by

The Obey Giant sticker campaign was started by Shepard Fairey in the mid-'90s while he was attending the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). What started as a simple silk-screening lesson has grown over the years into a massive phenomenology experiment whose aim is to enable people to observe and examine something that is right in front of them yet in some way obscured. For more information on the campaign, check out obeygiant.com.

When I first met my boyfriend, we got to talking about art and the Obey Giant project. I recognized the image, but didn't know anything about it. After learning about the campaign, I began seeing it everywhere -- on shirts, mailboxes, and street signs. So last fall, I decided to add a new medium to the campaign by knitting an Andre the Giant inspired scarf for my boyfriend's birthday. I thought the graphic, high-contrast nature of the image would translate well into intarsia. The only problem is that he loves it so much he's afraid to wear it on a regular basis.

model: Chris Macri photos: Rebecca Lesiak

MATERIALS

Lion Brand Wool-Ease [80% acrylic, 20% wool; 197yd/180m per 85g skein]
[MC] Color: Black; 5 skeins
[CC] Color: Red; 2 skeins

1 16-inch US #5/3.75mm circular needle
Stitch marker
Tapestry needle

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations can be found here]

This scarf is first knit back and forth while working the face using the intarsia technique, then switches to the round for the plain black mid-section and the word "OBEY" at the other end. "OBEY" is worked using the Fair Isle (stranded) technique, since most of the floats are quite short. I recommend weaving in the ends as you go along, so your finishing doesn't seem quite so daunting at the end. I used Lion Brand Wool-ease because it's cheap and washable, but if you want to class it up a little you can substitute any worsted-weight wool or wool blend.

It's knit in the round, so the double layer of fabric both hides the ugly backside of intarsia, and keeps your boy extra warm.

Weave in ends.
Using mattress stitch, sew side of scarf closed beside intarsia section.
Sew ends of scarf closed.
Lay scarf flat and steam block.