I'd call it crochet, only that is such a poor way to describe just how cool this art form is. Amigurumi is a Japanese craft where people knit or crochet and then stuff small creatures, animals or MythBusters! Of course, GeekDad has its own connections to the amigurumi world.
Well, there is an Australia librarian and renegade crochet artist who has joined with others to continue geeking this artform up even further. Over at "Pop Culture Crochet," Kim Tairi, has used the wool off the sheep's back to bring the amigurumi likeness to Dr. Who characters, zombies, Star Wars, Angry Birds and even Buffy. So, I just had to ask a few questions.
GD: How did you start?
Kim: I have always had a crafty bent. Each year I like to learn something new and three years ago I decided to learn to crochet after seeing an awesome segment on a television about crochet. A friend of a friend told me about amigurumi and I fell in love with the subculture. I have a short attention span. Amigurumi is great for me because I can finish a piece quickly.
Crafting allows me to create and pay homage to some of my pop culture heroes and idols. Every stitch and every mistake I make improves my technique. It keeps me sane and I can crochet while traveling to work or watching a movie. It is the perfect craft.
GD: Who else is doing it?
Kim: I'm amazed about how may women have rediscovered or reclaimed craft and nana craft like crochet is suddenly cool. I follow a lot of people on twitter and some really cool blogs. There are a couple that stand out for me. My friend Nyss of pixelated mushroom and @craftyiscool is totally awesome.
There is also a whole community for people who make Doctor Who craft on livejournal called Crafty Tardis.
Recently I joined with the KUK Manifesto group. We get together once a month to craft. It is an amazingly supportive environment.I am so happy that people get a kick out of what I do. I have sent angry birds to Denmark and the US and people have kindly sent me photos of the birds in situ. One of the most unusual requests I've had is for the MythBusters, including Buster the crash test dummy.__GD: Any plans for your next pop culture crochet creation?__Kim: I was really pleased with the angry bird and zombie patterns I created and I made them available for free on ravelry.com an online community of knighted/crocheters. It is such a buzz to see other people make craft from your patterns. I have been meaning to make Scully and Mulder for a while and I really want to make a Starbuck from BSG. My friend and I have an idea for creating a zombie army and then putting together an guerilla installation somewhere in the city. But we need to get a bunch of other crafters on board for that one.It is really fine geeky, crafty, work. So, have a look at some of the creations below the fold - or check it out on Flickr. You can get updates following Kim @haikugirloz.
Buffy takes it to Spike...
The Dr. Who Set
One Angry Bird...
You can see more over at Pop Culture Crochet
- More Angry Bird Craftiness (GeekDad POTD) (wired.com)
- Geek Mom + Crochet Artistry = Awesome Amigurumi (wired.com)
