Crocheted Pixels

If you have any questions or queries about my crocheting, drop me a line - and check out the FAQ below.

Why are you crocheting graphics from these old games?

As a tribute! These old school arcade, computer and video games constitute a unique era in our shared cultural history. The emergence of the first arcade games in the late 1970's paved the way for our contemporary world, not only specifically in terms of digital entertainment but as the first friendly and playful interaction between humans and their machines on a more cognitive level. But perhaps more because the graphics in these old vintage games are just fantastically beautiful and totally deserves to be recognized as the pieces of art that their original game designers made them.

Did you do the graphical designs?

With the exception of a kitten or two: absolutely not. Full credit goes to the specific game designers and the companies they work(ed) at when creating the original pixel art. Check the images for details about the specific games, release years and companies that released these games. All I did was to crochet these historical pixels.

What crocheting technique do you typically use?

I typically use the most rudimentary of stitches: the single crochet stitch! I do, however, combine this with an embedded threading technique where I carry along multiple threads of different colors. Fairly easy once you get the hang of it. My pieces typically need a bit of thread anchoring and haircuts at the end though.

What hooks and yarn sizes do you use?

My favorite one is an old steel hook from the USA. It broke once so I fixed it with LOTS of sticky tape that is typically used by electricians. This means that I don't really know how thick it is, but I would guess 1.5-2 mm. For yarn, I have previously mostly used a cotton/acrylic blend (50 gram/150 meters) that are actually meant for 3mm hooks (3.5 mm knitting hooks). But I am gradually switching to 100% ecological cotton yarn.

Do you work as a crocheter?

No, just a hobby. I work as an assistant professor in analytical sociology at Linköping university, Sweden.

Can you crochet something from Grand Theft Auto 5 or World of Warcraft?

Sure, but it would likely take a couple of months. Old school games were restricted by screen resolutions that were only a fraction of today's games - which in many ways make these vintage sprites far more artistic than their contemporary versions.

Are you on Instagram?

Yes.

You had an exhibition in Budapest?

I worked as a postdoc researcher at Central European University in Budapest for a couple of years, and while there I got the honor to exhibit my stuff at the Printa gallery. Here is a funny video where I jabber about games, sampling and crocheting.

Is there any way I could get hold of one of these pieces?

There might actually be! I am happy to give pieces to random people that I like, and I do like people that make reasonably substantial donations to certain environmental NGO:s working with reforestation and climate change mitigation. Send me a mail!