A plethora of crafts and products have been inspired by the upcoming royal wedding of Will and Kate, but none so epic as Knit Your Own Royal Wedding, a book containing knitting patterns for not just Prince William and Kate Middleton, but members of the royal family as well. The book even comes with a fold out of Westminster Abbey for you to stage your own wooly royal wedding.
This book is so amusingly epic I might just have to pick up a copy.
Is it spring yet? Here in the Great White North it certainly is not, but I’m sure it will be soon (that’s what I have to keep telling myself). In the meantime, I’m stuck with what I can only assume is gnome fever. I’ve been looking at all sorts of gnomes on DeviantArt, remembering the days of green grass and fresh warm air, but I was stopped in my tracks when I caught sight of Deviant user Jevist’s Gnome Family Portrait. I love so much about these little plushie guys, from their goofy eyes and poofy beards to their detailed belts, but what I love the most is how Gnombie fills my mind with terribly wonderful ideas of a world full of tiny undead gnomes, complete with their colorful pointy hats. Don’t stop at just the family portrait though, continue on to read about Gnibble, and don’t miss Voracio, the gnome eating Alien!
Craftster artist vampyreragdolls is from Portugal and makes these incredible vampyre rag dolls! They come in all shapes and sizes and you can browse through more pictures on their blog. I love the little coffin boxes that they are packed in. Do these classic type Vampires get anyone else in the Valentines Day spirit?
Happy Chinese New Year! In honor of the year of the rabbit I am featuring my favourite amigurumis, the Moon Buns! Moon’s Creation has so many different Moon Buns for any season or reason, and I think all good geeks should show their excitement for the Year of the Rabbit with their favorite Moon Bun. I’m certainly ready for the tumultuous year of the tiger to be done with and the tranquil year of the rabbit to take over – here’s hoping, right?
Hobbits, wizards, elves, and kings.
What’s not to love about Lord of the Rings?
Many a crafter has been so inspired,
to knit, sew, or sculpt from this story admired.
But some feel the need to go a bit further,
to celebrate this story with a touch of odd fervor.
So check out these crafts, both geeky and unique,
and I promise I’ll stop rhyming in faux-Tolkien speak.
Eye of Sauron Journal
Etsy seller ArtBug offers this one-of-a-kind Eye of Sauron journal, perfect for scribbling down all your evil plans. What I love about this most of all is that the eye friggin’ LIGHTS UP.
Hobbit Feet Baby Booties
I’ve seen various incarnations of these crazy hobbit-feet slippers, but none so cute as these wee baby booties. Knit some up for your own little hobbit with this free pattern offered by Penwiper. Grown-ups can also get in on the hairy foot action with this Hobbit foot pattern from The Unique Sheep.
Door of Durin Beaded Necklace
It took Etsy seller Whitestar Jewelry 15 hours to hand-bead this striking Door of Durin necklace. What impresses me more is the story behind the store, as the maker uses beadwork as a way to soothe her bipolar disorder.
Frodo Plush
Craftster member MumbleFord wasn’t content to simply buy a plush Frodo from a store. She had to make her own! I think he turned out even cuter than the original. She was also generous enough to share her pattern, so you can make your own hobbit.
Map of Middle Earth Cigar Box
The latest LOTR swap on Craftster yielded some amazing projects, from replica cloaks to an amigurumi Bilbo. What impressed me the most, though, was this map of Middle Earth burned into a cigar box, made by Craftster Gommeriffic. Perfect thing for hiding your Old Toby in, eh?
Eye of Sauron T-shirt
Throw Led Zepplin’s “Ramble On” on the turntable and rock out with this crazy Eye of Sauron tie-dyed T-shirt, available from Portland-based Etsy seller Tie Dyed Monkeys.
Miniature J.R.R. Tolkien Art Doll
The man himself, adorably immortalized in clothespin-doll form. Debbie Ritter (Etsy’s Uneek Doll Designs) also has a little C.S. Lewis doll. Makes me wish she had a dollhouse version of the Eagle and Child pub they used to meet in!
I’ve got all things that are good… including this Old Gregg doll!! Well, I don’t have it, but Craftster user warheart does! Look at the seaweed hair!! And the mini bottle of Baileys! The back of the jacket even reads “I’m Old Gregg!” He’s a scaly manfish, he’s got the funk in a box, what’s not to love?!
If you’re not familiar with the hilarity that is The Mighty Boosh (BBC) here is a youtube video of the very best episode The Legend of Old Gregg