Forests of Arda Cowl: A Journey Through Tolkien’s World

Originally published on March 3, 2024

How Tolkien Inspires Creativity in Knitting

It's fascinating how Tolkien's works inspire creativity in various forms! Knit designer Melanie Rountree often draws inspiration from literature, including Tolkien's legendarium, to create unique and beautiful pieces, such as the Edoras or the Ithilien. 

Exploring the Forests of Arda

Let's talk a bit about the forests of Arda: The forests of Arda are a significant aspect of J.R.R. Tolkien's fictional world, particularly in his legendarium encompassing “The Silmarillion,” “The Hobbit,” and “The Lord of the Rings.” Arda is the name of the Earth in Tolkien's mythology, and it includes various forests, each with its own history, inhabitants, and significance. 

One of the most notable forests in Arda is Greenwood the Great, later known as Mirkwood. This forest lies east of the Misty Mountains and is featured prominently in “The Hobbit.” It's a dark and foreboding place, filled with spiders, elves, and other creatures. It becomes a dangerous obstacle for Bilbo Baggins and the company of dwarves on their quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain. 

Another significant forest is Lothlórien, also known as the Golden Wood. It's located to the east of the Misty Mountains and is inhabited by the Galadhrim, a community of Elves led by Celeborn and Galadriel. Lothlórien is a place of great beauty and magic, and it serves as a sanctuary for the Fellowship of the Ring during their journey southward. 

Fangorn Forest is yet another notable woodland in Arda, located to the south-east of the Misty Mountains. It is inhabited by the Ents, ancient tree-like beings who are the guardians of the forest. Fangorn plays a crucial role in “The Lord of the Rings” when the Ents decide to march to war against Saruman and his forces. 

These forests, along with others mentioned in Tolkien's works, contribute to the rich and immersive world of Arda, each with its own unique characteristics and significance to the stories told within Middle-earth.

Tackling the Forests of Arda Cowl

When I received an email for the test knit of this stunning cowl, I had mixed feelings. On one hand, I loved the design, but on the other, I was afraid that my skill level would not be good enough to knit this Forests of Arda Cowl.

This was the first time I had knitted color work with cable knitting, and I was a bit afraid that my tension would be too tight. But it worked out really well; the pattern is well-written, and Melanie adds a chart as well as written instructions. For the difficult parts, there are videos which guide you through. 

Customizing My Cowls with Drops Nepal

I knitted both of my cowls with Drops Nepal. For size one, I used pink for the trees and a white background, inspired by my love for cherry blossom trees. The second one is size two, and I made it with four different background colors. I knitted each color change with three strands of yarn. The idea was to blend the two background colors better into each other. It was challenging, but also a lot of fun.

In the end, my journey with Melanie Rountree's pattern Forests of Arda Cowl has been transformative, challenging and inspiring me, reminding me of the boundless power of creativity to shape our world and perception. As I gaze upon my finished creation, I feel wonder at the endless possibilities ahead, waiting to be knit into existence with just yarn, needles, and creativity.

Until then, happy knitting!

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