THE WINNERS OF
What would Alice knit?
Alice seems to have really caught your imagination - we had a lot of excellent entries, and in many cases particularly long and creative stories. The original is one of my very favourite books, so judging - while very difficult - was a real treat! The overall winners were chosen because their designs both reflected the spirit of Wonderland and made me instantly think "ooh, I want to make that!"
Winner: Wonderland Knits
By Emilie Dingler-Meek
Not contenting herself with one idea, Emilie submitted a whole catalogue of designs. The asymmetrical coat is high fashion (and very wearable), but the slithey toves just had me giggling out loud. I can't wait till we get the patterns for this lot ready.
Click here to view the full entry.
Winner: Illusion socks
By Alice Bell
Illusion knitting is clearly a technique perfectly suited to Alice's surreal world; not one, but two entrants used it in their designs. Alice's socks just pulled ahead in the judging thanks to the magic of the story and the elegant curl of the cat's tail. I guess I'm a sucker for a fancy feline...
Click here to view the full entry.
Click here to download the pattern!
Runner up: Illusion scarf
By Ellen Boucher
The second illusion knitter in the pack, Ellen imagines a modern-day Alice knitting her memories into a scarf, to keep them close to her... but still secret.
Click here to view the full entry.
Runner up: Cheshire Cat stole
By Carrie Griffin
Did I mention I'm a sucker for cats? In this case, it's present only as the merest suggestion - as Carrie explains, the lace pattern waves back and forth like a cat's tail. I loved her story (very in-character), and the stole is an absolute must-knit for lace fans.
Click here to view the full entry.
Click here to download the pattern!
Runner up: A Wasp in a Wig!
By Mel Howes
Bonus points to Mel for reminding me of the missing chapter from Through the Looking Glass, and spotting the obvious knitting opportunity. Her entry was beautifully presented and tons of fun to look through, and fondle the swatches.
Click here to view the full entry.
Runner up: Alice's sleeves
By Gabrielle O'Leary
Another incredibly presented entry, this came in the form of a design notebook/journal describing Alice's experiments in knitting a pair of sleeves; just sleeves! A beautiful tour of 19th-century fashions with some tantalising design possibilities.
Click here to view the full entry.
Honorable mentions go too to:
Yarn Monkey, who suggested a really cute amigurumi doll of Alice's cat Dinah
Crystal Baer, whose fair isle gloves would be just the thing to soothe the Queen of Hearts' savage breast
Click here to download the gloves pattern!
