If you’re needled about not being invited to the royal wedding, don’t despair – for now you can knit yourself there.
Among the wealth of tea towels, printed plates and specially forged coins, this unusual souvenir kit has emerged, featuring knitting patterns for ten ‘characters’ from William and Kate’s nuptials.
These include the bride and groom, the Queen and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. And, of course, the corgis.
Woolly Windsors: Prince Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles, Prince Harry, William and Kate, the Queen, Prince Philip and the corgis give a balcony wave
Plus, with extra patterns provided for ‘guests’, patriotic needleworkers can knit themselves into the April 29 party.
The designs are in a £9.99 book by Fiona Goble – whose previous efforts include Knitivity, a make-your-own nativity handbook – but the wool to create the whole set will cost around £80.
Other ‘characters’ include Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles and Prince Harry and each takes around five hours to make – if you know what you’re doing.
Knitted nuptials: Archbishop Rowan Williams marries William and Kate, watched by the Queen, Prince Philip, Camilla, Prince Charles and Prince Harry
Amateurs are warned that the designs’ intricate details – such as Kate’s diamante engagement ring and the jewels on her slippers – may cause them to drop a few stitches.
All the characters’ uniforms have been carefully researched and they are perfectly in height proportion, but the author did have to take a gamble on the bride’s dress – as no one yet knows what Kate’s gown will look like.
Mrs Goble said the bride-to-be’s features were the most difficult to imitate.
‘Kate was the hardest for me to create because she is pretty,’ she said. ‘They’re not supposed to be caricatures. Some of the others have more obvious features.
‘Harry was the easiest – he has small eyes and a long face. And Rowan Williams because he has very distinctive wild hair and glasses.’
Stitched together for life: The royal bride and groom ... and the real royals as seen in Belfast earlier this week
Intricate: Mrs Goble said the corgis are tough because of their 'tiny legs' ... while Harry was the easiest
If you’re a novice knitter the easiest character to make is Harry, she advises – but the corgis are tough because of their ‘tiny legs’.
And although Mrs Goble acknowledges the wool is expensive, she says sourcing it in charity shops is half the fun.
‘If you have to scavenge for it, you get much more into the make-do-and-mend spirit of the project,’ she said.
Souvenir-makers launched into action immediately after the announcement of the engagement, mindful that memorabilia of the 1981 Royal nuptials remain highly sought by collectors.
Detailed: Archbishop Rowan Williams is depicted with his 'distinctive wild hair and glasses'; while the Queen is shown in a pale blue ensemble, complete with pearls
Experts estimated the wedding could boost the struggling British economy by £620million through sales of merchandise and tourism.
For those eschewing more traditional souvenirs, in the wake of the announcement, shoppers on TV channel QVC could choose a similar design to Kate's diamond and sapphire engagement ring - but for an eminently more affordable price tag, of under £35.
Knit Your Own Royal Wedding costs £9.99. To order a copy for £8.99 (p&p free) call 0845 155 0720 or see www.ivypress.co.uk
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