Knits: Summertime Fling

Harry Potter Knit Crochet House Cup
Charms November 2009

Repelling and Sheilding
either
Impervius
This charm makes something repel substances and outside forces, including water.
Create an item to repel something for example - water, food, crazy stalker guy, Mother-in-law, etc. Explain what it repels and why you need to repel it.
(and remember what repels one might be welcomed by another)

or

Protego - The Shield Charm

The shield charm causes minor to strong jinxes, curses, and hexes to rebound upon the attacker, or at least prevents them from having their full effect. It can also cause a shield to erupt from the caster’s wand.

create something as a gift to shield the recipient from harm…e.g. someone who gets a lot of colds - create something to help stop them getting colds.


A quick to knit shawl, pattern from Knitting Nation in Nyack. The pattern is called Knittergirls's Summer Fling and shows off variegated colorways in a pleasing drop stitch. Knit from one 400 yard skein doubled of Brooks Farm Ellie from this year's Rhinebeck, this shawl could easily be knit with 200 yards handspun for a lighter loftier version.

Sylvi Flowers

It's difficult to take a picture of a full length sweater coat by yourself! Sylvi done and petals sewn on.

Angel Oracle October 2009

CAREER TRANSITION
ARCHANGEL CHAMUEL

You have been seeking career guidance and you are about to enter a period of change. This can be stressful on the surface, as much of the future detail is missing from the equation, but have faith that the end outcome is the answer to your prayers. Pay special attention to repetitive dreams and signs that surround you at the moment, don't ignore them and follow their lead.

On the Saturn Pluto Cardinal Square

Been contemplating this square for a while now.

It's first hit is November 15th 2009 but I began feeling this aspect approaching for weeks, increased tension, life has gotten harder, pessimistic, provoking, highlighting the need for tenacity and strength.

I'm nose to the grindstone, working hard and playing hard, taking time to create with my hands and spend time with friends, studying and remaining open to the impending changes as the aspect crests my Ascendant- going to run into Saturn and Pluto's arms and let them lead me forward to a new level.

Resistance is futile.
This cardinal square will drag you along by your hair if you fight it's lessons. Mine are 9th/12th house which are actually pleasant concerns but by whole sign, 1st/10th house- which are more tense, applying gathered knowledge in career, working with obstacles, finding calm through the strife.
Definitely a personal revolution.

Astrology Chart Calculation Preparation

$136.26 later, I've ordered the books I'll need for the Level 1 NCGR Exam.
I sat in on Ken Kimball's Calculation class this weekend and have homework to get to.
I do have what I need to do the homework chart, Marlon Brando. We did the charts for Joan Sutherland, Frank Sinatra and Zsa Zsa Gabor. I suppose I could check to see who else was born that year and calculate those charts for practice with the charts and tables I have already in the packet Ken provided.

The New American Ephemeris for the 20th Century, 1900-2000 at Midnight - Rique Pottenger
$29.95 - Quantity: 1 - In Stock - Amazon Prime: Two-Day Shipping is free
Condition: New
Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC
Gift options None

Simply Math: A Comprehensive Guide to Easy & Accurate Chart Calculation - Lauran Fowks; Lynn Sellon
$39.95 - Quantity: 1 - In Stock - Amazon Prime: Two-Day Shipping is free
Condition: New

Estimated ship date for this item: October 13, 2009 - October 14, 2009
The International Atlas, 6th Edition - Thomas G. Shanks
$19.99
$3.99 shipping and handling

AFA Tables of Houses; Koch System - American Federation Of Astrologers
$11.74 - Sold by: seashellbooks_inc
$3.99 shipping and handling

The American Atlas, Expanded 5th Edition - Thomas G. Shanks
$10.45 - Sold by: seashellbooks_inc
$3.99 shippng and handling

Winterizing the Hive: Feeders

Entrance Feeder:










Division Board Feeder:




Hive Wrap:










Poly Top Feeder:



Plastic Top Feeder:



Bee Food Patty:



Two Gallon Feeder:

So She Spins

This song was written for my friend Marie by her Husband Vin. So beautiful it gave me goosebumps.

Harry Potter Knit Crochet House Cup: Quidditch 09

First Crochet Lapghan for Quidditch

Welcome to The QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP!!!!!

The chaotic Team Formation Stage is fast and furious, Quidditch fans!
If you are having trouble completing your team, please see this post for the ruling on what to do.
Teams
Seven members of HPKCHC
At least one active member from each house
At least one active member from each term
EXCEPTION: NQFYs may form all-NQFY teams!
EXCEPTION: Fourth-years are quite underrepresented this term and may be replaced with NQFYs or alumni (former players on a term off) only!
EXCEPTION: Third-years are a bit scarce and their slot may be filled by a 2nd year + a 1st year or three 1sties. Total number of years of subs = 3.
Individuals may only join one team.

Teams will choose an identity in keeping with our beloved Potter-universe, including name, colors, and symbol. The Coaches will squee if you also have a team history. Team members are encouraged to show their team pride.

World Cup Teams may not represent any Hogwarts House. They may represent any country, location, or concept (the Fighting Artichokes will be welcomed with open arms!)

Team members will include a Keeper who posts now and then in the Quidditch thread to let us all know what’s going on with your team. (There is no cheering-for-points, but if I’m stuck all alone on an empty Quidditch pitch, I’ll cry, so Keepers please do stuff like announce your team and cheer them on and show your colors!)(and please do use this thread to form up your teams if you like!)

Team members will include a Seeker who posts the final, snitch-catching, point-earning post with explanations and photos.

Other team members may name themselves Beaters and Seekers as the team pleases

The team is encouraged to choose one of its members as Captain to have organizing and communication duties.

Note that not all members of the team must craft - if one person simply donates the stash or materials and the whole team is in agreement that that is a significant and adequate team contribution, then it’s all good.

Charitable causes are loosely defined.
Crafting

Knit, Crochet, or Spinning. Sewing or quilting. Needlepoint or Embroidery or Cross-Stitch
Other crafts should be checked with the Coach or Assistant Coach before crafting begins, including a link to an example of the craft just in case Coach has never heard of Old-Form Tunisian Latch Quilling.

Items may directly benefit the cause - like the Chemo-Cap-Along in honor of the KnittingFairy.

Items may indirectly benefit the cause - like selling a basketful of Pink Ribbon Scarves at the Breast Cancer Awareness Event and handing the $ immediately over to the fund (and I mean immediately, I get all worried and nauseous when there’s money that’s supposed to go somewhere but it isn’t there yet).

Individuals on the team may contribute in any way the team agrees - knitting, crocheting, donating stash, spinning the stash, running the booth, picking the latches out of the Tunisian quills…

Points

Will be awarded to team members equally - and will go to their house if they are a current HPKCHC student. NQFYs and alumni may polish their points and keep them on the mantel.
Will only be awarded for the Seeker’s end of term post before the end of term, PrincessOnica time (early posts will be greatefully received).

Winning posts will include:
–An earburn to the Coach and Assistant Coach
–Names and Houses/status of all players, demonstrating the every House/every year rule or citing the NQFY exception
–Description of team name, colors, history, and charity including links if there are any
–Description of the team’s activities (Keeper Annie wrote the update posts, Beaters Fred and George made the Squares, Chasers X, Y, and Z picked the quills out of Tunisian porcupines, Seeker Harry crocheted them all together)
–Photo or photo montage of the finished crafted objects
–A line or two about the donation - “it’s in the mail” or “we each went to our local hospitals and handed over the caps and here’s a picture of the very excited nurse at the Prenatal-ICU…”
-Teams will receive 525 points (75 points per person) for a Seeker post meeting these standards.
-Teams or individuals may receive 5 bonus points for unusually skilled and/or voluminous crafting, for being excellent to each other and other teams, and for spirit & style. There is a secret-point-garnering method.
-Teams may nominate one member (named in the Seeker post, but if it’s the Seeker, someone else confirm, please) as MVP to receive a 15 point bonus.

Harry Potter Knit Crochet House Cup: Defense of the Dark Arts 09

“What I Fought On My Summer Holidays” - It’s September! The month for the traditional back-to-school essay about what you did on your summer holidays. Explain and show an example of which spell you practiced, creepy creature you fought, or scary Death Eater plot you unraveled over the summer holidays. Extra points for house colors, making the prof laugh, or being especially awesome.

theShizzknit for Ravenclaw turning in assignment to Prof Scarlettb for “What I Fought on my Summer Holidays”:

She had an eerie feeling she was being followed. Oddly, only at mealtimes. The end of Spring term had come and Summer was soon approaching. She had decided to stay on for the Summer semester and would sit down to eat in the great hall with the few other students that had stayed behind. Often she would feel a pall being cast over her, a great blue green shadow hovering over her, and hear a low rumbling grumble.

She tried to ignore it. What could it be? Nothing malevolent she thought.
Still, the hair on the back of her neck began to standing on end when she felt herself being watched.

She’d been alone often enough at odd hours to grab a random apple or slice of jam bread late at night while studying and felt the presence of a dark shadow. Fighting down her fear, she realized no harm had come to her at any of those moments.
What could it be? What could it want?

She thought hard.
What did I want when visiting the kitchens and chatting with the house elves?
Snacks of course!

Well then, that must be what it was. Simple. The shadow was hungry.

She took to leaving little morsels about, checking back in the corners to see if mice were getting to them.
Instead she would first hear the low throaty growl and then see the massive blue green hide swiftly pass and leave, the tidbit gone. She took to leaving larger portions to find left behind the tiny bones from a chicken wing or a random edge of bread crust. She got to cutting off the bread crusts and leaving more than a few finger sandwiches from afternoon tea.
Just last week she had been able to get a turkey leg for the shadow to find its large bone left behind, glowing and white, all bits of meat completely gnawed clean off. Wow, she thought, its getting quite a good appetite!

In the meantime, the season had grown increasingly hot and she was looking forward to the final tests and going home for a short visit before the Autumn term began. She continued to leave meals, large and small, at odd corners throughout the castle as the semester drew on near to a close.

She would hide and spy to see that the shadow had been growing larger and larger. One evening while watching the shadow eat she shivered, fussed and cussed, “Drat! It’s always so chilly and drafty in the corners of the castle even in Summer time!” Her complaints must have startled the shadow beast as it scurried off after first turning towards her, tipping an ear to one side.

One day she noticed that the beast’s pelt appeared slack and slovenly against its form. She realized it was molting!
The beast had grown to a new size and it was shedding!
She got up as close to it as she dared and caught the twinkle in the animal’s eyes, one bright blue, the other a sparkling green, as it peered over its shoulder at her. It slipped off it’s now too small skin, lowered its head in a deep bow to her in thanks and scampered off.

What an amazing furry coat! What an amazing creature!
She took the pelt to the Ravenclaw common room where she was quickly surrounded by other students, Mandy Brocklehurst, Terry Boot and Eddie Carmichael. They all began slapping and pounding her on the back, shouting,” That’s fantastic! How wonderful! A Bluebacked Greengrumble Sneakysnack!! Do you know how uncommon that pelt is? They say they only molt once every 200 years and only if they have been properly fed during their rare molting season! What a find!!”

They all helped her soak the furry remnant in the tub, rinse and then give it a good hot soapy soaking wash followed by a few clear rinsing soaks. They gingerly squeezed out the water to prevent felting and and spread open the pelt outside to allow each of the individual blue and green locks to dry untangled. She wove the colorful furry locks into a warm wrap around scarf which she wore on the first chill day of September’s new term, along with a smile on her face as she recalled the thoughtfulness of the Sneakysnack who had become her Summer term shadow friend.

Harry Potter Knit Crochet House Cup: Tranfiguration 09

Clapotis BEFORE

Clapotis AFTER

“Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned.”

Jumping right into the fall term with both feet, we will begin by attempting some of the most mystical and mysterious Transfigurations there are. This, students, is the process of blocking.

Blocking is a form of alchemical Transfiguration, that takes your knitting and crocheted items from mundane to ethereal.

Your assignment this month is to knit or crochet an item, and then Transfigure it, through blocking, into a work of art. Lace is always a good bet for a nice block, but really anything can be blocked - hats, socks, baby booties, sweaters, etc. The requirements are thus:

~You MUST post pre- and post-blocking photos of your item. Photos during the blocking process will earn you bonus points, as will House colors and large items, as always, and the professor’s whim.

~The item must LOOK significantly different after being blocked - stitches must be smoother, item must have a better shape, something like that.

If you’ve never attempted this most elegant of knitting magic, now is the perfect opportunity to start!

Your Professor is DevonC and her assistants are Sea-Jelly and fibernut.

STUDENTS: Please do not over-think this project. It is the professor’s belief that almost ANYTHING can be improved by blocking! It does NOT have to be lace!

Harry Potter Knit Crochet House Cup: Herbology 09

My handspun bamboo and merino with mohair Mrs. Beaton's.


This month’s topic is a research project. Your task is to create something based on plants and their fibers. You may choose ONE of the following three options.

For knitters and crocheters: Your yarn must be 50% or more from plant origin, ie. bamboo, cotton, hemp, corn. Post must contain brand and fiber content, picture of finished object, and a description of what it was like to work with and how it affects the project. Points awarded based on complexity of project, wit, originality, and evilness. (Trying to bring the evilness into Herbology. Not as easy as it seems, folks, short of having everyone knit with Devil’s Snare…)

Spinners: Spin up some stuff using plant fibers. Blend if you want, not going below 50% of planty goodness, and describe how the resulting yarn seems to behave when you knit/crochet up. A picture of a swatch or very small project is required. (Cell phone cozy, coaster, wristie… etc.)

Dyers: YOU, and you alone, can use whatever fiber you want. Wool? Go ‘head. Alpaca? Bring it. Your DYE must be plant based. (I have researched thoroughly - there is no Kool-Aid tree.) Post must describe source of dye, how you got your results, pic of result, and any other witty anecdotes as well as a picture of a swatch or very small project is required. (Cell phone cozy, coaster, wristie… etc.) If you ever wanted to go old school with your dying (indigo or woad, anyone?) this is the chance to stink your house up. Oooo, that could qualify as evil….

Harry Potter Knit Crochet House Cup: Charms 09

Waterfall Shawl


Aguamenti - The Water Charm

Aguamenti is the charm used to put out fires/ create water to drink. It is first named in Half-Blood Prince, when Harry is being taught how to perform this specific charm in Professor Flitwick’s class. Later Harry casts this spell in an attempt to create water for Dumbledore to drink after taking Voldemort’s potion and then to douse Hagrid’s hut after it is set on fire later.

So your task is to either

a) create something water related, be it colours, waves etc.
or
b) create something a little more literal like a goblet, something that imitates the jets of water or a fire hose (firemen optional but welcome and yes the professor knows where some minds will take this one and that is also fine :D)

If in doubt, ask. If you’re not sure a project would qualify, we will help you to tweak anything so that it does.

Bonus points will NOT be given for house colours since this is too skewed towards Ravenclaws and Slytherins this month. Bonus points will be awarded for a number of reasons, amongst them, making the professor laugh, large/complicated projects etc.

Your teacher this term is cattiekins and her assistants are mlledefarge and Mauri.

ETA Link to ruling on Creatures
ETA 2 - water bottle cozys/slings etc are acceptable
ETA 3 - sewing projects will be agreed to on a project by project basis, run it past me first - Cattiekins

We will be randomly checking projects, please make sure you have all the start and finish dates noted please :D

Filati Bertagna Fiocco

Knitting a Wild At Heart Boa with Filati Bertagna Fiocco from Rhinebeck 2007 Little Barn Stash. It's a new experience knitting with this crazy fun fur speckled yarn.

I've woven a scarf with this novelty yarn and it resulted in a very interesting woven piece. Also very tickley. I may rock the scarf at Rhinebeck this year.

Brookfield Craft Center Yarn + Weaving Equipment September Sale

Yarn & Equipment Sale at Brookfield Craft Center LTB Studio
Sept 26-27 (10:00am-4:00pm) Sat/Sun


The bi-annual sale features an exciting selection of new yarns and gently used weaving equipment. Plan to come early to choose your treasures.

Yarns
All types, colors and sizes for weaving and knitting, most in original packaging.
Gently Used Weaving Equipment

Reeds in various lengths and sizes
Shuttles (all types)
Warping boards - LeClerc, Harrisville, Schacht
inkle looms
30" tapestry loom
Rigid heddle loom
Leclerc Dorothy table loom
Harrisville 4 harness 36" wide floor loom
Tools of the Trade table top loom, 4 harness 28" weaving width
Macomber 10 harness 33" weaving width
Macomber 10 harness 50" weaving width