Studley Stitchers on top of the box with latest D-Day creations
THE D-Day heroics will be celebrated in many ways across Britain, but only a few will have the creativity of the Studley Stitchers’ latest toppers.
The group has, over the last few years, knitted some magical characters to mark several momentous milestones in the nation’s history including the Queen’s Jubilee and the King’s Coronation.
Traditionally, The Studley Stitchers like to plan their next project well in advance and arrangements for D-Day began last Christmas.
They need plenty of lead in time because the average topper takes two months to create, an afternoon to put together and 30 minutes to install on the boxes. There are currently seven toppers on show in Studley with an eighth on its way.
One of the stitchers - Diane Dutton – explained why D-Day had been chosen as a theme and why it meant so much to the group.
“D-Day is extremely special to us all. We are varying ages and we each have our own memories. For example, my grandfather drove a tank in the Second World War and myself and my boys loved listening to the tales he wanted to tell even though emotionally some were too awful to share.
We have asked several sources in the forces about our latest project the D-Day wall hanging that is going in the village hall imminently. The hanging has taken six months to create particularly around my day job and outside of my clubs. We have a selection of knitters and crocheters, and we are just joining up our 14th member.
We do it purely for fun and to raise a smile in the village we love. Our motto is ‘knit for pleasure, knot for profit’ and we’ve already got some plans for the Olympics as well,” Diane said.
The D-Day toppers in Studley depict, landing craft, stretcher bearers a big tank and a Lancaster bomber.
