Skulls are pretty hot right now. Skulls everywhere you go. High art and popular culture are all using the skull as an emblem for the current times. I wonder what it really means, I know it looks cool and all, but what is underneath it all, why is the skull so incredibly popular right now?

The most common symbolic use of the skull is as a representation of death and mortality, it is afterall the bones of a dead person, but a human skull with its large eye sockets is visually appealing, and can fascinate even as it repels. The skull in literature and art is often used to communicate despair and ironic humor, and can symbolise both eternity and the ephemeral and changeable nature of life. (read more here).

This has made me think about the times we currently live in and how powerful a symbol the skull is and can be. Symbolising our fear and uncertainty but at the same time our humanity and hope.

I am not surprised that we crafters have taken to the skull like a duck to water , making things is itself a symbol of hope and adding to that even more symbolism just seems like a natural progression. Here are some of my favourite skull knitting patterns.

buccaneers booty socks [via] :: jackyll and hide at knitty :: domiknitrix skull pattern :: knitty yorick scarf :: helloyarn is skull crazy - I love the pirate beanie (and there are mittens to match) felted skull tote bag - most fabulous of all has to be the skull cable (see pic) :: theres a skull and crossbones dishcloth :: skull lace pattern :: skull illusion scarf is a classic :: I really really love these skull stockings (see pic) ::

This entry was posted on Monday, October 15th, 2007 at 7:12 pm and is filed under historic crafts, knitting+crochet+yarn. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site. Your comments will be moderated but will appear as soon as humanly possible.