Commemorating the Normandy landings

Tansy Forster, who lives in Normandy, was inspired by the UK’s tradition of knitted and crocheted post-box toppers, to create some for the posts in front of her house to mark the 80^th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

The project soon snowballed and is now run through a non-profit association with over a thousand volunteers from all over the world. The Longest Yarn has now evolved into an incredible piece of textile art featuring 80 scenes across 80 metres of displays, many depicting the stories of real soldiers during the 80 days it took to reach Paris.

The Longest Yarn goes on display at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Carentan from 28 May to 1 September 2024. You can help support the exhibition’s onward travel to the UK in the autumn by making a purchase from LongestYarnStore on Etsy.com.