Unicorn in Captivity

Dimensions: 24" x 36"
Materials: #3-cut wool on burlap
Designed by Pearl McGown and hooked by Peggy Hannum, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 2002.
Featured in: Celebration XIII

"Unicorn was at least 10 years in the making. Like many other projects, it was relegated to 'the great unfinished' stash, started and put aside. I had made a trip to New York City to see the original, only to find the Cloisters at the MET closed for renovations, so I purchased a poster to use in dyeing my colors and hooked the unicorn and part of the fence. Other exciting projects shelved the Unicorn. My husband and my greatest fan, admired what I was completing but invariably commented: 'When are you going to finish the Unicorn?' I finally got to it again, did more research, only to discover that the drops of "blood" on my unicorn were actually juice from a pomegranate tree.  I had to 'rethink' my oranges for starters. Also, I ran out of fence wool and my redyeing was too bright. I dipped some in my tea--perfect! The 'mille fleurs' became addictive. I finished it as a gift to Bob for our 50th wedding anniversary. On a recent trip to the Cloisters, I held my breath hoping my colors, especially the blue background were good. They matched perfectly!"
- Peggy Hannum, Celebration Hall of Fame 2018