Gandalf : The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit Design Development

The Gandalf™ design has been much requested by customers over the years. The Wizard, a pivotal character in both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, has left an enduring legacy on the fantasy genre. His humble demeanor, quick wit, and extraordinary powers, combined with his iconic hat and staff, have captivated readers for decades.

We faced a daunting task in designing this legendary figure. Should we silhouette him, capture him in a moment of repose, or immortalize his defiant stance? And can we justify the inclusion of a pipe on a baby wrap?!

We started by looking at tarot cards, specifically 'The Magician.' Their symbolic power, beautiful illustrations, and fusion of human, plant, and animal life inspired us to adopt a similar style for our design. They also hold a mystery and magic that connects well with Gandalf. We felt this would create a perfect way to bring everything together and 'hold' the pattern.

Imagery copyright to Arcane

There was a fair amount of playing about with which elements to include and how to lay them out. Here is the first very rough laying out to get some idea of where to go:

We decided that we wanted a more peaceful, pensive image of Gandalf and that the silhouette was a strong, recognisable image. 

The next step was to determine which iconic elements would be incorporated into the design.

We debated whether to include Shadowfax, but it didn't align with our overall design vision.

We debated whether a quote was necessary, as the image itself is so recognizable. However, given Gandalf's iconic status and the prevalence of his quotes, we ultimately decided to include one of his most famous lines.

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us".

(You may notice a small typo in the images, which was corrected after the first test weave!)

Other elements you can see included are the eagles, moths, the Flame of Anor and Gandalf's seal.

Framing the design are a mix of Celtic knotwork, stronger border elements and art nouveau style natural elements. Below are two flower-like options we considered and ultimately combined:

In the image, Gandalf proudly wields his staff, a symbol of his status as an Istari, or Wizard. This humble staff, once a gift from Radagast the Brown, is crafted from a twisted sapling and bears the marks of time and use. We appreciated its grounded and natural quality, which mirrors aspects of Gandalf's character. Additionally, we included his iconic pipe, a subtle nod to his sense of humor and appreciation for life's simple pleasures.

Initial test weave:

Final design woven featuring a new bamboo and Seacell blend on our Bright and Black warp: