Project Spectrum 3 & Thing-a-day

Lolly is once again hosting Project Spectrum 3, and I have to say that I am really excited by this year's theme of the elements.

FEBRUARY / MARCH - FIRE- orange, red, pink

APRIL / MAY - EARTH - green, brown, metallics

JUNE / JULY - AIR - gray, white, yellow

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER - WATER - blue, black, purple

I dug into my yarn stash this afternoon to see my choices in February's colors, and I was little surprised at first to see that almost all of the yarn in this colors was sock yarn. Upon further reflection though, I guess that makes sense. I tend to me a lot more adventurous in the colors of my socks than in my sweaters.


Also today is the last day to formally sign up for the Thing-a-day Challenge. I have a few medium sized projects that I will be working on, but I am also hoping to make more squares for my crocheted sampler blanket, a few ATC's and a little bit of drawing.

HSKS4 Quidditch

Sorry to those not associated with the swap. Regular posting to recommence shortly.

1. What was Harry dreaming about the first time he woke up with his scar on fire?
b. Voldemort and Wormtail plotting to kill him

2. What is the problem with leprechaun gold?
a. It vanishes after a few hours

3. Why did Mad-Eye Moody turn Malfoy into a ferret?
c. Malfoy attached Harry when Harry's back was turned

4. Sirius warns Harry to be careful around Karkaroff because he had been a Death Eater. Which one of the professors at Hogwarts, who also used to be a Death Eater, is frequently bothered by Karkaroff?
Snape

5. Voldemort could have used the blood from any foe to make the potion that revived him work, but he held out for Harry's blood. Why?
c. The special protection Harry received from his mother would also pass to Voldemort

6. How old would Frank have been on his next birthday?
d. 77

7. Amos Diggory works for?
b. The Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures

8. Who shared a carriage with the three friends on the way from the train to Hogwarts?
Answer: Neville

9. What date in October did the delegates from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang arrive?
a. 30th

10. What color were Percy's dress robes at the Yule Ball?
a. Navy Blue

Picture Scavenger Hunt
Mr. Ollivander
Mad-Eye Moody
Cedric
World Cup Tournament
Dark Mark

Baby Quidditch Hat

After finishing the Quidditch Sweater I had about 50 yards of Comfort left. So I cast on a quick baby hat with the leftovers.

Yarn: Berroco Comfort
Needle: US 8 / 5.00 mm
Stash Down Yardage: 50 yards
Total Stash Down Mileage: 0.84 mile

This was a simple 60 st rolled brim hat, so it didn't need a pattern. I loved the look of this yarn in stockinette when I saw Blackrayne's SKB, but the stockinette highlights the softness of this yarn even more than the ribbing of the Quiditch Sweater .

You Make My Day

Oops! I went away for the weekend without checking on my Bloglines only to find that I was tagged with a You Make My Day Award by Robbyn of Yarnpath. I have to admit that was really surprised and touched by her kind words.

So now I get to award this to 10 more people who make my day. Blogging doesn't usually have to many "tangible" rewards, so it is a lot of fun to mention a few of the blogs that always perk me up when I see new posts. (Listed alphabetically by blog title.)

Ariel of Adventures in Sock Knitting - Beyond her amazingly prolific sock knitting, this lady is one smart cookie in her non-knitting life as well. Among many other great things, her knowledge and experience working with all different sock yarns and patterns is a great resource.

Diana of Bestitched - I first met Diana on a bus when we both whipped out our knitting at the same time, and I have to say that I always enjoy her posts on knitting, sewing, and her adorable daughter. She was one of the ones who really got me interested in sewing initially, so it is neat to see what she is working on.

Mrs. Pivec of Go Lightly Place - I love her thoughtful posts, full of inspiring photography and drawings. In some ways we are very different, but I always feel like we would be able to sit down with tea and sketchbooks. Visiting her blog is like dropping by with a friend.

Poppins of Handmade Homeschool - Her quiet loving support of her family shines through in her words, but she is also an inspiration in her ability to at the same time foster a creative spirit in both her self and her children.

Jessica of Ocean of Creativity - Although she has been crazy busy recently, she is usually a really productive seamstress and scrapbooker. I really like the way she plays with color and texture. I have been looking towards her work as something a step-up from the basics that I can do now, but hopefully will be able to do soon.

Rosemary of Quietish - Not only does she design amazing knitting and crochet patterns (I have knit some and more are on my queue), but I love the fact that she is so poly-craftual. There should be more general "craft blogs"out there, but this is one of my favorites.

Sketches by Fiz - I found this blog a while ago when I was surfing the blog-o-sphere, and I find her style to be incredible. I tend to like to work in a similar realistic style in pencil, and this blog is something to aspire to for me.

Julie of Stoneview - Not only does she create great knitted objects, she is also very talented in the kitchen. Every recipe that I have tried of hers has been great.

Blackrayne of Tangled in Laces... - This is one talented lady. When I first met her, she impressed me with her sewing skills, but she quickly picked up knitting and has been surprising me ever since. The last year has seen the first of what I hope will be a long run of knitting patterns, each better than the last.

Salvbard of What are you doing here? - I know I will come off a bit biased for this one, but blogging is something we do independently. So each post comes as a surprise to me. For those who don't know him, Salvbard is an engineer by trade and would probably tell you that he is by far no artist, but I think his photography gives outlet for his artist's eye.

IF: Tales and Legends

This week's Illustration Friday prompt was "Tales and Legends". Being a huge fantasy geek, my mind immediately turned to my favorite subject for legends: dragons.

I am not what is is about dragons, but I have been fascinated with them since I was little. Just like people, sometimes they are described as being helpful and sometimes malevolent. And although I fight it, I have to admit that I identify more than a little with the hoarding characterstic attributed to dragons as well.

2B pencil on plain moleskine

Usually when I sit down to draw I will look for reference photos first, but this drawing was sort of fun in that I didn't bother. Welcome to the inside of my brain.

Pattern: Seven of Hearts

I wanted to create something special for my sister's wedding. Since it was on 7-7-07, the idea for this 7-heart pair of socks was born. If you prefer though, it would be easy to make the heart panel or the ribbed cuff longer for a longer leg.

This pattern was originally created with the magic loop technique. To adapt to DPNs, you will need to divide the stitches between the needles in a way that makes sense to you. This pattern also assumes familiarity with basic sock construction and picking up stitches for a gusset.

Although I had several offers for test knitting, I have not heard back from them since July. If you find any errors in this pattern please let me know.


Sample Yarn: Art Yarns Supermerino (104yd/50g) or replace with a dk yarn

Suggested Needles: US Size 3-4s

Gauge: 13 sts/2” & 16.5 rows/2”

Finished size: This sock has a finished circumference of 8" (may be slightly less if using a dk yarn, check gauge), but the lace panel is very stretchy.

Toe:
Magic cast-on 11 sts on each needle. Increase at the beginning and end of each needle for the first 2 rounds and then every other round until there are 23 on each needle (for a total of 46)

Heart Pattern* Lace Panel:

Rnd 1: k6, yo, k2tog, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, sl1, k1, psso, yo, k6

Rnd 2 (and all even rows): knit even

Rnd 3: k7, yo, k4tog, yo, k3, yo, k4tog, yo, k7

Rnd 5: k7, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k7

Rnd 7: k6, k2tog, yo, k7, yo, sl1, k1, psso,, k6

Rnd 9: k5, k2tog, yo, k9, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k5

NOTE: On Row 1, the number of sts is increased to 25. On Row 3, it is reduced back to 23.

Heel Flap:

When you are 2-3" short of your total foot length (consider your row gauge to make this choice, 2 was ok with a fairly tight row gauge but did not have lengthwise ease), work the center 16 sts as a heel flap. Knit in stockinette for 2" or desired heel flap length ending with a WS row. Note which row you are on for the lace pattern for later!

Turn heel:

Knit 15 and turn. Purl 14 and turn. Continue with one less st in each row until there are only 6-8 sts being worked. (You should finish with a WS row.)

Gusset:
Knit across the rest of the row and pick up stitches along the left side of the heel flap. When you get to the lace panel needle, work in the next row of the chart. Then with the heel flap needle pick up the stitches along the right side of the heel flap. Feel free to mark the center stitch of this needle to mark the beginning of the round.

*Knit until 3 sts before the end of the needle (exact number of sts knit will depend on how many sts were knit in the heel flap and subsequently picked up). K2tog, k1. Work lace panel in next chart row. K1, sl 1, k1, psso, knit to center panel. Knit next lace panel row, and then knit even.* Repeat until there is once again 23 sts on the heel needle.

Leg:
Knit heel needle even and work 7 repeats of the lace chart. Continuing to work the heel needle even, work another 5 rows of the lace panel. Knit 1 row completely around before starting a 1X1 rib. Use a sewn bind-off to finish.

*Adapted from: The Ultimate Knitting Book by the editors of Vogue Knitting.

HSS3

I am joining Slytherin in another round of the Hogwarts Sock Swap! As a third year, my package will include:

• Socks in pal house colors

• Potter Journal or knitting journal HP related

• Knitting Needles

• Potter inspired knitting pattern

Questionnaire
1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into? Slytherin

2. List your favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length. Or would you prefer circulars? I often use circulars, but metal is more important than any other characteristic.

3. Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length? surprise me

4. If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference? NA

5. Do you have any allergies? me= mold, my partner=cats

6. Do you smoke? no

7. Do you have cats? no

8. Would you like and international pal if possible? I am up for it ;)

9. Do you have a preference on the size of your stitch makers, fit a larger or smaller needle? not really


Also I am going to take t his moment to post my ansers for the Parseltongue Challenge over at HSKS4.

Power hungry Slytherin
loved those of great ambition.

~Sorting Hat's Song in Goblet of Fire

In Slytherin you'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.

~Sorting Hat's Song in Sorcerer's Stone

There is no good and evil, there is only power and
those too weak to seek it.
~Quirrell to Harry in Sorcerer's Stone (book)

Beaded Cabochon

The other neat crafty thing that I did this past weekend was to take a beading workshop. There we learned to make beaded cabochons. These are so strangely addictive! The pink cabochon in the center is not held with any glue, just the beads around it.


I stopped by the Beadworks today to pick up some supplies for an idea I have for using this technique. I don't dare to say more until I figure out if it will work.

Warmer Winters

I went to a great panel on Friday sponsored by Warmer Winters, a non-profit local charity, providing warm clothing to local people in need.

This was our lovely hostess Janet, who masterminded the programming.


She provided needles and bags (both that she made herself!) to those wishing to make scarves over con for Warmer Winters, and then each person was given a skein of Lionsbrand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick and instructed to cast-on 12 sts and knit garter stitch until they ran out of yarn.

Stash-wise this meant I was given 108 yards (which I promptly knit into the scarf below), but I also gave away 328 yards of Red Heart Baby Soft to a crocheter who wanted a sports-weight yarn, so we are still making progress on the stash.

Yarn: Lionsbrand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Claret 640-143
Needle: US 15 / 3.75 mm
Stash Down Yardage: 108 yards
Total Stash Down Mileage: 0.81 mile

This is actually my first garter stitch scarf. Odd, but true! Although I did a garter stitch swatch when I learned to knit, I then started on a ribbed scarf to figure out purling.

FO: Quidditch Sweater

Yes I am finally posting this FO, but it has seen much love the last several days.

Yarn: Berroco Comfort
Needle: US 5 / 3.75 mm
Pattern: Quidditch Sweater by Anne Bergeron
Pattern Source: Charmed Knits
Stash Down Yardage: 1209.6 yards
Total Stash Down Mileage: 0.75 mile

I made the XS size, which theoretically produces a finished garment size with a 34" bust lightly blocked (which I can't do with this yarn well anyways), because I was completely unwilling to knit an entirely ribbed sweater with 2" of positive ease. I have curves, darn it! The final result has some definite negative ease, but in a happy curvy way.

If you would like to make a similarly negative ease sweater, it is important to remember to add extra length though. This extra length meant that this size used as much yarn as if I had cast on the "correct" number of stitches for my size. I just tried my sweater on compulsively to make sure that the length was okay for each step. I increased the sleeves up to my nominal size, though, because no one wants their upper arms to look like sausages. Then it was easy to follow the sleevecap instructions for that size.

My other major modifications for this was to knit everything in the round that I could. This included the front and back up until the arm hole shaping and the sleeves until the sleeve cap. I did run just slightly short on the grey for the sleeves, which I knit two-at-once, but after accounting for the larger negative ease at the bust, it was fine.

The yarn I am somewhat torn over. The finished result is lovely and feels great, but it was also a bit of a pain to work with. It is not plied; there are just 8 or so strands twisted together. That means that it tended to split if you weren't paying attention. It has great sproingy-ness but would also tend to coil back on itself if given half a chance. The most annoying part was the number of knots though. Out of 6 balls I found 3 knots, more if you count the places where only one or two strands had been knotted together.

So over-all consensus? Great project, it is something I will wear to both fandom events and not. There were some dull and annoying parts to knitting it, but I am in love with the finished product. I can't see myself making another one soon, but if something happened to this one I would consider it.

Back from Arisia

I'm back from the con! I admit to being a bit tired, but overall I am in good spirits and had a great time. There is much crafty stuff to share from the last few days, but honestly I am a bit too tired now and it would be long if done in just one post. So I will try to break it up a bit later.

For now I will just leave you with a pencil drawing of the skyline that I did while Chiquita was having her face painted this afternoon.

And since Salvbard liked it I will include a photo I took from the same spot.


Although I did my above drawing in person, I also took a reference photo to work from later since it was a great view from that high up on the Cambridge side of the Charles. I slightly misjudged my scale in the sketch, so I wasn't quite able to include the Citgo sign, though. Maybe it will find it's way into something else; I already have thoughts brewing with it.

The Great Radish Famine

Sweater is done, but as Salvbard has an incredibly nasty stomach bug/food poisoning there will be no pictures of me in it quite yet. Soon though! In the mean time I was left a comment that "The Great Radish Famine" is indeed on YouTube. I am posting all three parts here for those interested, but the Doozer Knitting Song is a couple minutes into Part 2.

Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:

What is Not on the Needles

The question is not "what is on the needles" this wednesday, but rather what is not on the needles: the Quidditch Sweater!


(Yes, I am aware that ribbed sweaters look silly unblocked and off the body.) I'm not done yet, but the knitting is completed. Now I just have to seam the sleeves onto the body by Friday afternoon.

Naughty Nurse Cap

And now for something completely silly. My sister got me a copy of Naughty Needles for Christmas, and although there are many things that I would never make in it, I was oddly tempted to make the "Nursie".

But why you ask? Well there is this great group of people called the Heinlein Society, and this will be the third year I have helped out with promoting their blood drive at Arisia as a Naughty Nurse. Good people doing good work and having a great time.

Pattern: Nursie
Pattern Source: Naughty Needles by Nikol Lohr
Yarn: Cascade 220 Wool in white
Supplier: Woolcott & Co
Yarn: Knit Picks Pallette in red
Supplier: Knit Picks
Needle: US 15 / 10.0 mm
Stash Down Yardage: 115 yards

As an added bonus this project meant that I got to break in a needle felting set that I hadn't used yet. So I grabbed a random skein of Cascade 220 held doubled, and I was off. I have a freakishly small head, if anyone else was to do this I would recommend triple stranding the yarn.

And as the pattern gives no hints about actually wearing this, I have to say that if you can find them you would be a lot happier with Amish hair pins than bobby pins. You can stick them right through the felt to really secure it well, since they have pointer tips.

Snow Day

I got emails early this morning that both my school and Chiquita's were canceled due to the weather, so we were free to snuggle up inside together. This was the weather around 10 am:


I am anxiously knitting away on the sleeves for the Quidditch sweater. The amount of grey for the stripe is going to be really close, but I will find out if I have enough tomorrow. If not it will just be slightly smaller, as there is not enough time to order more. (I bought this yarn at the Knitting Room, which is now closed.)

In other knitting news, we were watching the an episode of the first season of Fraggle Rock, specifically The Great Radish Famine. I do not remember this episode at all! All the radishes disappear and as a result the Doozers can't build anymore, so they all learn to knit. I can't find any versions online, but it is totally worth a lot solely for the Doozer Knitting Song.

No Crafting Today

I didn't get a much crafting done today, but I did get to see this lovely lady for a special day.


We are back from the baptism now though, and the snow starts falling tonight. The weather looks like it will be perfect for staying home and doing a little crafting with Chiquita.

Camera Case Recipe

Another Ravelry member asked if I would be willing to write up the pattern for the camera case that I made my mom last year. Because each camera is different though, this is sort of a tricky task. They best way to make this is to follow the recipe below rather than a written out pattern. Sorry!


Recipe
Do a gauge swatch for stockinette in the round: (sts)_____/(unit length)_________
Measure the distance around the camera in a roughly vertical way.
(distance around camera)____________ X 0.9 = ____________ = x
Measure across the back of the camera vertically.
(distance around camera)____________ X 0.9 = ____________ = y

Cast on number of stitches in last step. Work flat in seed stitch 2-3 rows. In the next row bind off the middle 3 sts (you can make this bigger or smaller based on how big your button is). On the following row, continue in pattern but cast on (using a backwards loop cast-on) the same number of stitches that you just cast off when you get to the missing sts. Continue in seed stitch for another 2-3 rows.

For the rest of the flap work in seed stitch for the first and last 4 sts and stockinette for the middle portion of each row. Work flap until it is long enough to cover the side of the camera with the seed stitch edge folded over (where it will later button). [End on a right side row]
Find x - y = ______= z

Cast on "z" stitches using a backwards loop cast on. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker at first sts of new round. Work all sts previously worked in seed stitch and newly cast on sts in seed stitch. Work stitches worked in stockinette in stockinette. Do this for 6-8 rows, then work all sts in remaining length of camera in stockinette. You can slide the camera in to check the fit after you work some stockinette. The fit should be slightly snug.

Decrease after marker. *Knit y-2=_____ sts. Place marker and decrease again. Knit (x-2y)/2= ___sts.* Place marker and repeat steps between *s. Knit even 1 round.
Decrease after each marker on ever other round until there are no more stitches between 2 of the sets of st markers. Kitchener remaining stitches.

Sew on button and weave in all ends.

Stitch

This week's Illustratation Friday prompt was "stitch." Obviously this was one I couldn't skip. Sometimes I have to force myself to sit down and work on the IF, but sometimes, like today, the image of what I want to do springs full formed into my mind.

drawn with a size 0.7 Staedtler pigment liner in a plain moleskine

Knitting is huge in my life right now, but I really enjoy crochet too. And finally needlepoint, which I haven't done all that much of this year, but I do really like to do. (Needle crafts shown in alphabetical order to avoid favoritism.) Stitches are so fundamental to a lot of my crafting. On tiny creation building upon another until you are holding a finished object. As the YarnHarlot points out, it gives you hope that any small action or any individual can make a difference.

WIP: Quidditch Sweater

Ok so here is finally a photo of the Quidditch sweater in progress. This is at 3.5 balls of Comfort into the project. The deadline for completion is just over a week away, which seems doable.

Love it! This is the body and collar, with shoulders already seamed. The pattern called for a backstitched seam, which I had never done before, but it turned out ok I guess. I somewhat suspect that most seams are going to be less than perfection in a rib pattern. As it is the ribs line up, and the seams don't look horrible.

I have the sleeves started, but I am a little nervous about fitting a ribbed sleeve cap in. Worst case scenario maybe we could just call it a Quidditch vest?

~0.5 Slytherin Afghan

I know I haven't given an update on my Slytherin ripple afghan in a while, but it doesn't look all that much different. (Blanket is still folded in half for photos.)


There are a few new stripes, and it is now big enough to completely cover my legs while I work. Often this is a really nice characteristic, but in the last few days I have been completely uninterested in such a thing. And so it languishes.

Park Bench Knitting

What an amazingly beautiful day. I am so glad that I took Chiquita out sledding yesterday on one of the last few snowy hills, because today they were all water-logged with snow-melt. Not only did I get a chance to air out the house, but I could walk around outside without being bundled in nearly every woolen I own. (What did I do before wool hand-knits?!) It was so nice that I got a chance to sit outside in a 3/4 length sleeve shirt and knit at the park while Chiquita played with a friend.


Look at that view of Boston! I love this city. Sadly you get no in progress pictures today. The body of a sweater in the round is not terribly exciting, but I will share photos of it soon anyways.

Fishy Fleece Blanket

I started this blanket many, many months ago. An embarrassingly long time ago in fact. It was way back in April, when it would have been perfect for the pink, yellow and green Project Spectrum theme. But by finishing it now, it will be just in time for my niece's Christening next weekend, and it matches her cotton candy sweater perfectly.


I love this fabric. I picked it up at the Fabric Corner; I always have good luck there.


The instructions are simple. Buy half a yard of fleece. Round of the corners. Throw a blanket stitch edging on it by hand, and you are done. (I used the DMC Pearl Cotton in color 334 because it is plied and is nicer to work with for something like this than embroidery floss.)

Getting Organized

It is funny how this time of year brings out the organizer in so many of us. January seems time to reassess our goals and our tools we have to get us there. To that end I recently cataloged my stash, which allowed me at the same time to re-organize all my yarn. Think of my amusement then to discover that the theme of this week's church service was getting organized (with a reading from "It's Hard to Make a Difference When You Can't Find Your Car Keys" by Marilyn Paul and discussion of the Story of Stuff website).


This is my main yarn stash. It fits under my (twin) bed width-wise and holds basically anything that is not "sock-yarn" (ie fingering or dk weight yarns).


Yardage-wise though this second bin is the source of my excess. The types of sock yarn that come in just one hank or ball are at the bottom, while matching dyelots are paired in plastic bags. Right now these bags do not fit neatly in with the lid closed, which is my ultimate goal. I counted that there was about 70 pairs worth, but with all of this "sock" yarn my stash total comes to 41.75 miles (67.19 km). Figuring that I knit 21 pairs this past year, this puts me at about 3.5 years of sock yarn stashed.

And They're Off

So I've joined a group on Ravelry called Stash Knit Down 2008. After entering all my stash except for the yarn for WIPs I am super excited about working with it. I would like it to fit in my two plastic bins a little more neatly, but for me this is more about getting the chance to rediscover yarns I love in my stash.

The SKD08 group tries to help keep everyone motivated by setting up challenges, and starting today until February 19th(the duration of the FIRST robotics competition for those who are curious) the challenge is to knit/crochet/spin a mile of yarn. I didn't do so well trying to do a mile in a month during Lime and Violet's sock marathon last year, but here going nothing.

I am starting off with a Quidditch Sweater from Charmed Knits in Berrocco Comfort. I hope to wear it to Arisia, so I need to get cracking.

Work Fiber

Salvbard came home from work with a surprise this week. Fiber!


Apparently one of his co-workers has some sort of connection with a llama farm, but there was also a bunch of angora fiber and Romney too. It is all already washed and carded, and I love the natural colors. To the spinning wheel!

Mitered Stories

I don't think I ever posted a photo of my scrap sock yarn blanket, although I have mentioned it in passing before. As I just finished a row of miters, I thought this might be a good time to do so though. It is made of a mixture of machine washable sock and dk weight yarns, but there is not other criteria to its components.

I know that some people go around asking for sock yarn leftovers for this type of blanket, but all of the yarns in mine are from projects I have finished. This means that progress tends to be abysmally slow, since I have to wait for a finished project for new colors, but I love that each yarn helps tell a story. As it has gotten larger, Chiquita has started coming up to me when I have it out and asks me "what is this one's story?" Some of them she recognizes as "her" yarns: yarns that I used for socks for her. Others she has seen on the feet or babies of people she knows.

Recently we were talking about how very long it may take me to finish it, since she has already laid claim to it someday. Half jokingly I told her it might take the rest of my life, but that that was okay too. She thought about it seriously for a moment, and then told me, "Momma, if you don't finish it, then maybe someday I will... but not too soon, because I don't know how and it looks hard. You will have to teach me when I am much older." I guess I might have to at that. It is good to know that both the skills and the stories will be kept though.

New Slytherin yarn

I stopped by Mind's Eye Yarns to pick up my sock club yarn a little while back and discovered that she has a lovely new base yarn. (Also available from her etsy shop if you aren't local to Cambridge.)

It is a superwash dk merino yarn, available in house colors among other colorways, and I lurves it. At 490yds/8oz, the yardage is really generous too, so you could definitely make a child's sweater or something out of it you wanted to. It is so squishy and wonderful, that I can't wait to cast it on. (Must finish current project first.) I am thinking of nice, thick knee socks for the winter, myself.

Socks ATC

The December prompt for the Creative Mom Podcast Artist Trading Card swap was "gift". And I know my recipient is an avid Harry Potter fan. So it was only natural that I wanted to combine these two things. I was thinking about what my favorite gift that was given in the series, and the answer was quick to come to mind.

Although Mrs. Weasley is famous for her knitting, there is another knitter who knit Christmas gifts: Dobby! (Actually there are 2-3 more knitters if you count Hagrid's "circus tent" he was knitting on the train, Hermione's SPEW knitting, and Dumbledore's love of reading knitting patterns, but I cannot attest to whether or not they knit Christmas gifts.)

This ATC was worked on cardstock in watercolor.


Socks seen here:

• Vernon's sock ("foul" "mustard-yellow" and "extra knobbly") that Harry gave to Dobby
• One red sock with broomsticks and one green sock with Snitches, that Dobby knit for Harry, after buying the wool from the wages he is now free to earn
• the black "slimy" sock that Harry gave Dobby that won him his freedom - a bit grey from the wash?
  
• a violet sock from the pair that Ron gave Dobby (knit by Mrs. Weasley)
• an orange tube sock - because I can see Dobby doing tube socks at first before figuring out how to turn a heel
• a blue Jaywalker - because muggles aren't the only ones who fell in love with this pattern
• and finally a yellow sock in progress