Urania Sloanus, rendered in wool

July 6, 2017 6:32 AM

Incredible Knitted Moths Could Go in a Natural History Museum. Max Alexander turns Shetland wool into scientifically accurate depictions of various moth species. "It's pretty funny to knit moths from a material that they're known to eat..." she says. You can see more photos of her amazing work on her website and Instagram.
posted by web-goddess (13 comments total)

As a knitter, I don't even want to contemplate weaving in all those ends. It's amazing. I wonder if the back just looks messy?
posted by web-goddess at 6:32 AM on July 6, 2017 [5 favorites]

Oooooooh!!!
posted by The Toad at 6:41 AM on July 6, 2017

fantastic!
posted by dhruva at 6:42 AM on July 6, 2017

Cooool! Reminds me of the butterfly sweater/cape project idea I'm thinking out right now.
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:27 AM on July 6, 2017 [1 favorite]

These are spectacular!
posted by rtha at 8:11 AM on July 6, 2017

These are absolutely beautiful! But yes, I too shuddered at the thought of weaving in all those ends.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 8:12 AM on July 6, 2017 [1 favorite]

I looked this up one time as my sister was killing any moth she'd see on the grounds that 'they eat your sweaters'. There are only a couple species that eat wool (it's the caterpillar stage that does it) and they shun light and are very secretive and rarely seen. Most moths are innocent!
posted by Bee'sWing at 8:20 AM on July 6, 2017 [1 favorite]

"So what do you do for fun?"

"I knit moths."
posted by The otter lady at 12:03 PM on July 6, 2017 [1 favorite]

so amazing! subscribing via instagram
posted by dreamling at 12:25 PM on July 6, 2017

Whoa.
posted by cellar door at 6:12 PM on July 6, 2017

Very cool. From looking through her website at her non-moth knitting projects, I see she has an interesting sense of humor. I think my favorite is the knitting, top hat-wearing octopus.
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 2:51 AM on July 7, 2017 [1 favorite]

And the axolotl.

I ordered the pink moth necklace for myself, even though I really hate ordering things internationally. But it's so pretty!
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:08 AM on July 7, 2017

Neat.
posted by jacquilynne at 6:55 PM on July 7, 2017