Meet Plarchie: the giant plastic knitted squid

The arrival of Plarchie, the 8-metre giant knitted squid made entirely from plastic bags, came as something of a shock to me. One minute I was wandering the echoey rooms of London’s Natural History Museum pondering what knits might spring from my needles. The next thing I knew I was half-awake buried in a pile of crumpled plarn ends with my needles smoking in my clawlike hands. I had no idea what I’d been up to for the last three days of my life.

And then a cephalopods-shaped shadow fell over me and I turned slowly to meet the horror I had created…

The Giant Squid lurks at 1000 metres below sea level. Doesn't he?

Plarchie was big. He was bigger than big. He was giant. He was made entirely from Sainsbury’s carrier bags and rustled eerily as he walked. But, as his eyes were bulging from the sides of his colossal squid head and he looked out to the sides, he had no idea I was there. I scurried behind a fossil display and observed my handmade horror as he made himself at home.

He tried out a table...

...but found it too hard

He attempted a tentacled dangle. But found he had to hold on. It was a bit scary.

He tried a friendly lap and it was juuuuuuuuust right.

He looked so nice and relaxed. All squishy and slimy and supine. I took a deep breath and approached the ten-tentacled terror. After all I was his creator! Shouldn’t I be able to tame the crinkly beast?

Chillin' with Chuck D

Softly I approached, attempting the crooning melodious call of the sagacious squid whisperer as I neared him.

AAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE! HE SEES ME! RUN FOR THE HILLS!

I can confidently report there is nothing quite like being slapped in the face by an 8-metre giant plastic knitted squid to remind you stitched sea life are a dangerous breed.

Safe distance squid observation

The last I saw of him Plarchie was headed for Heathrow Airport, his tentacles wrapped firmly around the panic-striken driver of a black taxi cab. Heaven knows what will happen as another of my uncontrolled knits is released upon the world. What calamari catastrophes will he bring about?

I suspect this is not the last I will see of the magnificent mollusc. I pray I see him before he sees me…

________________________________________________________________________________________

Want to make a woolly mini Squid of your own? Buy the Finger-fighting Stitched Squid knitting pattern

See more Stitched Sealife Escapees over at Knit the City’s: Yarnstorm the Eleventh: Stitched SealifeΒ Escapees

On Ravelry? Visit Plarchie’s project page.

Stalking Neil Gaiman? The fabulous Mr Gaiman tweeted Plarchie on February 19. Plarchie now demands his own trailer. Sigh.

39 thoughts on “Meet Plarchie: the giant plastic knitted squid

  1. Howie Woo

    You made Plarchie out of plarn, but filled it with wonder & whimsy πŸ™‚ Congratulations on your creation and the hilarious photos! Long live seafood!!

  2. Jessamy

    Plarchie Teuthis is astounding. Your fearlessness in bringing him into the world is even more impressive! I only wish I could make one in the States, but our plarn (I like this word!) is usually a dull tan color or a lifeless white. Nothing that would do for a Plarchie.

      1. Kate a.k.a. Knitapotamus

        Just checked out your Valentine’s efforts – fabulous! Especially loved Eros’ string of hearts!
        Yup, it’s me with the caterpillar root graffiti! I’m just a baby beginner on the yarnstorm/knit graffiti front though – only started 2 weeks ago, and have only hit the local hospital so far!! Plan to spread my wings a little further though πŸ˜‰

  3. Jen Voyce

    Somewhere floating about in the Pacific is a giant mass of waste plastic. I believe Plarchie has gone to tackle this mess in super squid style. I love him, wish I could have met him! Maybe one day he will return….

  4. Jasmin

    I <3 IT!
    As I saw your squid the first time wraping his arms around Charles Darwin, it took me 2 times to see that someone KNITTED it! Unbelieveable! But your book showed me a lot more fascinating things to see AND to imitate! Germany so far has absolutely been neglected with those knitted works of art! I try to change it NOW! :-)))

  5. Pingback: Grafitti tejido: Un suΓ©ter rosa para Rocky y otras bombas de lana - diarioartesanal