Meet Alex Thompson, a knitting enthusiast whose passion began in 1999. He’s making waves online with his handcrafted sweaters that depict famous landmarks, which he proudly wears while visiting these locations. Recently, his delightful creations took social media by storm, captivating users with a sense of nostalgia and whimsy.
Thompson’s imaginative sweaters gained significant attention after being shared on Reddit, where they garnered thousands of likes and shares across various platforms. The Baltimore-based knitter is now receiving interview requests and fan mail from around the globe. However, this charming project has been years in the making.
“I picked up knitting in March 1999, starting with two solid-color sweaters crafted from a pattern,” Thompson shared with Mashable. The following year, he decided to push his limits and created his first pattern-free picture sweater. Since then, he has knitted an astounding 103 unique pieces showcasing breathtaking places, including the Great Wall of China and the Eiffel Tower.
“The two most recent sweaters I made are inspired by the Grand Canyon and the Golden Gate Bridge, which I visited during my trip last December,” Thompson explained. Each sweater is a labor of love, taking around a month to complete. “I’m continuously inspired by anything I see, whether it’s a stunning landscape or a unique cultural landmark,” he added.
While Thompson cherishes knitting, the idea of photographing himself in front of these iconic sites came later. “To date, I have captured images wearing 91 of my 103 sweaters at their respective landmarks. I aim to photograph all of them, although many will require international travel,” he noted.
Thompson’s inspiration doesn’t solely come from popular tourist attractions; he finds beauty in a variety of subjects, including animals, natural wonders, and even sports. He’s created sweaters for each Jewish holiday, including a Sukkot sweater followed by a Hanukkah design. “I make at least one for every holiday, and for the longer ones, I often create two or three,” he told Forward.
Currently, Thompson is working on two new projects: a sweater featuring the whimsical California Raisins, created for an upcoming themed dance, and another honoring civil rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr. “The Raisin sweater is for a dance party, and the MLK sweater is for the holiday,” he explained. We’re excited to see these wonderful creations!
Since his knitting endeavors have gone viral, Thompson receives numerous requests for custom designs. “I have fans from all over the world eager for my sweaters, but it takes me about a month to knit each one,” he remarked. “I can’t become a sweater factory!” While that may be true, it certainly sounds like a fun job.
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In summary, Alex Thompson’s unique approach to knitting and travel has captured the hearts of many, showcasing creativity and adventure. His ability to blend art with exploration is truly inspiring, and we can’t wait to see where his knitting journey takes him next.