 1500 crocheted squares, it is called The Remembering Tree and each square can be ‘bought’ and dedicated to a loved one who has passed away. I bought one in memory of my Grandad with the Pipe. It helps us celebrate life and loved ones in all its wonderful colours and was made by women in South Africa from poor communities.

crochet bomb tree

Crochet Bombed Tree

 

This project has helped them earn an income and has taught them new skills. It looks like this tree will be the biggest one yarn bombed in Europe!

crocheted tree

1500 crocheted squares make up the Remembering Tree

After the New Year, the team will take the yarn squares down. The synthetic wool will be washed and recycled into blankets, which will be sent to Sierra Leone or a local homeless charity. For more information visit GAGA UK.

gaga uk remembering tree

All photos owned by Kitten von Mew 2013

Stumbling upon such a wonderful and poignant statement will certainly be something I will remember for the rest of my life. Who can say that about a crocheted square?

the remembering tree

The Remembering Tree, Stratford upon Avon