Tolkien's Fantasy Characters in Knitted Form

Amigurumi, which is the Japanese craft of crocheting characters and creatures, is one of the main reasons why I want to master crochet. I often think, "Once I learn how to really crochet, I'll take up knitting as well." The knitted J.R.R. Tolkien characters that Denise Salway has expertly made are a definite inspiration.
 

Denise Salway, standing behind her Tolkien-inspired creations.
Photo via http://thehobbitmovienews.blogspot.com

Salway, a 50-year-old who lives in Wales, took up knitting early in life. However, she abandoned the craft when she was in her teens, according to the Hobbit Movie News website. Yet last year, she picked up her knitting needles once more to make guest favors for her daughter Lisa's wedding. "So impressed were some male members of the wedding party that Denise, who lives in Penyfai, was asked to knit special socks to go with their traditional kilted outfits," reported the Hobbit Movie News. "From there she was convinced to have a go at kitting some of the characters from The Hobbit, and she hasn't looked back since."

Amazingly working without a pattern, Salway has knitted many residents of Middle Earth, among them Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Dwalin, Bombur, Fili, Kili, and Balin. She has even made the dragon Smaug. "I quite like a challenge," Salway revealed to the Hobbit Movie News. "Some of them take a long time. Smaug was over a month to do. Figures take a day or a day and a half."
 

A token of appreciation from actor Graham McTavish next to the knitted version of his character, Dwalin.
Photo via http://uk.movies.yahoo.com

Her highly detailed woolen models of dwarfs, dragons, and wizards are garnering Salway attention worldwide. They are even attracting notice from the actors who portrayed the characters in Peter Jackson's films. John Callen, the actor who played Óin in The Hobbit trilogy, posed for pictures while holding Salway's knitted version of his character. Scottish actor Graham McTavish, who played the dwarf Dwalin in the trilogy, gave Salway an autographed photo for her creative efforts.

Talking about her Tolkien-inspired creations, Denise Salway said, "They make people smile, and that gives me pleasure."

To see more of the J.R.R. Tolkien characters that Salway has knitted, go HERE and HERE. If you wish to follow her on Twitter, you can do so @KnittingWitchUK. You can also admire her "magical knit craft" on Flickr at THIS LINK.