Thursday, July 26, 2007
HSS2: Spells for Mini Wands - Stitch Markers
A student asked if I could share my incantation for Stitch Marking Wands (stitch markers). So for the benefit of those new to mini wand incantations... Muffliato!
This was fun to do and probably takes longer to explain than to do. I searched Hogwart's library and found an incantation similar to what I used. http://www.sheepinthecity.prettyposies.com/archives/000201.html
Other variations on the incantation are listed below... I did not wrap the pin tail around the marker neck since I used a thicker 2" head pin.http://knittgeek.blogspot.com/2005/07/guide-to-stitch-markers.html
http://www.wormspit.com/stitchmarkers.htm
http://cjsachiko.blogspot.com/2005/03/stitch-markers-la-cee-jay.html
Ingredients found at a tiny (craft) store at Diagon Alley that sold rainbow beads, dragon tears, ocean spray, elf made rings and silver moonlight head pins.
Choosing the ingredients is such a subjective thing.
Here is how I went about it. I conjured the wands like a story with a headline, a subhead and body of text. One 1/4 inch large bead would be the 'headline' focal point. Medium 'subhead' beads about 1/8 inch would give added color and texture. And the body is made up of small neutral color seed beads (helps the colors on medium and large beads stand out more.) (Make sure the seed beads have holes large enough to go on the head pins.) I chose to place one large focal point towards the bottom to visually anchor the wand. The rest, I folded a piece of white paper in half, and put beads on the inside fold to play with combinations of size and sequence until I liked what I saw and then placed them on the head pin.
Note: Longer markers with thick glass beads may end up being heavy. So shorter markers may be more user friendly to a sock knitter. I just happen to like the length to look like a wand. So my markers may be a bit heavier. Certainly the one with the largest bead on it.
Try it and have fun.
Labels: HSS2, stitch markers
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
HSS2: A Successful Spell!
I was notified by owl post that I've been paired up with Lily Ravenclaw.
I'm having fun running around the muggle net hunting up the proper ingredients for my yarn making potion. In the meantime I conjured up these stitch marking wands for Lily. After numerous wrong incantations. It finally worked!
For those of you who are NOT Lily Ravenclaw. Please say 'revealo' and tap the picture with your wand to see.
Sally-Anne Clearwater
I'm having fun running around the muggle net hunting up the proper ingredients for my yarn making potion. In the meantime I conjured up these stitch marking wands for Lily. After numerous wrong incantations. It finally worked!
For those of you who are NOT Lily Ravenclaw. Please say 'revealo' and tap the picture with your wand to see.
Sally-Anne Clearwater
Labels: Harry Potter, HSS2
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Hogwarts Sock Swap 2 (HSS2) Questionnaire
I'm a First Year in the Hogwarts Sock Swap TWO knitalong which runs from August 1 to October 31. Deputy Headmistress McGonagall has confirmed my application. Yeah!
Sign-ups started on July 14th and is filling up fast. So if you want to make and swap a pair of magical socks you can go here.
First Years are participants who didn’t enter the Hogwarts swap the first time around. Their swap packages will include: socks, a set of their pal's (house color) stitch markers and a set of sock needles.Here are my answers to Hogwarts Sock Swap Questionnaire.
What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into?
Gryffindor!
Shoe size?
8.5" US
Foot Length?
9.75" US
Foot Circumference?
9.75" US (edited: Measured from instep (largest part of the foot). Circumference of the ball of my foot is 9.125" US)
List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length.
I don't currently use double pointed. For socks, I use 2 circulars or 1 long circular. I'm really awful about dropping DPNs. But if I have to choose then...
a. Lantern Moon Sox stix any wood size 2
b. Brittany Birch size 1-2 length, 5"
c. Crystal Palace Bamboo size 2, 6"
Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length?Any of the ones listed above.
But please note. My sock circulars have bad joins so I'm ready to upgrade. ...Would love to try Addi Turbo lace circulars. Size 2, 32 inch length. Or two size 2, 24 inch length. ( A quick online search and www.yarnandfiber.com seems to have the lowest price and free worldwide shipping.)
If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference?
I'm with Gryffindor. Love the burgundy-gold combo. I also love dark colors of wine, navy, and purples. Solid or gradual color changes, or stripes. Not Jaquard.
Allergies? Do you have any? Will your knitting be exposed to smoke or animals?
No fiber or pet allergies. I have animalgus Kois guarding my knitting. Otherwise yarns are stored in plastic bags and/or in bins when not in use.
Are you an international participant (outside US)? Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal?
I'm in the US. International pal? Sure. Europe? Japan? Canada?
(My pal asked what length of sock I prefer. Calf length. Not knee socks.)
I look forward to starting my first year project. I hope the other HP fans at the home don't claim them before they're sent. It will be fun see how the house sox and book 7 develops. Whoo hoo!
Let the needles fly!
BGK
Sunday, July 15, 2007
A vist to Hogwarts!
I enjoy Rowling's HP books and have seen the latest film.
So what is a knit girl to do but to join a Hogwarts Knitalong!
This should be fun! Check it out. They're still open for applicants!
http://hogwarts-sock-swap-two.blogspot.com/
Hurry. Sign up quick. They will only take on 150 Hogwarts students!
Happy knitting,
BGK
Time at the Guild
I've been away from my site for so long.
Around January of 2006 I pitched in as an editor of the Carolinas Machine Knitters Guild (CMKG). That and along with life's busy schedule has kept me away.
Knitwise I have always kept a project on hand while traveling. With lots of UFOs still waiting for completion.
And I managed to knit a bit on my knitting machines. I usually don't get much opportunity to sit still to machine knit. And last year I knit something for submission to the CMKG yearly contest. My incentive was to knit something to qualify for a complimentary copy of the book. (No, since I'm not part of the contest staff, I'm not qualified to automatically get a copy).
What a lovely surprise last year when I placed First Place in the Beginner category.
This year I didn't have time for a timely entry. But I still put something in the contest book.
When I hunt down my knit pics over the last year. I'll post them.
Happy knitting,
BGK
