What started as a simple garden gate decoration has evolved into an extraordinary international art project, as knitters worldwide have created 80 intricate wool scenes depicting the D-Day landings for the 80th anniversary.
“The Longest Yarn,” now showing at St Macartin’s Cathedral in Enniskillen, transforms military history through an unexpected medium. Created by Northern Ireland native Tansy Forster, who now lives in Normandy, the exhibition features everything from RAF bombers to beach assaults, all painstakingly crafted in wool.
“It started off as a topper for my garden gate and I’m afraid I got a little bit carried away,” Forster admits of her “bonkers idea” that has captivated crafters from Britain, Ireland, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and France.
The exhibition’s attention to historical detail is remarkable. One scene recreates the crucial weather report from Maureen Sweeney at Blacksod Lighthouse in County Mayo that delayed the invasion by 24 hours. Another depicts Enniskillen veteran Bill Eames’ mission towing a glider towards Pegasus Bridge.
Jean Wood, a contributor from County Cork, spent hours researching photographs to ensure her field hospital scene near Utah Beach was historically accurate. “I love it if children can be attracted by it and find out just a little bit about what happened in the past,” she says.
Cornwall-based Jo Groves invested over 300 hours crafting a scene of the first liberated village, complete with a church and civilians greeting soldiers. “It was well worth paying homage to the veterans,” she explains. “We don’t want to lose this part of our history.”
The exhibition’s journey to Enniskillen came through chance when Claire Holmes from St Macartin’s knitting group, The Knitwits, discovered it in France. Now local crafters are contributing to Forster’s next project, “Britain at War,” creating scenes of American troops arriving in Northern Ireland.
“The Longest Yarn” remains on display at St Macartin’s Cathedral until February 8, offering visitors a unique perspective on one of history’s most significant military operations through the unexpected medium of wool.
