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The Desolation of Smaug in Yarn

JRR Tolkien probably never thought about the characters in the Hobbit worked up into yarny statues but, of course, you know someone would think of it.

Denise Salway from Penyfai, South Wales, UK decided to take on the task.  She admits most of the characters took only a day or two to knit, but Smaug, well it took over a month to get him done.

A picture, however, is worth a thousand words (especially mine about this topic).  So here you go:

The characters from The Desolation of Smaug by Denise Salway
There are things about this work that impress me:

  • The figures are standing on their own.  I don't know what Denise did to insure they are stable enough to support themselves.  In the past when I've knit figures I have to attach them to something to have them stand.
  • Look at the size of Smaug!  Denise stated Smaug took her over a month to complete and you can tell why that would be the case when you look at the detail she added.
  • The details, the embroidered facial features, custome specifics and weapons of choice are so well done.  And as you know, it is all in those details when you are trying to replicate something. 
Click on this link to see the knitted characters and some of their live counterparts in a side-by-side review.  The similarities are remarkable.

So to close, my hat's off to you, Denise Salway, you've shown all of us one more time that knitters are a wonderfully creative and skillful group of people.


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