Porthleven knitted recreation of Battle of the Cabbage Patch

Behind the historical piece of art, which took an estimated 400 hours and 26 miles of wool to produce, is the Porthleven Yarn Enablers group from Pisky Cove and The Crafty Crab.

They are taking part in a mass project involving groups of knitters from across the country, recreating events and photographs from the war in knitting and crochet form.

Porthleven was allocated the ‘Battle of the Cabbage Patch’, made famous by TV miniseries Band of Brothers.

This was the last fixed bayonet battle and happened outside Carentan in France. It was strategically necessary to the success of the battles being waged on the Normandy beaches.

Depicted in wool are knitted and crocheted soldiers, poppies and the famous cabbage patch.

The group's creation is on display in Porthleven's Shipyard Market this weekend (Image: Kathy White/Helston Packet)

The group has now said: “Before our knitted and crocheted panel goes to France, to join the others, we would like to share it with people in Porthleven so you can see how you are being represented.

“One group of knitters estimated that each panel will have taken about 400 hours to produce and a total of about 26 miles of wool will have been used in their creation.”

The Harbour and Dock Company is allowing the group their piece in The Shipyard Market this weekend, before it is collected to start its journey to France on Monday (March 11).

On arrival in France, the panels will be stitched together to form the 80-metre depiction of the events of that day.

The Longest Yarn represents 80 years and 80 days of battles in Normandy, as well as telling the story of the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944.

It will be displayed in Notre Dame de Carentan Church, Normandy from May 28 to September 1, 2024, before coming to the UK to Southwell Minster, a cathedral near Nottingham.

It will also be going to the USA for display at Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum in New Jersey.