What is it about food?

We've explored this topic some in previous posts here and here. The topic reappears in the knitting news.

Knotted Pumpkin Pie by Ed Bing Lee seems appropriate for early autumn.

These examples by Ed Bing Lee are knotted (more like macrame) than knitted, but still interesting and inspiring.

Or you could check out this book from Japan:

More amazing pictures from this book can be found on Fleegle's blog here.
Even more photographs of knitted, crocheted, and knotted food can be found here, including a crocheted lobster, fruits and vegetables, and many baked goods.

What is it that we so love about using yarn and craft skills to depict food we can't eat? It seems that in the late 20th/early 21st century United States we've developed quite a tradition of enticing depictions of food in photography, television, print, and even decorative arts. It seems that not only is there "food porn" but there is even a sub-genre of "food craft porn."

Of course, one of my all-time favorites is this witty concoction by Debbie New that turns the problem on its head:These are actual licorice laces knitted as if they were yarn. [See Elaine Rowley, editor Socks, Socks, Socks (Sioux Falls SD: XRX, Inc. 1999) p. 95.] Knitting you can eat, instead of food you can't eat.

Thank you to this quarter's TKGA newsletter and Linda F. for the links.