There are few things I love more than household items that have the capacity to arouse confusion and discomfort in unsuspecting guests (taxidermy animals and memorial pet portraits, anyone?). Which is why the bizarre intergalactic creatures of MadKnits bring me immense joy. Born from the creative mind and talented hand of Kaitlin Juarez, these fabric monsters hail from Providence, RI. They are hand-stitched, one-of-a-kind, and expertly detailed. MadKnits are the first of a series of spotlight features looking at the amazing vendors of the BUST Magazine Craftacular at World Maker Faire.
They’re a little bit Ahh! Real Monsters and a little bit Lord of The Rings (amiright?).
I can’t get enough of the juxtaposition of a form that conjures memories of childhood and an aesthetic that would inspire nightmares in young children. On the arbitrary spectrum of animated monsters, with creepiness factors ranging from Teletubbies and Furbies on one end and Gremlins and The Thing on the other, I’d put the MadKnit monsters about half-way through. While they’re free of slime, scales, and claws, and are generally pretty adorable, Juarez perfects her monsters’ dead stare, giving them the perfect dose of evil. Yes, both bloodlust and pathos can be communicated with felt. Just LOOK at those eyes:
Monsters in tow, Juarez will be setting up shop at the BUST Magazine Craftacular at World Maker Faire NY. You can get your hands on some delightfully creepy new friends on September 21st and 22nd at the New York Hall of Science in Queens. Be sure to buy your tickets in advance!
They’re set to be staring down visitors from my sofa STAT.
