Norwegian Black Metal

Our latest amigurumi is a Norwegian black metal guy.  Norwegian black metal is a music movement.  Its artists wear corpse paint.  They have bullet belts, spiked gauntlets, combat boots, and inverted pentagrams to show their anti-religious stance.  I've included all of those things on this guy.  I also gave him a little flying v guitar so that he can play you a song before he burns down your church.

 
His bullet belt is made out of silver beads strung together with yarn.  His arm spikes are #12 cut tacks I spray painted silver.  His pentagram was sold to me as a pentacle earring by a nice Wiccan named Stacey.

Some of the photos I used as inspiration for this amigurumi were taken by the wonderfully talented photographer Peter Beste.  You can see some Peter's stunning photos of the black metal scene here and you can buy his beautiful book "True Norwegian Black Metal" here.

One of the hardest parts of this project was making the flying v guitar.  I've never played a guitar (Mike's the musician) so I had no idea how big guitars are.  My first ones were way too small.  Mike had to print out a bunch of photos from the internet of people playing a flying v so that I could get an idea of the relative scale of man vs guitar.

 
 After several attempts I got one that I liked.

The body and neck are crocheted but the pickguard is made from gray wool felt.  The volume knobs are silver studs meant to be used for "bedazzling."   The tuners are silver beads, and the frets are made with embroidery floss. 

We photographed our black metal guy today at Green-wood cemetery in Brooklyn.  It's a beautiful place.  You should go.

As always, Mike took care of the photography.  Here are a few of his fabulous, fabulous shots.

 

 

 

UPDATE:  Chuck and Shove over at Doomed to Live just posted some great homemade videos of black metal silliness.  These crack me up.  Shove also made an adorable little black metal amigurumi of her own!

Comments

[Jessica]

I want one of these guys! Im not into the whole Norwegian scene. But I do like how you have a pic of James Hetfield there with others for your guitar inspiration.

[Naomi]

you rock my amigurumi world!

[Kara]

Thanks so much Jessica and Naomi!

[Sjusovaren]

Holy crap, I want one badly! It would make an awesome amp-mascot (mascot you put on top of a guitar amp for good luck)! :)

[Tatumalanar]

Where could I get a tutorial for this? My husband wants one so very very badly!

[Kara]

I'm working now on getting my patterns together and I'm looking for a publisher. Hopefully I'll find one soon and get these patterns out to the world so that you can make your husband his own black metal amigurumi! Thanks for your feedback! Kara

[Kara]

Yes I can seem him as an amp-mascot! Glad you like him and thanks for the comment Sjusovaren.

[Howie Woo]

I am thrashing my long hair forward&backward in celebration of your awesome hard-metal creation! *ROCK ON!*

[Ladydragonflyaj]

This is AMAZING. I can't wait until you find someone to publish your patterns. Your work is fantastic.

[Kara]

Thanks so much Howie. If you did have long hair I'm sure it would have orange streaks instead of white. I can picture the heavy metal Howie!!!

[Kara]

Thanks Ladydragonflyaj. I'll keep you posted on my pattern-publishing-progress. Kara

[shannon]

I'm a knitwear designer and garment knitter, and I'm not usually into amigurumi beyond "oh, isn't that cute!" but this guy is awesome. It may just be me, but black metal is in the zeitgest right now.

[Kara]

Thanks Shannon, and thank you for putting a photo and a link on your BEAUTIFUL blog. http://www.yarneteria.com/

Take care. Kara

[zixl]

OMG, this is awesome, i hope my sis is coming to see this work of art

[Grimkitten]

...I have never loved a material object as much as this.

[Kara]

Thanks zixi and Grimkitten for your nice comments!! xo Kara

[Laia]

Hi!!

I like your Norwegian black metal guy very much!!!

I'm learning to do amigurumis and I am fascinated with your guitar!!! I love heavy metal a lot and I would like to learn to make only your kind of guitar.

Could you send me the guitar's pattern???? Please!!!!!!Please!!!

Thank you very much!!!

I'm waiting your answer!!

P.S: Sorry for bad English, I'm a Spanish girl and I'm learning English.

[Kara]

Hi Laia. I'm working on getting a pattern book proposal together so that I can publish my patterns. I will make sure to include the guitar for you. I'll let you know when the pattern book is available. Take care and thanks for your nice comments! Kara

[Akasha001]

hOLA:

ME ENCANTA EL BLACK METAL & LOS AMIGURUMIS!!!
SU TRABAJO ES FABULOSO Y A PARTIR DE HOY SOY SU FAN.

FELICIDADES!!!!
:)

[Kara]

Muchas gracias Akasha001!!!!

[John C]

That is just awesome - excellent work! I *really* want one!

[Kara]

Thanks John!! :-)

[Anna]

Es fantástico, me encanta. ¿Tienes el patrón? Me encantaría poder hacerlo yo misma. Gracias y enhorabuena.

[MCD]

So incredibly cute!

[Phil Cosgrave]

Wow! I am impress by the creativity! Worth a million dollars!

[Kara]

Aw, thanks Anna, MCD and Phil!!!
xxoo Kara

[Nicolamarsden0204]

Hi. Could you make one of these for me please/ I LOVE this. I can't really crochet myself, and I don't really have spare time, but I really do love this.

[Kara]

Hi Nicola. My answer is maybe!! I've gotten so many requests for this particular doll that I have been thinking of crocheting a limited run of him (maybe 50 tops) and selling the dolls. It might be a few months before I have dolls ready to sell but I'll keep you posted. Thanks for your interest Nicola. Kara

[Elin Sweden]

Hi.
Have you made a patternbook yet? I would really really want this pattern :) You're not interested to sell it at a place like etsy.com? As a pdf-file? I think you'd get lots and lots of sales.. I would be first in line for this awsome doll!
Please email me if you have pattern for sale: truckerelin at gmail dot com

[Kara]

THanks so much Elin! I am considering putting the individual patterns up for sale and I will keep you posted. Kara

[mandiemclaughlan]

please were cani get this pattern from my little boy would love it

[Kara]

Thanks so much Anna, MCD and Phil!!! You are too kind.

[Kara]

Hi Mandie. I haven't released this pattern - yet. But will be releasing it in the future. I will let you know when it is available. That's nice that you'd like to make it for your little boy. Take care. Kara

[Marina]

què lastima que no tenés el patrón! :(

[steph]

Has the pattern been released yet? I'd love to make this!!

[Amy rainbow Robinson]

Hi, my friend has found this guy and would love me to make him. Where can I find the pattern??
Amazing work xx

[Cindy]

I would love to buy this pattern when it's available. I hope that's still a possibility.