Free pattern: Stitched Slake Moth + Plarchie meets China Mieville

The humble Slake Moth is possibly one of the most unsettlingly horrifying characters that ever crawled menacingly from the pages of a book. In this case the book is China Mieville‘s Perdido Street Station.

They feed on people’s dreams, they excrete nightmare-making invisible poo, and they leave their victims behind as drooling hunks of human vegetable.

“The thing made its body thin and spread those colossal wings, massive flat folds of stiff skin that seemed to fill the hall. They were irregular, chaotic in shape, random fluid whorls; but mirror-perfect left and right, like spilt ink or paint patterns on folded paper.” Perdido Street Station

So what would make a more perfect tribute to Mr Mieville’s monsters than to immortalise them in lovely squishy yarn, I ask you?

Stitched Slake Moth - the gang's all here

I was invited to take part in The Kitschies Steampunk Party by the squid-worshipping Pornokitsch team Jared and Anne (Pornokitsch are well worth stalking  if you’re a fan of cult classic movies, books, comics and things that go ‘Arrrrrggggghhhhhh! Raaaaaaarrrrrghhh!” in the night. They’re on Facebook and Twitter too). Well, actually Plarchie was invited and I kind of just tagged along, as I do in the role of his Puny Human Attaché.

Stitched Slake Moths are Hatched

For the event I conjured up a Stitched a Mini Slake Moth pattern for a mini workshop where people could make something handmade and horrifying all at once.

I also created the five Slake Moths from the book as exclusive Whodunnknit limited editions, in five dreamy flavours:

Stitched Slake Moth - Slake Moth the First 'Tastes like chicken'

Stitch Slake Moth the First likes his dreams rare

Stitched Slake Moth - Slake Moth the Second 'Perchance to Dream'

Stitched Slake Moth the Second is a bit of a luvvie and can't wait munch your musings

Stitched Slake Moth - Slake Moth the Third 'Any dream'

Stitched Slake Moth the Third is the runt. He likes musicals and chomping on your day dreams

Stitched Slake Moth - Slake Moth the Fourth 'Nice Dream Sundae'

Stitched Slake Moth the Fourth thinks he's punny and wishes to nibble your nightmares

Stitched Slake Moth - Slake Moth the Fifth 'Sweet dreams'

Stitched Slake Moth the Fifth is a big fan of Annie Lennox and destroying minds

Want to make one of your own? You can!

Download the free Stitched Slake Moth knitting pattern right here

It’s also got its very own page over at Ravelry. For the love of all that is holy go forth and queue or favourite it. Before it favourites you…

Slake Moth Adoption and When Plarchie Met China

And did the Kraken-creator finally meet the world’s most infamous crafty Kraken?

Mr Miéville, after signing many many books for lines of squealing fans, was inexplicably drawn to the area where Plarchie held court.

China adopted the original “Dreams Taste Like Chicken” Stitched Slake Moth and took him home with him. There, I hope, it will wreak havoc in its woolly way for the foreseeable future. Apologies in advance to China Miéville fans for lack of books when it eats his dreams while he sleeps.

He also signed my copy of Kraken. Squeeee! “To Deadly Knitshade, with the awe, respect and solidarity of one Architeuthis geek to another. China Mieville. Thank you for my moth!”

Stitched Slake Moth - Deadly Knitshade, China Mieville and a Stitched Slake Moth

Squid makers during the official Stitched Slake Moth adoption

Two of the Stitched Slake Moths were also adopted by brave Kitschies Chief Wranglers Jared and Anne, who also took one along with them for a competition prize. Yup, you can win one of the handmade horrors over at the Pornokitsch website! Eeeeeek!

Stitched Slake Moth - Kitschies Head Wranglers Anne and Jared

Steampunk stars Anne and Jared foolishly take in three of the little creatures

And that wasn’t the end of it. I’m sorry to have to admit that I also let several other Steampunk Party revellers in on the secret of making their own. And make them they did, with no regard for the safety of humankind.

Stitched Slake Moth - Moth Makers

Foolish crafty humans

Plarchie, who had been necking bottle after bottle of Kraken Rum since we arrived, was a little worse for wear by then. Luckily Mr Mieville was polite enough not to remark on his dribbling, fake moustache and threatening to fight the whole room with eight of his tentacles tied behind his back. Phew.

Stitched Slake Moth - a drunken Plarchie and his mate China Mieville

A drunken Plarchie meets (and thankfully refrains from eating) China Mieville

 

A Splendid Steampunk Time was had by All

All in all the evening was a splendiferous steampunk affair. I can’t wait to find out who wins the 2012 Kitschies tentacle prizes. Maybe there’ll be more rum and Plarchie worship.

Here’s a final pic of some of the steampunk stars who helped make the evening so fantabulous.

Several of them, sadly, were eaten by Plarchie, like the puny human sushi that we know deep down we all are. My most humble apologies. Plarchie is one hungry crafty cephalopod.

Stitched Slake Moth - the Kitschies Steampunk Party guests

Puny human sushi, all of them

Just so you know who Plarchie may or may not have eaten (clockwise from top left): Frances Hardinge, Jonathan Green, China Mieville, Plarchie, Gary Northfield, Ms Deadly Knitshade, Philip Reeve, Catherine Hemelryk and Hayley Lock

HUGE thanks to Jared and Anne, and the folks at Blackwell’s Charing Cross for an amazing evening. Really sorry about the people eating… And releasing those moths… You really can’t invite me anywhere.

Whodunnknit Pix: My fave name badge from last night #kitschies Steampunk Party. @pornokitsch

Comments are closed.