Steampunk fans will be well aware that China Mieville, winner of last year's Arthur C Clarke Award, is considered one of the kings of the steampunk scene.
In the past he could be tenuously connected to craft by various steampunk cosplay tributes and characters such as the tailor with a pin-cushion head in the brilliant Un Lun Dun.
Lucky for crafty steampunk fans the world of Mr Mieville just got yarned up by the mysterious Deadly Knitshade over at Whodunnknit.
Ms Knitshade has created a free Stitched Slake Moth knitting pattern, to enable you and other mere mortals to create the dream-munching mischief-makers from Mieville's Perdido Street Station and wreck woolly havoc on the world.
Above: The original Stitched Slake Moth poses hungrily for the camera
If you're still not sure it's worth stitching check out the full story over at Whodunnknit which shows Mr M himself adopting the very first Stitched Slake Moth at last week's Kitschies Steampunk Party. What better celebrity endorsement for a knitting pattern than the creator of the character it's based on, no?
For the full pattern check out Whodunnknit (which also features pictures of Mr M with the infamous Plarchie, the giant knitted squid). You can also win one of the five original Stitched Slake Moths over at Pornokitsch.
Right: China Miéville hangs with Plarchie the knitted squid and a bottle of Kraken rum
Just remember to keep your Stitched Slake Moth caged at all times once you create it. Who knows what handmade horror will be unleashed if you don't.
[Images © Lauren O'Farrell]
