Discover Scale Mail as Soft as a Sweater at GeekCraft Expo PDX
Crystal's Idyll creates some of most gorgeous—and wearable—scale mail we've seen yet, thanks to Crystal Taggart's revolutionary technique, which links together the scales with soft yarn instead of metal rings. You'll want to stop by her space at GeekCraft Expo PDX June 10 and 11 to see her gorgeous dice bags, gauntlets, hats, and more!
We talked with Crystal about how she developed her technique and what she's bringing to the show this year—read on!
GeekCraft Expo: We first met you when you exhibited at GeekCraft Expo Seattle last December. What was that experience like for you?
Crystal’s Idyll: GeekCraft Expo in Seattle was a pleasure to do. From the moment I drove up and helping hands were there with carts to haul my stock, to the moment other helping hands helped me load my displays (and my happily small amount of remaining stock) back in my truck, everything was well organized. The advertising beforehand was great and attendance was terrific for a first-year show.
GCE: You’ve talked before about your technique of knitting scale mail together—can you go in depth about how you created that process?
CI: Almost 10 years ago I bought a large batch of aluminum scales to make my husband a shirt by traditional chain mail techniques. I got about an inch of rings linked and realized that was never going to happen! But I couldn't waste all those scales. So I started experimenting. I had crocheted with beads in the past so I tried crocheting them, which worked but gave an inflexible fabric, so I played around some more and came up with my knitted technique. Boy, has it taken off!
GCE: What are some of the advantages to knitted scale mail over conventional mail connected with metal rings?
CI: My technique creates a fabric that is scaly on the outside, soft as a sweater on the inside. It is flexible and stretchy. It conforms beautifully to the body. And it is significantly lighter than traditional scale mail. There is one downside—you wouldn't want to wear it in combat.
GCE: What are your favorite pieces to make?
CI: I most love making hats. Any technique: sewn, knitted, blocked, it doesn't matter. I've knitted a few scale hats and if I'm lucky will have one for PDX GeekCraft Expo. Hats provide a real blank canvas that I can let my imagination run wild on.
GCE: What are your most popular items?
CI: My dice bags. They come in three standard sizes, and that allows me to offer prices that fit almost every budget.
GCE: What are your can’t-miss geeky TV shows and movies?
CI: I'm still crying that Firefly got cancelled. But for current shows I love Arrow and The Flash. There is a new one to debut this fall that looks really promising: The Orville. Our family motto comes from my husband's favorite movie (also one of my favorites) "Never give up, never surrender" from Galaxy Quest. My favorite all time movie is Princess Bride, but I'm also a huge Lord of the Rings fan and love original Star Wars. Avengers is the best of the Marvel movies, but I like most of them (Dr. Strange made me dizzy). I also enjoy Harry Potter (books and movies). And Hugh Jackman's portrayal solidified the love I've had for Wolverine since I was a kid watching the cartoon. If I had super powers I would be Wolverine.
GCE: What kinds of things will you be bringing to GeekCraft Expo PDX this year?
CI: I'll have a full array of Dragonhide knitted scale mail including gauntlets, dice bags, bras, and as I mentioned perhaps a hat/helmet/wig. In addition I have some great capes from fabulous fabrics and a very extraordinary selection of hats from moderately tame to completely out there.
Thank you to Crystal for answering all of our questions! Don't forget: RSVP for GeekCraft Expo PDX now, as well as our kickoff party June 9 at Bridge City Comics with prizes from Centerplate, Guardian Games, Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade, Espionage Cosmetics, and our awesome exhibitors!
