Have you ever stepped out of your front door to be greeted by three GIANT CROCHET LIONS? No, I didn't think so! This has been the spectacular view from my doorstep this week...
Aren't they just incredible and GIGANTIC?!? Understandably they are protected from the elements by a glass case, but it does make photographing them a little tricky!
Just look at that detail - those straight lines and perfect circles!
Not the clearest of shots below, but one that gives you a sense of the sheer scale of the project set against the backdrop of Leicester's Curve theatre.
So, what's this is aid of I hear you ask? To celebrate the rich textile heritage of the East Midlands of course! These lions were hand crocheted by Shauna Richardson with 36 miles of yarn, using a 10mm hook and the wool of 150 Derbyshire Dales sheep...WOWZERS!!! You can catch this display in Leicester until 10 July, but to find out more about the project, including its tour dates across the country, hop on over here.
So friends, are you suitably impressed? If you crochet, what's the largest thing you've ever made...if you have a link to share, even better ;o)
I tried learning to crochet earlier this year, but I was pretty terrible. I finally managed to crochet a decent-ish granny square, but a week later I had literally forgotten how to do it. FAIL!!!
Wow! That's impressive!!
ReplyDeleteThis is INCREDIBLE! I am new to crochet. I have only made tiny little crochet animals and my biggest object.... is a baby's hat. lol!! I am very impressed by these. I'd so love to see them in person! Amazing!
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely amazing - I can't believe the sheer size of the project. I wonder how long it took the lady to crochet. If I lived in the UK I would definitely go and see this display. Perhaps it will come down under one day! Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteWOW! So impressive! Did they mention how long she's been working on the project?
ReplyDeleteI used to crochet at school but now most of my free time is dedicated to sewing. Would be great to start again one day!
I love them and want them for myself. I don't know how to crochet, but I might consider learning if I can make some rad lions to display in each corner of my home. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteNever crocheted anything that big other than bedspreads...and then there is always the question of stuffing.
Curve Theatre...in my day it was the Phoenix theatre by the bus station and the Haymarket..have they gone now then?
Yep, the Haymarket theatre is gone now. Phoenix has moved and is quite close to Curve now!
DeleteOh my god these are amazing! Even more so to me, because like you, I seem unable to crochet! You've got one step further than me by actually creating a granny square! I really want to master it though so I might have to giove it another go. Hope they come to Birmingham so I can see them for myself!
ReplyDeleteI love this! it is amazing and I hope I get to see it in person! I do crochet a little bit but the biggest thing so far has been a little amigurumi characters that I have made.
ReplyDeleteOMG! Those are just amazing! I wouldn't know where to start!
ReplyDeleteThese are awesome! I can crochet now but it took me ages to learn and I found it much harder to pick up than knitting.
ReplyDeleteWow they looked big then you moved back and they look like DINOSAURS! Awesome, I love the circles too.
ReplyDeleteI love Shauna Richardson's Crochetdermy, I saw some in the V&A last year - truly impressive.
ReplyDeleteI'd be happy with being able to make a decent granny square! I started again recently after doing a class last year but my tension was too tight and it ended up teeny :)
Whooeee! Those are some big crochet lions!! Color me impressed!
ReplyDeleteso incredible. I managed a teeny tiny (and totally misshapen) amigurumi bird last week. And boy was that hard work!
ReplyDeletethat is SO COOL. the most i've ever tried is a square and i failed miserably!
ReplyDeleteI love them ......even though their teeth look pretty tough & they're not smiley they are adorable. And then you start to think about the sheer feat of creating them - marvellous
ReplyDeleteWow, these are really amazing! What dedication to finish!
ReplyDeleteThey're awesome :D
ReplyDeleteI never understand why people start with granny squares, I've been crocheting about five years now and only just figured them out from YouTube videos. What I make is usually restricted to rectangles and circles (both wonky), and tends to take a long time to complete. I find it's the perfect craft to pick up and put down when I feel like it, and making fairly simple things means I don't have to use my brain too much!
One of the biggest things I've made is this blanket:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dichohecho/4112936951/
It got a bit looser as I went on, but it's been a good throw for my cheap Ikea sofa :)
I looked at your blanket. It's epic! Well done for sticking with it. :)
DeleteMy goodness, wow! Your blanket really is epic!!!
Deleteohmigod. THOSE ARE AMAZING!!! Seriously fantastic. Thanks for sharing all of these wonderful pictures with us!
ReplyDeleteamazing to see these and great that the midlands textile heritage is being celebrated. I am originally from Mountsorrel and my grandmother worked in the woolen mills and several aunties and uncles worked in the industry too for years. I love to see a little bit of home in your blog.
ReplyDeleteLinda in Australia.
Stunning work of art
ReplyDeleteThese lions are fabulous! Imagine the love, care and man hours that went into them.
ReplyDeleteThe largest thing I've ever crocheted is this granny throw-http://www.ravelry.com/projects/SimpleFibreLife/tri-colour-granny-square-throw
It took me ages to make, but it is lovely and warm in winter when I'm curled up on the couch. :)
Gosh, that's beautiful!
DeleteThis is soooo cool! They are huge. So clever. I went to an exhibition the other day with large crocheted items too. Patricia Waller crochets some crazy characters. http://pinterest.com/pin/279363983105689246/
ReplyDeleteI like to crochet little toys, but I have not crocheted anything on a large scale.
Amazing - wish they were visiting somewhere near me. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete(You're on the Lovely Blog list I've just posted at http://snippa-snippets.blogspot.co.uk/)
Oh wow, thanks so much!!!
DeleteWowsers, they're awesome! I'm new-ish to crocheting and started with a granny square blanket. I never finished it off with edging but that's a good thing because I've now bought a king size bed so need to increase the size of the blanket. I find it very relaxing and so easy to do a few squares on the commute to work; I've even become a pro at crocheting whilst standing up on a train! Don't mind the mess on the bed or the crappiness of the photo! http://hahamissymoo.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/crochet
ReplyDeleteFantastic work, your blanket looks incredible!!!
DeleteOh wow, amazing!
ReplyDelete