Conversation with Smaug

Conversation with Smaug is part of the Dwarven Collection

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Conversation with Smaug (CwS for short) is an oversized cowl knit in the round. It is inspired by the Hobbit and more precisely an illustration J.R.R. Tolkien made for the book.

Conversation with Smaug by J.R.R. Tolkien

It is made using modified brioche stitches that create a scale-like pattern (without having to do stranded colorwork – only stripes). The pattern is also reversible : the ‘wrong side’ looks like a woven, almost polka dot fabric.

Conversation with Smaug - Right Side

Conversation with Smaug - Wrong Side

CwS can be worn thrown on your shoulders like a shawl – with or without a shawl pin for two different looks – or wrapped twice around your neck – the fit will be snug enough that it’ll keep the cold & wind out.

From both of these points you can pull a fold of fabric from CwS and turn it into a sizable hood.

Color choice:
If you want to stay faithful to the spirit of the Hobbit, where Tolkien describes Smaug as “a vast red-golden dragon”, then pick a combination of red and yellow. The cowl in the pictures was made using Malabrigo Worsted in 096 Sunset and 41 Burgundy.
 Sunset is a rich orangey yellow and Burgundy is a dark red - it looks a lot like oxblood to me, actually.

Sunset matches Tolkien's illustration and Burgundy actually matches the tips of Smaug's wings on the cover of my old copy of the Hobbit (French pocket edition).

Now, if you were to stay true to only Tolkien's illustration, I believe Ravelry Red and Franck Ochre would be a nice, very bright pairing - maybe more 'fairytale-like'?

Or you could go for Peter Jackson's vision, if you like more muted colors.

A rich grey (Pearl Ten), brown (Black Forest) or reddish brown (Marron Oscuro) would be nice paired with light grey (Pearl), light yellow (Fluo) or off-white (Natural).

If red and yellow are not your colors, you could also show your love for another franchise and make your own Drogon/Rhaegal/Viserion themed cowl.

Or, well, serpents have scales too so… How about some green and silver for the cunning ones?

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Conversation with Smaug is part of the Dwarven Collection