The Register®

Original URL: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/07/22/knit_one_heil_one/

Who do you think you are, knitting Mr Hitler?

Crocheted Fuhrer bothers woolly thinkers

By Sarah Bee

Posted in Bootnotes, 22nd July 2008 11:45 GMT

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There's no easy way to lead into this so we'll just come right out with it - according to The Sun one can now obtain knitting patterns to create one's very own cuddly Hitler.

Everyone's favourite inflammatory informo-rag has a lovely picture of the "grotesque" yarn-based Fuhrer [1], who looks snug and stylish in his army-green cardi. In fact, the 20th century's most hated figure looks a little on the camp side in this incarnation, with distinctly curvy hips and a slightly floppy Nazi salute. (We find him kind of adorable, actually. Is that so wrong?)

The Sun insists that the dictator pattern, together with instructions for making a snuggly Saddam and a plush Pol Pot, is included in the new book of guerrilla-knitstress Rachael Matthews. Sadly there's no mention of 'Knitler' on her Cast Off [2] knitting group site, nor on her Prick Your Finger [3] blog or main site [4] for her shop in London's Bethnal Green. However, there are plenty other naughty knitty kits to be found in her shop [5] including cigarettes, a grenade and um, woolly willies.

A spokesman for the Jewish Network is quoted in The Sun as saying, rather mildly: “You would hope people would have more sense than to take a cuddly Hitler into work.” Well, you would.

Matthews' existing book Hookerama (step away from the quip, please) includes patterns for flip-top mittens and a daisy fascinator as well as a fig-leaf bikini, but no historical hate figures. We'll keep you posted.

Knitlergate is the latest controversy to hit knitting, following the shocking Doctor Who Adipose scandal [6]. ®

Bootnote

If you're thinking about invoking the tedious IT-angle quibble, you can put a sock in it [7].